Rocks State Park in Jarrettsville, MD: King and Queen Seat, Kilgore Falls and Fall Hikes

by Josh Tessier

Rocks State Park is an 855-acre Maryland state park in Jarrettsville, about 5 miles north of Forest Hill on Route 24. Go for two things: the King and Queen Seat, a rock outcrop that rises 190 feet over Deer Creek, and Kilgore Falls, a 17-foot waterfall a short drive up the road.

Here's the best part for right now. Kilgore Falls parking reservations are only needed on summer weekends and holidays, so from now until Memorial Day weekend you can just show up.

A rocky creek running through the woods at Rocks State Park in Jarrettsville, Maryland — *A rocky stretch of creek in the woods at Rocks State Park.*
Photo: “Rocks State Park 10” by Bohemian Baltimore, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken March 2016. Cropped.

What is Rocks State Park?

Rocks is a state park run by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. It sits in northern Harford County, along Route 24 and St. Clair Bridge Road.

The state bought the land in 1949 to protect the King and Queen Seat. Long before that, trainloads of tourists came out in the late 1800s. A book of local legends, The Rocks of Deer Creek by Thomas Wysong (1880), helped bring in the crowds.

Here's what you get:

3.5 miles of hiking trails
Three picnic areas: Wilson's, Hills Grove and Rock Ridge
Deer Creek for fishing, wading and tubing
Two side areas a short drive away: Falling Branch (home of Kilgore Falls) and Hidden Valley

How do you hike to the King and Queen Seat?

You've got three ways up:

White Trail from the park office
Red Trail from the Rock Ridge Picnic Area
Purple Trail from the Rapids parking lot

The trails are steep and rocky. Wear real shoes, not flip-flops. The top is a big rock ledge, and some of the drops are as high as 94 feet, so keep kids and dogs close. Dogs are welcome on a leash.

Rock climbers use the King and Queen Seat too. The park says climbs run from 8 to 115 feet, and it asks new climbers to get training first.

Grab the free Rocks State Park trail map on your phone before you go so you have it offline.

How do you get to Kilgore Falls?

Kilgore Falls is in the Falling Branch area, about 5 miles north of the main park. It does not connect to the main park trails, so you have to drive there.

Parking: 1026 Falling Branch Rd., Pylesville. The lot holds 28 cars.
The hike: a 1/2-mile single-track trail to the falls. It is not OK for strollers or wheelchairs.
Wet feet: to reach the base of the falls, you have to cross the stream. Bring shoes that can get wet.
No picnic setup: there are no tables, grills or restrooms here.
Lot full? Don't park at the church or on the road. The park says to head to the main park instead.

The park says Kilgore Falls is Maryland's second highest vertical drop waterfall. It's a short walk with a big payoff.

Do you need a reservation for Kilgore Falls?

Not right now. Reservations are only required on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. You book those at parkdayuse.maryland.gov.

In the off-season you don't need one. But the lot is still only 28 cars, so go early on a nice weekend. Confirm before you go.

What does Rocks State Park cost?

Maryland DNR says the fee is charged to enter the picnic areas.

Picnic areas	Maryland residents	Out of state
Weekdays	$2 per car	$4 per car
Weekends and holidays	$3 per person	$5 per person

The picnic area charge is cash only. The park lists free entry for Park Passport holders, Universal Disability Pass holders, veterans, active duty military, seniors with a Golden Age Pass and kids in car seats. Confirm before you go.

What are the hours?

The park is open sunrise to sunset. From November through March, the picnic areas open at 10 a.m. The Kilgore Falls lot also opens at 10 a.m. from November through February.

Call the park office at (410) 557-7994 with questions. Confirm before you go.

Can you picnic, fish or tube on Deer Creek?

Yes. Each picnic area has tables, grills, restrooms and a playground. Each one also has a pavilion that holds about 120 to 150 people. You need a permit for a pavilion. Book at parkreservations.maryland.gov.

A few picnic rules to know: no alcohol unless you bought a permit with your pavilion, no amplified music, no moon bounces, and you take your trash home.

Deer Creek runs right through the park. You can wade, swim and tube at your own risk. There are no lifeguards, and the Deer Creek Rapids are off-limits for wading, swimming and tubing. The state stocks trout in the spring and fall. Anyone 16 or older needs a Maryland non-tidal fishing license and a trout stamp.

What is Hidden Valley?

Hidden Valley is a quiet piece of the park at 4710 Carea Rd., White Hall. It has a hiking trail and a fishing spot on Deer Creek. Parking fits 8 to 10 cars, and there are no restrooms or tables.

My quick plan for a fall day at Rocks

Start at the Rapids lot or the park office and hike up to the King and Queen Seat.
Drive 5 miles north and walk to Kilgore Falls.
Grab lunch in Jarrettsville. Try the Jarrettsville Creamery & Deli. I wrote it up here.

Want more north county ideas? Check my guide to living in Forest Hill, the Harford Vineyard & Winery and the Highland Tractor Parade. You can find every post on my Harford County blog.

What's it like living near Rocks State Park?

Homes around Jarrettsville, Forest Hill, Pylesville and White Hall give you more room and quick access to trails like these. If you want a home near the park, I'll show you what's out there. Call or text me at (443) 617-2099.

FAQ

Where is Rocks State Park?

The park office is at 3318 Rocks Chrome Hill Rd., Jarrettsville, MD 21084. The park starts about 5 miles north of Forest Hill on Route 24.

How long is the hike to Kilgore Falls?

It's a 1/2-mile single-track trail from the Falling Branch parking lot at 1026 Falling Branch Rd., Pylesville. The trail is not OK for strollers or wheelchairs.

Do I need a reservation for Kilgore Falls in the fall?

No. Reservations are only required on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The lot holds 28 cars, so go early.

Is Rocks State Park free?

Maryland DNR charges a fee to enter the picnic areas. The picnic areas cost $2 per car on weekdays and $3 per person on weekends for Maryland residents, cash only.

Are dogs allowed at Rocks State Park?

Yes. Dogs are allowed on the trails, in the picnic areas and at Kilgore Falls, but they must stay on a leash.

How tall is the King and Queen Seat?

The King and Queen Seat rises 190 feet above Deer Creek. You can reach it on the White, Red or Purple Trail.

About the author: Josh Tessier is a REALTOR(R) with the Lee Tessier Team at eXp Realty. He has 600+ homes sold personally (5,900+ for the Lee Tessier Team) and lives and works in Harford County.