Patuxent River Park - Pavilion and Camp Ground

Upper Marlboro, Maryland

About

Bordering Jug Bay and extending south along the Patuxent River, the trails and boardwalks of Patuxent River Park provide easy access to the renowned tidal marsh system and the forested habitats of the region. A canoe launch near the north end of the Natural Area allows visitors to experience the sights and sounds of the marsh firsthand: the distinctive 'whinny' of the rare sora at dawn, bald eagles and ospreys soaring overhead at mid-day, and egrets roosting in the trees at sunset. A small boardwalk leads visitors through a tidal hardwood swamp with pumpkin ash, red maple and small patches of the Threatened red turtlehead. This uncommon forest community grows at the edge of tidal influence, beyond the reach of brackish water, but is flooded regularly by the tides. Trails through the adjacent non-tidal and upland forests offer access to rich woodland areas dotted with ferns and wildflowers in spring. A four-mile Critical Area Driving Tour is open on most Sundays, and allows visitors to drive across Mattaponi Creek into the Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary. The road leads through dense woods, over non-tidal and tidal marshes and also through open farm fields.

Amenities

Available Site Types

• Tent Sites