At a Glance

Hours: Sunrise to sunset, daily.

Cost: Free.

Tips: The trail is packed stone-dust and generally has a good surface, but waterproof boots can be useful if exploring side trails. ■ Weekday mornings are the best time to bird. Early morning on the weekend can be good, with only light bicycle traffic and/or runners. ■ The trail is wheelchair-accessible. ■ Portable restrooms are available at Paper Mill, Sparks, Monkton, White Hall, and Bentley Springs. The permanent restroom at Freeland is closed but there is now a portable restroom there.

Best Seasons: Spring, summer, and fall.

Breeding Bird Atlas Blocks: Cockeysville NE, Hereford SE, Hereford CE, Hereford NE, Phoenix SW, Phoenix CW, Phoenix NW, New Freedom SE, New Freedom CE, New Freedom NE, New Freedom NW

Local MOS Chapter: Baltimore Bird Club

Northern Central Railroad Trail (NCRT)
aka Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail

Administrative Office: Gunpowder Falls State Park, 2813 Jerusalem Road, Kingsville, MD 21087; telephone (410) 592-2897
For addresses of trail parking locations, see the Parking section below.

The Northern Central Railroad Trail (NCRT or the NCR Trail), formally known as the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail, is a state park facility administered by Gunpowder Falls State Park. The trail is located north of the City of Baltimore, and runs 21 miles from Ashland north to the Pennsylvania State Line, passing through historic communities including Phoenix, Monkton, White Hall, Bentley Springs, and Freeland. A 20-mile continuation of the trail extends into Pennsylvania as the York County Heritage Trail, ending in York, Pennsylvania.

The trail, 10’ wide with a stone-dust surface, is built on a former railroad right-of-way. It is used by birders, bikers, hikers, runners, dogwalkers, and occasionally by horseback riders. Much of the trail is adjacent to private homes and respect of private property rights must be observed. As one goes further north on the trail, population density decreases greatly, especially north of the Bentley Springs parking lot (see maps at link provided in the At A Glance section). At a few points, the trail allows views of adjacent fields, but most of the trail passes through wooded riparian habitat.

All along the length of the NCRT, there are numerous dirt side trails that provide fishing access to the Gunpowder Falls as well as winding through thickets and woodlots. Mile markers, painted in the red, yellow, black, and white colors of the state flag, make it easy to check your location along the trail; the marker numbers run from south to north. There are also historical mile markers painted in black on white; these date from the railroad days and the miles on these markers span the old railroad line from Baltimore to Sunbury, Pennsylvania.

Just north of Bentley Springs, the trail runs beside the 258-acre wooded Bee Tree Reserve. The Reserve, which is privately owned by Towson Presbyterian Church, includes woodland, field, wetland, and stream side habitats, laced by three miles of fire roads and trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and nature study. There are also visitor amenities such as pavilions and restrooms. The Church’s visitation policy states (emphasis added): “The Preserve is generally open to all responsible individuals and groups during daylight hours. However, day use groups larger than ten should reserve times with the Church prior to use. A permit is required for all evening and overnight use as well as the use of pavilions by groups.” For more information, see the church’s website and the informative trail map/brochure, which includes descriptions of the different parts of the Preserve and the amenities.

Birdlife:

There is a complete set of eBird hotspots to cover the length of the NCRT; eBird uses the title “Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail”  for the hotspots on the trail itself, and most, but not all, of these are aligned with the parking areas and access points. There is a separate hotspot for the Bee Tree Preserve and some other birding spots adjacent to the trail. The number of species identified at each hotspot varies from about 80 to more than 165, and some of the adjacent areas are even more productive. The hotspots, in order from south to north, are

Areas adjacent to the NCRT (listed from south to north):

Since much of the trail is near the Gunpowder Falls and its tributaries, water-related birds occur here, including Wood Duck in summer; other ducks in fall, winter, and spring; herons and egrets in the warm months; Bald Eagle (year-round), Osprey (warm months); a few shorebirds (July through September); and swallows (warm months).  Other species found in appropriate seasons include Wild Turkey; Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos; Great Horned and Barred Owls; woodpeckers, including Pileated; flycatchers; vireos, including Yellow-throated and Warbling; warblers; Yellow-breasted Chat; Blue Grosbeak and Indigo Bunting; Baltimore and Orchard Orioles; thrushes; and small woodland birds such as nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, wrens, and kinglets.

Wheelchair Access:

The trail has a packed stone-dust surface and is rated wheelchair-accessible. However, some parts of the trail may be soft after rains. Handicapped electric scooters and motorized wheelchairs are permitted on the trail; no other motorized vehicles. There are handicapped-accessible portable restrooms at or near some of the parking lot locations.

Pet Policy:

Pets must be on leash at all times and you must pick up after your pet.

Special Designations: 

A section of the Trail north of Monkton (Mile 7) goes through the eastern tip of the Prettyboy Important Bird Area (IBA), as designated by the National Audubon Society. ■ Gunpowder Falls State Park, including the Northern Central Rail Trail, is a part of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network of the National Park Service.

Special Features:

  • The restored Monkton Train Station, at Mile 7 (1820 Monkton Road, Monkton, MD 21111), serves as a museum, gift shop, and Ranger Station. It was built in 1898 and is a great place to learn about the history of the Northern Central Railway. The Monkton Station is open from 9 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.​
  • The Sparks Bank Nature Center at Mile Marker 3.5 (1207 Sparks Road, Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152), features interpretive displays and family activities. It’s open from 10 am to 4 pm Saturdays and Sundays in the summer.
  • The NCR Trail Snails is an informal running and walking group that hosts group hikes and training events throughout the year. No fee to join or participate; just show up.  See their website for schedules.

Local MOS Chapter

The local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society is the Baltimore Bird Club. The Baltimore Bird Club is the founding chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, and remains an important hub of birding activity in the state. The club offers monthly meetings with informative presentations and a full schedule of field trips and bird walks; almost all are  free and open to the public.

Parking:

Free parking–see directions below for parking areas.

Directions:

Parking is available adjacent to the trail at nine major access points (listed from south to north):

  • Ashland (Mile Marker 0.0): This is the southern terminus of the trail, but the parking here is extremely limited. It may be better to park at Paper Mill, Mile Marker 0.5, see below. From I-83, take Exit 20 to Shawan Road east. At MD 45/York Road, turn right (south), then turn left (east) onto MD Route 145/Ashland Road. At fork, bear left onto Paper Mill Road to stay on MD Route 145. In 0.4 miles, just past a church on the left, turn right onto Ashland Road to enter a residential community. Follow Ashland Road for 0.2 miles through the community until the road ends in a tiny parking adjacent to the start of the NCRT. No restrooms.
  • Paper Mill (Mile Marker 0.5): From I-83, take Exit 20 to Shawan Road east. At MD 45/York Road, turn right (south), then turn left (east) onto MD Route 145/Ashland Road. At a fork just past a church on the left, keep left onto Paper Mill Road to stay on MD Route 145. Go less than ½ mile to NCRT parking lot on left. Portable restrooms are located at the entrance to the trail from the parking lot and again at the bridge crossing the Gunpowder, north of the parking lot.
  • Phoenix (Mile Marker 2): From I-83, take Exit 20 to Shawan Road east. At MD 45/York Road, turn left (north), then turn right (east) onto Phoenix Road. Travel 1.9 miles and look for parking lot on the right, across from a pond. No restrooms.
  • Sparks (Mile Marker 3.5): From I-83, take Exit 24 to Belfast Road east. At MD Route 45/York Road, turn right (south); travel 0.4 miles and turn left (east) onto Sparks Road. Go 0.6 miles to parking lot and trail access, just after crossing Gunpowder Falls. Portable restrooms.
  • Monkton (Mile Marker 7): From I-83, take Exit 27 to MD Route 137/Mount Carmel Road east. At MD Route 45/York Road, turn right (south) and take York for 600 feet to first road on the left – MD Route 138/Monkton Road. Turn left (east) onto Monkton Road for 3 miles. Just after crossing Gunpowder Falls, look for parking lot & park office (open on weekends) on left. This site has restrooms, water, telephones, & picnic tables; a convenience store is open on weekends. Parking is limited.
  • White Hall (Mile Marker 11): From I-83, take Exit 31 for Middletown Road east, then right (south) onto MD Route 45/York Road. Turn left (east) onto Wiseburg Road. Follow Wiseburg for 2 miles. Parking lot and trail access is located at Wiseburg and White Hall Roads. Portable restrooms.
  • Parkton (Mile Marker 12.5): From I-83, take Exit 31 for Middletown Road east, then left (north) onto MD Route 45/York Road. Take York north; go left at fork onto Old York Road, and right (east) onto Frederick Road. Parking lot is at 18858 Frederick Road, adjacent to trail. No restrooms.
  • Bentley Springs (Mile Marker 16): From I-83, take Exit 33 for northbound MD Route 45/York Road. Follow York Road north. Turn left (northwest) onto Kaufman Road and follow for 0.8 miles; then turn left (west) onto Bentley Road and proceed 0.8 miles to parking lot and trail access on right. Portable restrooms.
  • Freeland (Mile Marker 19): From I-83, take Exit 36 to northbound MD Route 45/York Road; take York north then turn left (west) onto Freeland Road. Follow for 1.8 miles to parking lot and trail access on right, across from intersection with Railroad Avenue. Portable restrooms.

For additional information, see maps and descriptions at the Bike Washington website  or see the very informative website of the NCR Trail Snails, an informal running group.

Nearby Sites:

Baltimore City: Cylburn Arboretum ■ Druid Hill Park ■ Fort McHenry National Monument ■ Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center ■ Patterson Park

Baltimore County: Cromwell Valley Park ■  Holt Park ■ Irvine Nature Center ■ Lake Roland  ■ Loch Raven Reservoir ■ Milford Mill aka Villa Nova Park ■  Oregon Ridge Park

Habitats:

Bottomland DeciduousConifersHedgerowsUpland Deciduous FarmyardLawn, Ballfields, Golf Course Old Fields, Shrubby Meadows Rivers & Streams

Features:

BeginnersBicycle Trails (Bikes may be prohibited on some trails)FishingFree - No Entry Fee at Any TimeGift Shop or BookstoreHiking/Walking TrailsHistorical FeaturesNature Education ProgramsParkingPicnic AreaRestroomsVisitor Center, Interpretive Displays, ExhibitsWheelchair Accessible FeaturesYoung People / Families

Type:

Audubon Important Bird AreasChesapeake Bay Gateways NetworkHiker-Biker Trails (Paved)State Parks