If you’ve lived in Howard County for more than five minutes, you know Centennial Park. It’s basically the town square of Ellicott City, but with more geese and better scenery. People call it the "crown jewel" of the county park system, and honestly, they aren’t wrong. It covers about 337 acres of land that used to be a lot of nothing before the lake was created in the 70s.
It’s crowded on Saturdays. Like, really crowded.
Finding a parking spot at the South Entrance near the big playground on a sunny April morning is basically a blood sport. But people still do it because there’s something about that 2.6-mile loop around the water that just hits differently than a treadmill. Whether you're there to train for a marathon or just to walk off a heavy brunch from Old Ellicott City, Centennial Park in Ellicott City is the default setting for outdoor life in this part of Maryland.
The Lake is the Heart (and a Massive Engineering Project)
Centennial Lake isn't a natural wonder of the world. It’s a man-made, 54-acre reservoir. Back in the day, the Department of Public Works and the Soil Conservation Service teamed up to build it primarily for flood control and sediment trapping. It’s part of the Centennial Branch of the Little Patuxent River. While it looks pretty, its "job" is to make sure the surrounding neighborhoods don't turn into a swamp during a hurricane.
Fishing is one of the biggest draws here. If you’ve got a Maryland non-tidal fishing license, you can drop a line for largemouth bass, trout (they stock them in the spring), sunfish, and channel catfish. Just don't expect to catch a record-breaker every time. The pressure on this lake is high because so many people visit.
Pro tip: The northern end of the lake, near the wetlands, is usually where the bigger bass hide among the lily pads.
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Boating and Water Rules
You can't just throw a jet ski in there. No gas motors allowed. It’s strictly electric trolling motors or good old-fashioned muscle power. Between March and late autumn, you can rent kayaks, canoes, and rowboats from the boathouse at the South Entrance. It’s surprisingly affordable, though the line gets long on holiday weekends.
If you bring your own boat, it has to be under 16 feet. And no, you cannot swim in the lake. Ever. Between the snapping turtles and the water quality regulations for a man-made reservoir, staying on top of the water is much better than being in it.
The 2.6-Mile Loop: More Than Just a Sidewalk
Most people come for the paved trail. It’s 2.6 miles of rolling hills and flat stretches that circle the entire lake. It’s wide enough for two strollers to pass each other, usually.
You’ll see every type of person here.
Serious runners with GPS watches.
Grandparents pushing toddlers.
High school cross-country teams.
Dog walkers (the dogs are almost always more excited than the owners).
One thing most people overlook is the "Inner Loop" versus the "Outer Loop" connections. If you want to add mileage, you can jump onto the spur trails that connect to the surrounding neighborhoods like Font Hill or the Centennial high school area. It’s a great way to escape the "human highway" feeling of the main paved path.
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Watch out for the geese poop. It’s a real thing. The Canada Goose population at Centennial Park is legendary and, frankly, a bit of a nuisance. The county actually uses various "goose management" tactics, including border collies, to keep the numbers down, but those birds are stubborn.
Wildlife and the "Secret" North Area
While the South Entrance (off Route 108) is where the noise is, the North Entrance (off Old Annapolis Road) is for the birders and the quiet seekers. This area is much more wooded.
If you’re into photography, the North area is where you’ll find the Great Blue Herons. They stand like statues in the shallows near the bridge. You might even spot a Bald Eagle; they’ve been sighted frequently over the last few years as the local ecosystem has matured. There are also turtles—literally hundreds of them—sunning themselves on logs.
The vegetation changes here too. You get more of the native Maryland hardwood forest vibe.
- Black Oaks
- Red Maples
- Sycamores near the water’s edge
- Invasive wineberry (don't eat them unless you really know what you're doing)
The Pavilions and the Social Scene
There are nine pavilions scattered around the park. If you want one for a graduation party or a family reunion, you have to book months in advance through Howard County Recreation & Parks. They aren't free, but they come with grills and proximity to restrooms.
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The "C" and "D" pavilions are tucked away a bit more, offering a tiny bit of privacy. But if you’re at Pavilion H near the playground, you are in the thick of it. That playground is a magnet for every kid in a five-mile radius. It was renovated not too long ago to be more inclusive, which is a huge win for local families.
The Reality of Maintenance and Conservation
It isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Maintaining a park that sees hundreds of thousands of visitors a year is a massive undertaking. The county deals with significant erosion issues because of the heavy foot traffic and the way stormwater runoff hits the lake.
You’ll often see areas roped off for "reforestation" or "meadow restoration." Please, actually stay out of those. They are trying to bring back native grasses and wildflowers like Black-eyed Susans (the state flower) to help filter the water before it hits the lake.
The water quality is monitored closely. Occasionally, in the peak of summer, you might see signs about algae blooms. This is common in man-made lakes where fertilizer runoff from nearby suburban lawns feeds the algae. It’s another reason why they tell you to keep your dogs on a leash and out of the water.
Why It Matters for Ellicott City
Ellicott City has had a rough go with flooding over the last decade. While Centennial Park is a few miles away from the historic Main Street, it plays a role in the regional watershed management. It’s a green lung in an area that is rapidly developing. As more townhomes and shopping centers go up along Route 40 and Route 29, places like Centennial become essential for local mental health.
Planning Your Visit: A Local’s Cheat Sheet
If you’re coming from out of town or just visiting for the first time, don't just wing it.
- Timing: Weekdays are peaceful. Weekends before 10:00 AM are manageable. Sunday at 2:00 PM is a nightmare for parking.
- The Hills: The trail isn't flat. There’s a particularly long, slow incline on the west side of the lake that catches casual walkers off guard.
- Food: There are no concessions inside the park other than maybe a vending machine at the boathouse. Pack water. If you're hungry afterward, you’re only five minutes away from the restaurants on Route 40 or the coffee shops in the historic district.
- Restrooms: There are permanent restrooms at the South, West, and North entrances. They are generally clean for park bathrooms, but they are closed during the deepest winter months (usually replaced by port-a-potties).
Centennial Park in Ellicott City isn't a "wild" wilderness experience. You’re never more than a few hundred yards from a paved road or a suburban house. But it’s a place where you can see the seasons change in Maryland perfectly. The cherry blossoms in the spring (yes, there are a few!) and the deep oranges of the maples in October make it the most photographed spot in the county for a reason.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
- Check the Boat Schedule: Before you head out with the kids, verify the boathouse hours on the Howard County Recreation and Parks website, as they change seasonally and are weather-dependent.
- Download a Trail Map: While the main loop is easy to follow, the peripheral trails are great for avoiding crowds. Having a digital map helps you explore the "West" and "North" sections without getting turned around in the woods.
- License Up: If you plan to fish, ensure your Maryland DNR license is active on your phone. Rangers do patrol, and they will check.
- Pack for the Sun: Much of the 2.6-mile loop is unshaded, especially on the dam breast. Wear sunscreen even in the spring; that reflection off the water is no joke.
- Leave No Trace: Use the trash cans provided at every entrance. The local volunteer groups do a great job cleaning up, but with the volume of visitors, everyone needs to pitch in to keep the lake from becoming a literal trash heap.