Address: 10000 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042 Website: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/parks-playgrounds-trails#centennial-park-ellicott-city Type: Activity Setting: Outdoor Price: Free
Overview
Centennial Park wraps around a 54-acre lake, and the thing most families come for is the loop: a 2.4-mile paved path circling the water. The park has four areas — South, North, West, and East — each with parking, a playground, and a restroom. North adds an inclusive playground and sensory trail, while South is the place for the boat ramp, dock, and seasonal rentals.
The lake is the draw beyond the walk — seasonal paddleboat, kayak, canoe, and fishing-boat rentals, a public boat ramp for permitted watercraft, and fishing managed by Maryland DNR. Swimming and stand-up paddleboarding are not allowed, so this is a look-and-paddle lake, not a wade-in one. Skip it as a rainy-day plan: the family activities are outdoors with no indoor backup.
What to know before you go
- Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset unless otherwise permitted or posted.
- Cost: Free to enter and free to park. You only pay for boat rentals and reserved pavilions.
- Four entrances: North, South, East, and West areas each have their own parking and playground. South is at 10000 Clarksville Pike, North at 9801 Old Annapolis Road, West at 4651 Centennial Lane, and East at 4800 Woodland Road.
- Winter facilities: Howard County turns off restroom water and drinking fountains during the winter months. Treat bathrooms and fountains as unavailable unless the county confirms otherwise.
- Boat rentals (Adventure Shack): The county typically runs rentals on weekends from mid-April through September, with Wednesday–Sunday hours during June, July, and August. The current posted hours are 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; the last boat may leave at 7 p.m. and all boats must return by 7:30. Call 410-313-7303 before you drive because weather and operating status can change.
- Boat prices: For county residents, 2- and 4-seat paddleboats are $15 per half hour; canoes and single or double kayaks are $15 per hour; fishing kayaks are $30 for up to three hours; and fishing boats with trolling motors are $35 for up to four hours. Non-resident rates are $2 higher. Cash or card, no checks, plus a $10 deposit and a physical photo ID per boat. Paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes are half price on Wednesdays in June, July, and August.
- Rental rules: The renter and at least one person in each boat must be 16 or older. Children must be at least 2 and able to sit in their own seat. Everyone wears a life jacket; pets are not allowed on rental boats.
- Fishing: Maryland DNR lists largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, channel catfish, and rainbow trout in Centennial Lake, and its 2026 schedule includes spring trout stocking. Anglers 16 and up need a Maryland freshwater license; Maryland's free fishing days are the first two Saturdays in June and July 4.
- Restrooms: The county lists a restroom in each of the four park areas, but water is turned off during winter months.
- Stroller-friendliness: The 2.4-mile loop is paved, making it practical for most strollers and wagons. Expect a full-length park loop rather than a short playground path.
- Accessibility: The South dock area is accessible, and the North playground and sensory trail include inclusive features. The rest of the park mixes paved paths with grass and natural areas.
- Dogs: Keep dogs physically restrained and under control, and follow any posted animal restrictions. Pets are not allowed on rental boats.
- Food: The Adventure Shack may offer concessions when rentals are operating, but hours are seasonal. Pack water and snacks; picnic areas and pavilions are available.
- What to bring: Sunscreen, hats, water, snacks, and cash-or-card plus a photo ID if you plan to rent a boat.
Tips for families
- Choose the entrance for the activity. Use South for the lake, boat ramp, dock, rentals, and picnic areas. Use North for the inclusive playground and sensory trail. West and East each have their own playground plus sports amenities.
- A second entrance is a real backup. Because every area has parking and a playground, you can change plans without leaving the park if one area does not fit your group.
- Plan for a fully outdoor loop. Bring sun protection and water, especially if you intend to walk all 2.4 miles rather than staying near one playground.
- Bring a physical ID for boat rentals. You need a $10 deposit and a government photo ID for every boat, and the shack takes cash or card but no checks. Wednesdays in June–August are half price on paddle boats, kayaks, and canoes.
- Call the boat status line first. Rental hours (410-313-7303) shift with weather and operating conditions, and rentals are seasonal even though boating with a permit runs March 1–November 30.
- Plan winter visits without plumbing. The county turns off restroom water and drinking fountains in winter, so use the bathroom before arrival and carry water.
- Do not feed the wildlife. The county prohibits feeding animals around the lake; keep snacks packed away when waterfowl are nearby.
- Pair it with Clark's Elioak Farm. The storybook "Enchanted Forest" farm is also on Clarksville Pike, making the two places a practical same-day outdoor pairing.
Best time to visit
- Time of day: Early morning or late afternoon in summer keeps a long walk cooler. Rental plans must fit the Adventure Shack's seasonal 11 a.m.–7 p.m. operating window.
- Day of week: Boat rentals typically run Wednesday–Sunday in summer and weekends during the spring and September; call the status line before building a visit around them.
- Season: Spring through fall offers the most options. Rentals typically run from mid-April through September, permitted private boating runs March 1–November 30, and DNR stocks trout in spring. Winter remains suitable for a walk, but restroom water and fountains are turned off.
- Weather: Fully outdoor with no indoor backup, so skip it in steady rain. Hot days need an early start and sun protection; cold days are fine for a bundled-up walk.
FAQs
Is there parking? Yes — free parking is available in the North, South, East, and West areas. Choose the area closest to the activity you want.
How much does it cost? The park is free to enter and free to park. The only costs are seasonal boat rentals and reserving a picnic pavilion.
How long should we plan for? Anywhere from one to three hours. The full lake loop is 2.4 miles; add time for a playground, picnic, or boat rental if you want more than a walk.
Is it stroller-friendly? Yes. The 2.4-mile loop around the lake is paved, so it works for most strollers and wagons. It is a substantial full-park loop, so bring water and plan turnaround points for younger children.
Can we swim or paddleboard? No. Swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, and tubing are all prohibited. You can rent a paddleboat, kayak, canoe, fishing kayak, or fishing boat, fish from shore, or launch permitted watercraft at the boat ramp.
Do we need a fishing license? Anglers 16 and older need a Maryland fishing license. Kids under 16 fish for free, and no one needs a license on Maryland's free fishing days — the first two Saturdays in June and July 4.
Are the boat rentals open year-round? No. The county typically runs rentals on weekends from mid-April through September, with Wednesday–Sunday availability during June, July, and August. Call 410-313-7303 for the day's operating status before you go.
Are dogs allowed? Yes, if physically restrained and under control. Follow posted animal restrictions, and note that pets are not allowed on rental boats.
Helpful links
- Howard County Recreation & Parks — Parks, Playgrounds & Trails — the operating authority; official hours, the four-area addresses, and closure alerts.
- Adventure Shack & Boat Rentals — official boat-rental season, hours, per-boat pricing, and the deposit/ID policy.
- Maryland DNR — Centennial Lake — current fishery details and lake-specific fishing guidance.
- Maryland DNR — Youth and free fishing — license-free fishing dates and family fishing resources.
