Savage Mill Trail

Savage Mill Trail
The Savage Mill Trail heading west from the trailhead.
Length	0.8 mi (1.3 km)
Location	Savage Mill, Maryland
Trailheads	Savage Mill
Use	Walking, jogging, biking, fishing, kayaking, and cross-country skiing
Hiking details
Trail difficulty	Easy, level, ADA accessible
Season	Year-round
Months	Year-round
Surface	Asphalt, gravel, and dirt
Right of way	Baltimore and Ohio Railroad

The Savage Mill Trail is a 0.8-mile (1.3 km) rail trail that winds along the Little Patuxent River in Savage, Maryland. The trail was formerly part of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's rail corridor through central Maryland, but the Howard County Recreation and Parks Department acquired the land in 1978.

The Savage Mill Trail is located in an area that became a major manufacturing center in the early 1800s. Near the beginning of the trail is a textile mill that was built between 1816 and 1823. This mill along with other manufacturing companies in the area utilized the currents of the Little and Middle Patuxent Rivers to power their factories.

At the beginning of the trail is a Bollman truss bridge, which was used by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad during the middle of the 19th century. The Bollman truss bridge was invented in 1850 and was the first system to be made entirely of iron. This bridge was built in 1869 and is the only remaining Bollman truss bridge of its design in the country. It is now preserved as a National Historic Landmark.

During the American Civil War, Savage Mill served an important role for the Union Army beginning in 1861. Despite a limited supply of cotton, the mill was used to manufacture canvas for cannon covers and tents. In addition, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line to Savage Mill transported federal troops who occasionally camped in the meadow on the north side of the railroad.

In 2014, the State of Maryland announced that funds were granted to design a bike trail from Savage through the busy Route One Corridor to North Laurel. The next day an 11-year-old boy was struck in a hit and run along the proposed route.

The Howard County Recreation and Parks Department acquired the Savage Mill Trail in 1978. At the time, the rails had all been torn up and the pathway was completely made of dirt. Rangers from the Parks Department covered a majority of the trail with gravel in 1980, and a fresh layer of gravel is added every eight to ten years. The trail has not undergone any significant extensions or renovations since it was acquired by the Parks Department.