Round Falls in Baltimore, Maryland is a hidden oasis found in the middle of the city. The manmade falls provide Baltimore with a serene location away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Once part of a dam that powered an early 19th-century grist mill, Round Falls is quietly tucked away from the bustle of Baltimore. There is a short, rugged path through the woods near Druid Hill Park that leads to a clearing where the Jones Falls stream widens, revealing the 10-foot-tall, semicircular remnants of the old dam. Water tumbles over the manmade cascade, gathering at its base before continuing its journey toward Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
The original dam at Round Falls once powered Rock Mill, built in the early 1800s. Due to its proximity to Baltimore’s deepwater port, the area quickly grew into a hub for shipbuilding and international flour milling by 1810. By 1930, the city demolished the aging grist mill to help improve flood control along the Jones Falls.. At the industry’s peak, as many as 12 grist mills lined the Jones Falls corridor; today, several have been transformed into residential, dining, and commercial spaces. The closest landmark to the falls is the bridge on Wyman Park Drive, which offers an overhead view. Nearby in Druid Hill Park, new wooden sculptures add a creative touch to the landscape. The Jones Falls Trail, which leads to the falls, also forms part of the larger East Coast Greenway network.
Due to its remote hidden location, many Baltimore residents don’t even know about Round Falls. Located along the 11-mile Jones Falls Trail, which winds from the Inner Harbor to Mount Washington, this hidden gem remains one of Baltimore’s best-kept secrets. Visitors can find it by looking carefully near Druid Hill Park for the small wooden sign that reads “James W. Rouse Memorial Deck at Round Falls.” In honor of the late urban planner, developers Bill Struever and Ted Rouse (James Rouse’s son) a scenic overlook was created, complete with a stairway, benches, and a platform.
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