Mountain Biking Patuxent River State Park Add a review #87 of 99 mountain bike trails in Maryland #12,355 in the world. Inside the Visitor's Center is an abundance of information brochures and a live camera watching an osprey's nest. Hours: Grounds at Jackson’s Landing, Croom Airport, and Selby’s Landing are open 8 am to dusk, all year. Cylburn Mansion New trail being developed. Our amenities will give you a truly unique outdoor experience. The convoluted shorelines of Jug Bay are bordered by brackish marsh and inlets, with extensive wild rice beds that form ideal habitat for waterfowl and other marsh birds. Recreational opportunities here include catch and release fishing, hunting, hiking and horseback riding (trails are unmarked). The Jug Bay Natural Area of Patuxent River Park provides some of the best birding in Maryland. Also in winter, check fields for Horned Larks, American Pipits, and sparrows. The park is located on the upper section of the Patuxent River in Woodbine, Md., and is a popular spot for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and hunting. This trail follows the Patuxent River and has a some steep gradients, rocks, and roots that can make it both a fun and challenging trail. Patuxent River Park offers fishing piers, hiking and horseback trails, canoe and kayak rentals, boat ramps, campgrounds, the Duvall Tool Museum, and the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Driving Tour. Paths are unmarked. Club Sponsor-Local Bike Shop. 4 Capital Beltway exit, head south/east on Rt. The Patuxent River is a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay in the state of Maryland.There are three main river drainages for central Maryland: the Potomac River to the west passing through Washington, D.C., the Patapsco River to the northeast passing through Baltimore, and the Patuxent River between the two. Jug Bay Natural Area is one section of the Patuxent River Park system, a noteworthy string of county park properties along the Prince George’s side of the Patuxent River, operated by the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation/Maryland-National Capitol Parks and Planning Commission. The trail begins in Savage Park. The property also provides access to the river for canoes and kayaks. The habitats at the Selby’s Landing area include tidal marshes; non-tidal wetlands; cultivated fields; grassy fields; mixed forests; numerous streams. Many public parks and launching sites for recreational boating provide additional access for visitors to enjoy the river… Just click on the Donate button and you will be redirected to the donation page on the Maryland Ornithological Society’s website. 4 Capital Beltway exit, head south/east on Rt. Once the Driving Tour crosses the bridge to arrive in Merkle NRMA, the road changes to gravel and has some grades that would be rough-going for a wheelchair. Be the first to share your experience. The trail is primarily used for canoeing, hiking, mountain biking & trail running and is accessible year-round. The Visitor Center  near Jackson Landing is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm. Patuxent River Park - Trail - user reviews : 3 out of 5 - 4 reviews - MTBR.com Or, there are connections to the other trails in the Jug Bay Natural Area. Marsh Wren, Least Bittern, Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Orchard Oriole and many other species nest in the park. Hours: sunrise to sunset. It is a short trail, only two miles, but it has potential. Park. Patuxent River Park… Enjoy the scenic views of the river and wetlands, fish from the pier or launchyour kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard and explore the marshes of the Patuxent River. Instead, a network of unmarked trails snakes through the park. The south-most area of Patuxent River Park – Jug Bay Natural Area is accessed from St. Thomas Church Road, where there is a tiny parking lot at a trailhead for the Blue Trail (see trail map at the link at left). Rt. Patuxent Riverkeeper rents canoes and kayaks to members and to the public and hosts public events throughout the year. Patuxent River State Park has many unmarked “social” trails created by hunters, equestrians, wildlife, and hikers. The different properties that comprise Patuxent River Park offer a variety of amenities and outdoor activities including: a visitors center; boat ramps; canoe & kayak rentals and launches; campsites; pavilion; trails ; historic sites; fishing; hunting; birdwatching; observation tower with elevator, and more. Use the various observation platforms and overlooks for good views. The Patuxent River Commission oversees the overall planning for improvement in the health of the river, and Patuxent River Park is one player in protecting this important resource. Prince George’s County:  Governor Bridge Natural Area ◾ Merkle Natural Resources Management Area ◾ Milltown Landing Natural Resources Management Area ◾  Patuxent River Park – Mount Calvert Historical & Archaeological Park ◾ Piscataway MOS Sanctuary ◾ Rosaryville State Park ◾ Schoolhouse Pond, Anne Arundel County: Davidsonville Park ◾ Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Calvert County: Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary / Gatewood Preserve / Biscoe Gray Heritage Farm ◾ Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum ◾ Kings Landing Park & Huntingtown Natural Resources Management Area, Charles County: Indian Creek Natural Resources Management Area, Bottomland DeciduousConifersHedgerowsUpland Deciduous Agricultural Crop Fields or Fallow FieldsHay Meadows, Pasture, Grass FieldOld Fields, Shrubby Meadows Forested SwampFreshwater Marsh or FloodplainMud Flats (Tidal or Non-Tidal)Rivers & Streams. Groups of 25 or fewer can enjoy our water-access only campsites located at various points along the river and are a part of the Patuxent Water Trail. There are separate eBird hotspots for several sites described above: During migration, there can be a rich diversity of species throughout the park. Feb 2, 2014 - Seneca Creek Greenways Trail: 7.8 miles one way. Greenwell State Park is a 3.5 mile loop trail located near Hollywood, Maryland that features a river and is good for all skill levels. Over 220 species have been reported on eBird from the vicinity of Patuxent River Park—Jug Bay Natural Area. Exit onto Woodyard Rd (Rt. Jug Bay Natural Area has such an outstanding ecosystem, with splendid visitor amenities, that it is almost as though it were designed to be a birder’s playground. 8/5/2020: Designated parking lot at 9190 Old Guilford Road for the Patuxent Branch Trail will be closed to public on 8/11/20 and 8/12/20 for construction of a concrete drainage swale. https://www.trailforks.com/region/patuxent-river-park-20960 Summer features terns and waders. Waterfowl are a highlight of the winter months all along the river. More than 250 species have been recorded here, more than 100 of those confirmed as nesting. Park. The trail is primarily used for canoeing, hiking, mountain biking & trail running and is accessible year-round. Extensive historical features and interpretative displays are found throughout the Park, and especially at the Rural Life Museum and the Indian Village. ◾ Wear sturdy waterproof hiking boots for the trails, and consider carrying a hiking stick for potentially slick hills. The river corridor is rich in scenic beauty, wildlife, history. Tips: Bring a scope. Recreational use is primarily hunting, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. The Patuxent Branch Trail is part of a 20-mile trail system over and around the rolling hills of Howard County that follows a former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line along the Patuxent River. There are well designated trails, various birds & water fowl, local flora & fauna, and wildlife. Patuxent River Park: Patuxent River Park - See 11 traveler reviews, 15 candid photos, and great deals for Upper Marlboro, MD, at Tripadvisor. ◾ Restrooms are located across from the Visitor Center. Trail Notes for the Patuxent River Park Hike Description: The Patuxent River Park/Jug Bay Natural Area maintains over 7,000 acres of forest and wet lands. Local … Patuxent River Park–Mattaponi Creek Area (north of creek) – 166+ species. But pedestrians and bikers may use the entire Driving Tour route any day of the year. These trails are not maintained by park staff and should be used at your own risk. The local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society is the Patuxent Bird Club, which offers field trips and meetings with informative programs, all free and open to the public. Spring brings warblers, vireos, thrushes, and flycatchers to the wooded areas. A portion of the park is considered state wildlands area. The Riverkeeper organization has a headquarters building on the river at Nottingham, just south of the Jug Bay Natural Area and Merkle NRMA. You will see the start of the Critical Area Driving Tour on the right immediately before the parking lot; the gate for the Driving Tour is open for car use only on Sundays, but the Driving Tour route can be accessed on foot, by bike, or by wheelchair any day of the week. Plans are underway to grow an official trail system that will replace the network of social trails. Very nice park with boardwalks over the water and a small observation deck. 16000 Croom Airport Road Upper Marlboro MD 20772, THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION, Cosca Regional Park Hiking & Mountain Biking Trail, Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex, Southern Area Aquatics & Recreation Complex, The park provides facilities for camping and picnics, 2 fishing areas at Jug Bay that offer good tidal fishing year-round, 2 standard boat ramps, but no overnight tie-ups or fuel facilities, Waterfowl hunting permitted in designated areas, A limited number of blind sites along the river are leased on a seasonal basis. The Patuxent River is approximately 110 miles long and is the largest river, completely within the state boundary of Maryland. The first mile of the Driving Tour, from Selby’s Landing to the Mattaponi bridge, is paved, and is wheelchair-accessible. The park hosts a variety of different special events. Saturday, June 13, 2020. Years ago there were more trails in this State Park, they have either been overgrown or possibly taken over by a logging company. The headquarters area has extensive amenities, with a boat launch and canoe/kayak rental and launch site at Jackson Landing and the Rural Life Museums, an outdoor museum featuring a collection of historic buildings. Experience the region's rich, colonial history. You can stop on the bridge at a wooden observation platform to scope the marsh, which is ringing with bird song most of the year. (301) 627-6074. Rated 4.0 /5 based on 1 customer reviews 4.0 4.68 miles 255 ft gain - Loop Trail Save Add Review Get Directions Add Photo. he Patuxent River provides excellent opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. Some of the trails are steep climbs. But as if that weren’t enough, Shimano selected the Patuxent River Trail Project as one of only two Dig In projects they chose to highlight on their website. Overnight canoe and kayak rentals are not currently available. There is also one stream crossing towards the end of the trail. No trails have been added to Patuxent River State Park. Near Olney, Maryland. Check out their write-up for Pax. The swamp is typical of southern habitats, and contains one of the largest stands of Bald Cypress trees at this latitude. Small picknic area but well worth the visit for nature. Continue 1.4 miles on Croom Airport Road, bearing right at a sharp curve at the bottom of a hill, where Duvall Road comes in from the left. The stream passes centrally through the Governor Bridge Natural Area / Patuxent River Park and joins the Patuxent, just south of Governor's Bridge.. Hike the Patuxent River Park Trail. Selby’s features a boat and canoe launch area (bring your own – no rentals) and short fishing pier (a good place to set up your scope) as well as a group campground; a canoe camping area; a children’s nature play area; a picnic pavilion; and a reconstructed Indian Village with displays that focus on the Native Americans’ relationship with the Patuxent River. Thanks to Patuxent Liaison Tom Newton and MD Advocacy Director Dave Magill for all of the work required to make these trails a reality. The Patuxent is the longest river located entirely within the state of Maryland, and its watershed spans seven counties: Howard and Montgomery in the state’s Central Region, and Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s Counties in the Southern Region. Proceed 3.0 miles to Croom Airport Road on the left, watching carefully for the turn, which is marked with a sign for Patuxent River Park. There is a pollinator garden featuring native plans near the Visitor Center and the restroom area. The “Jug Bay” itself is an expanded section of the river where it is about a half-mile wide. There is good birding all along the entrance road, so drive slowly with your windows down. There is ample parking in designated lots at the Visitor Center, Jackson Landing, Selby’s Landing, Croom Airport, and St. Thomas Church Road. We’ve made it easier than ever to donate to the Birder’s Guide to Maryland and DC. The Driving Tour route goes through mature hardwood forest and then over a remarkable 300-yard-long trestle bridge that spans the marshes of Mattaponi Creek, a tributary of the Patuxent River. Recent Post by Page. Patuxent River Park–St. Description. Greg Kearns, a naturalist with Patuxent River Park, has been conducting banding studies on Sora at Jug Bay for many years. Jug Bay Natural Area has several miles of trails, as well as boat launches and a tower that allows for great views of the river. 97. The hiking trails all lead from various parking lots within the park's grounds, part of which is a state wildlands area. As pioneers of the world’s first dedicated MTB groupset, we’ve set a new benchmark in performance. There's no telling how many miles there are — some people walk around for … The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. The trail has many wet sections that do not dry out easily being so close to the river. I love riding along the Little Patuxent River as it merges into the Middle Patuxent River. Adjacent to Selby’s Landing is a monument and interpretive displays for the Croom Airport/Columbia Air Center Historical Site; the airport, which operated from 1941 to 1956, was the first African-American flying field in the U.S., at a time when other airfields were open to whites only. 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