Hills Grove Picnic Area in Rocks State Park offers shady tables, forest trails and a nearby stream, making it ideal for relaxed picnics, dates and small group gatherings.
Hills Grove Picnic Area sits inside scenic Rocks State Park in Street, Maryland, and is one of the park’s most popular spots for picnics and small gatherings. It combines a peaceful forest setting with a nearby stream, creating a calm, green backdrop for weekends away from the city. With tables, grills, shelter, restrooms and a playground close by, it’s easy to spend an entire day here without feeling rushed or uncomfortable.
The area is especially convenient for family get-togethers, group outings and couples’ dates. You have access to hiking trails, creekside spots for wading and photos, and easy driving connections to other highlights in Rocks State Park like the King and Queen Seat overlook and the Falling Branch Area with Kilgore Falls.
For general park information and reservations, you can contact the park at (410) 557-7994.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 4001 St Clair Bridge Rd, Street, MD 21154 |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 – 16:45 |
| Facilities | Picnic Tables, Grills / Barbecue Pit, Power Outlet, Restroom Facilities, Playground Equipment |
Hills Grove Picnic Area is designed for easy, enjoyable outdoor time. Shaded picnic tables and a picnic shelter give you a comfortable place to sit, even on warmer days, while grills and barbecue pits make it simple to cook hot dogs, burgers, vegetables and foil-pack meals on-site. Restroom facilities mean you can stay all day without worrying about amenities, and the playground equipment offers a fun outlet for kids if you’re visiting as a family.
Beyond the facilities, the setting is what makes Hills Grove stand out: forested hills, a nearby stream, and short walks that lead to quiet corners of the park. You can hear water running, birds calling and leaves rustling in the wind, which makes it feel like a little getaway even if you only have one day to spare.
For a relaxed weekend date, planning starts the day before. You can prep a simple but delicious picnic menu: sandwiches, chilled pasta salad, fresh fruit, cookies, nuts, juice, and if you want to grill, classic barbecue options like hot dogs, burgers, chicken wings, corn on the cob, mushrooms, bell peppers and foil-wrapped potatoes or mixed vegetables.
Traveling in a Tara Roadster 2 makes the whole experience easier. Its built-in cooling function keeps drinks and perishable foods at a safe temperature overnight and during the drive, so everything tastes fresh when you arrive. The generous storage space makes room for picnic baskets, a cooler, blankets, small speakers, board games and even extra jackets, without cluttering the seating area.
Start your day by driving to Rocks State Park and arriving around 8:30 a.m. Park your Tara Roadster 2, then walk to Hills Grove Picnic Area with your food and gear. Set your picnic supplies on a table, organize the grill area if you plan to barbecue, and take a few minutes to stretch and relax into the slower pace of the day.
Around 9:00 a.m., choose a forest trail for a light hike. The White Trail Loop, which takes about an hour, is a great option: it’s shaded, gentle, and circular, so you don’t need to backtrack. For a more dramatic viewpoint, you can head toward the King and Queen Seat, one of the most famous overlooks in the park, where rocky cliffs open up to impressive views over the forest.
By about 10:30 a.m., make your way back toward the stream near Hills Grove Picnic Area. Here you can dip your feet in the water, splash around on the shallow edges and take photos with the forest and creek as your backdrop. It’s a refreshing way to cool down after your morning hike and a perfect moment for relaxed conversation and quiet time together.
Around noon, return to Hills Grove Picnic Area for lunch. Use the shaded shelter and picnic tables to lay out your food: sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit, snacks and drinks from the chilled storage of your Tara Roadster 2. If you brought barbecue ingredients, fire up the grill or barbecue pit and cook hot dogs, burgers, chicken wings, corn and vegetables for a warm, hearty meal.
After eating, take some time to rest. Sit back under the trees, listen to the creek in the distance, and enjoy the simple feeling of not having anywhere else you need to be.
Early afternoon is perfect for deepening connection and unwinding together. You can take a slow walk through the wooded areas, sit on a rock near the creek, sip coffee or tea, listen to music, or play a board game at the picnic table. The light filtering through the trees around this time of day is soft and flattering, making it great for couples’ photos as well.
Around 3:30 p.m., hop back in your Tara Roadster 2 and drive to the Falling Branch Area. Here you’ll find Kilgore Falls, often described as one of Maryland’s most beautiful small waterfalls. The short walk to the falls is a nice change of scenery, and the waterfall itself offers a romantic, photogenic spot to end the more active part of your day.
By about 5:00 p.m., it’s time to prepare for the drive home. Return to Hills Grove Picnic Area if needed to collect any remaining items, make sure your picnic space is clean, and load everything back into the roomy storage of your Tara Roadster 2. The late-afternoon light is usually soft and golden, providing one last beautiful view of the forest and creek as you leave Rocks State Park and wrap up a full, memorable day at Hills Grove Picnic Area.
