Calvert Cliffs State Park - Smaller Loop

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Calvert Cliffs State Park

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Calvert Cliffs State Park - Smaller Loop

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.7 miles / 6.0 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

Family Friendly • Dog Friendly

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Overview: Great cliffs that have been molded right on the beach of the bay!

This hike is listed as moderate only for the length of the hike, and for the bugs that will be present in summertime.

Suggested to hike this one counterclockwise, choose the loop to the right on the red trail, and come back on the same trail or on the red right trail as shown on the GPS data track (which is a steeper trail with less views).

starting from the trailhead parking lot, we choose the right path, many muddy places if right after a rainy day. no need to get muddy however, as there are plenty of mud portage sections carved into the wilderness :-)

The right trail continues past a broken boardwalk which has been reclaimed by nature, and follows a small creek which filters into a large water holding area--that is home to many forms of wildlife and fauna.

Beavers may be found here, as well as some type of water lillies (that resemble cabbage).

Continuing along the 1.8 mile half loop to the beach, you will encounter many more boardwalks and more water on the right side of you.

Finally encountering the beach cliffs (will be to the north of you) some areas are marked as off limits, however there is ample room to walk on the beach for miles. The beach has fauna as well and place to make a picnic. It is also pet friendly. You can swim too.

Coming back along the northern (right side goning counterclockwise) trail, you will encounter more steep sections and less views than before. The service road is another option to take on this hike making it a bigger loop of approx 4.8 miles. However if you stay on the red return northern loop trail as shown in the GPS data points, then its about 3.7 miles total for this loop.

Beware of bugs in the summertime as there is standing water, the pictures were all taken early april.

Take water with you as 3.7 miles will still get you working up a sweat, especially with some steep sections on the northen trail.

This trail would make a great trailrunning as long as it hasnt rained recently.

Tips: Pretty easy hike, just watch for the distance if you can do it. If you cant do steep sections then stick to the southern (right) part of the loop and come back the same way you started. Pet friendly hike.

bring water especially in summertime

bug spray in summer! there is standing water

pet friendly

costs $5 to enter, this is a state park

follow rules for cliffs area that are posted

bring a bathing suit

Points of Interest

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loop maps at the parking lot

this shows the various other loops for longer hikes, which can be found on a bulletin board in the parking lot

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Start of trail, good fishing spot

The start of the trail with boardwalk, a great fishing spot

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intersection of red trail

This is the 1st intersection for the red trail loop and others. Should stay on the right hand side and do this one counterclockwise.

You can stay on the right hand side for an easier hike of 1.8 miles each way.

The left hand side has some steeper elevation changes but isnt that difficult to do.

So total loop is approx 3.7 miles on the RED trail which is well marked on the trees and signs.

You can do a bigger loop by taking the service road back, that would give you approx 4.8 miles total.

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small stream crossings

Several small stream crossings on boardwalks.

Muddy in places if after a recent rain.

Bugs will carry you away from standing water in marshy areas in summer.

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view of trail

view showing trail section, mostly flat for this side of the loop

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The message tree!

This is a tree with tons of carved names in it....

hearts... broken hearts... the works!

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Small water flows along the creek

Small waterflows along the creek, some small dams too

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Trail section view

another trail shot showing some muddyish conditions after rains. dont slip!

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wider stream here

here the stream gets wider and wider and the marsh becomes prominent.

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View of the brush

View of the brush, still thick at times

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Boardwalk into marsh

This is a currently closed boardwalk that has been reclaimed by the marshy area that the creek flows into.

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Old tree with water

Great old trees branching out into the path, the path curving with the water flow

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Mirror in the lake

the mirrored reflection can be seen here of the mostly sparse trees of an early April hike.

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Curvy boardwalk to the beach

Almost to the beach, the curvy boardwalk takes us the last few hundred yards.

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more water views, look for beavers

more water views here, look for beaver houses and beaver dams!

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Calvert cliffs looking north

the cliffs looking north on the beach, you can walk along the beach and swim too, pet friendly beach

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beach looking south

this is the beach looking south, youll find some beach vegetation and a great place for a walk along the water edge

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small dam

small dam in the streem

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uphill now

going counterclockwise youll be heading uphill here. stick to the wide trail, this is the red trail smaller loop that makes the total hike 3.7 miles. there are smaller trails off to the sides of this one, and the bigger loop trails of the service road which is 3 miles back to the parking lot for a total of 4.8 miles approx.

the hike gets a little tougher here, with steep sections on a flat trail... no rocks. just muddy trails if after a rain.

yep the bugs will carry you away since this is a still water area... so beware in summer months!