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.

This mill along with other manufacturing companies in the area utilized the currents of the Little and Middle Patuxent Rivers to power their factories.

During the American Civil War, Savage Mill served an important role for the Union Army beginning in 1861.

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.

In addition, the Department provides four rangers per day during the summer to monitor visitor behavior and ensure that the trail is kept in quality condition.

Finally, members of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab host an annual trail cleanup in late October or early November.

In addition to trail cleanups, the Howard County Recreation and Parks Department is in the middle of its 5-year Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas.

These birds include: In addition, four types of mammals inhabit the Savage Mill Trail and are most often spotted during the warm months of the year: Finally, the Little Patuxent River is home to over seven species of fish.