Located about 40 minutes South of Baltimore, the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge is one of the region's few refuges where visitors can view animals in their natural habitat. This refuge sits on 12,841 acres of land that surround the Patuxent and Little Patuxent River. Its mission is to protect and conserve the area's wildlife and habitat while teaching the public, both young and old, about the part we all can play in these efforts. A visit to the Refuge makes for a wonderful family field trip - low maintenance and low cost.

Goose Pond — Photo courtesy of Fish & Wildlife Service

The park is in a world of its own, unmarked by the modern commotion of the world around it. The refuge offers other activities for visitors and can be particularly educational for children. There are scenic hiking trails, interpretive programs on environmental issues, migratory bird studies, new interactive exhibits, as well as seasonal tram tours.

To make the most of the experience, a quick trigger-finger for the camera and a pair of binoculars would do you good. You can catch wildlife such as camouflaging praying mantis, beavers, frogs, owls, deer and more. There's a wildlife festival that takes place during the second weekend of October and features activities for visitors of all ages. In addition, during the first weekend of December, the refuge will host an all-day Wildlife Holiday Bazaar to usher in the season. These events help to support the refuge and provide education for visitors.