Rockburn Skills Park: Where Family and Technique Fuse on Trails

Ellicott City's Rockburn Skills Park serves as a training ground and playground for cyclists of all ages and skill levels. Nestled atop a hill above turf fields, the location at 5400 Landing Road, Elkridge, MD 21075, is a hub for honing mountain bike skills in a family-friendly setting.

Breaking Down the Trails

The park features four unique routes, each designed to challenge various aspects of mountain biking.

• Easy Route: Designed for novices, this route incorporates pumps and berms with one or two small jumps.
• Jump Route: Perfect for adrenaline junkies, this trail offers large table tops for air time.
• Rock Garden: This is a technical route featuring an extended rock garden along with logs to ride across.
• Return Trail: A back trail with an option for a rock garden climb.

Aside from the trails, the park is also home to a pump track.

What the Cyclists Are Saying

Riders laud Rockburn Skills Park for its short but intense trails. For those who wish to get a feel of air beneath their wheels, the Jump Route is a revelation. However, some bikers have pointed out that the pump track could feel a bit tight, especially for mountain bikes with larger frames.The park acts as a skill booster, helping riders to improve their performance on local single tracks like Rosaryville, Schaeffer Farms, and Fountainhead. It's also a great precursor to the more extensive network at nearby Patapsco State Park.

Know Before You Go

• Distance: 1 mi
• Level: Intermediate
• Route Type: Loop
• Location: Ellicott City, Maryland

Amenities and Accessibility

The park is not only about challenging trails but also about community. From youngsters to older riders, everyone seems to share an infectious enthusiasm. Although the park doesn't offer expansive mileage, it does provide an exciting, skill-focused riding experience.If you find the park packed, consider riding at Rockburn Branch Loop, which connects to Patapsco Valley State Park.

Overall Impressions

Rockburn Skills Park is an ideal place to spend a few hours getting better at mountain biking while having a blast. With its diverse array of routes and a pump track, it’s an essential visit for any cyclist looking to up their game. If you're craving more, there are also multiple singletrack trails at Patapsco State Park, just a short ride away.Note: The trail was closed on July 12 but is set to reopen soon. Keep an eye out for updates before planning your trip.