Patuxent
Guide to
River Park
Celebrating 50 years of
Patuxent River Park
1961 Patuxent River Watershed Act enacted
1962 M-NCPPC embarked on a land
acquisition program, purchasing 21 acres
of riverfront property in Upper Marlboro
1968 Patuxent River designated one of
Maryland’s scenic rivers
1982 W. Henry Duvall Tool Museum opens to
the public
1987 Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Tour opens
to the public
1990 Designated a component of the National
Estuarine Research Reserve System, one
of 27 sites nationwide
Patuxent River Park
T
he Patuxent River is known for its treasured
resources and natural beauty. The dense
woodlands of the upper reaches, give way
to the ecologically important wetlands of
the middle river. Farmlands dominate the
southern region creating scenic vistas as
the river flows into the Chesapeake Bay.
Archaeological and cultural resources tell
the story of 10,000 years of human habitation. Its 110-mile length is the longest river
flowing entirely within the state. In 1968, it
was designated a “Maryland Scenic River.”
2002 Destination on the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, a National Park Service
partnership
2004 Designated an “Important Birding Area”
by the National Audubon Society
2008 Patuxent Water Trail opens to the public
The Maryland-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission recognized the importance
of the river and developed a “Master Plan” for
its protection. The Commission embarked on a
land acquisition program, and today owns more
than 7,000 acres along 55-miles of riverfront
property in Prince George’s County.
The park is governed by a “limited-use” policy,
permitting only those activities that are
compatible with the natural resources and
preserve the scenic character of the river.
Several properties are open to the public.
2011 Designated a “Green Center” by the
Maryland Association of Environmental
and Outdoor Education
2012 Patuxent River Park celebrates its 50th
Anniversary
Patuxent River Park
T
Montgomery
County
he Patuxent River provides excellent opportunities for canoeing
and kayaking. The Patuxent Water Trail offers paddlers access to
the river, to camp along its banks and visit
its numerous parks, historic sites, sanctuaries
and wildlife areas. The water trail is managed in
cooperation with state and local agencies and
conservation organizations. Special rules and
regulations apply.
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1 Fran Uhler Natural Area
95
4 Patuxent River 4-H Center
3
5 Marlboro Natural Area
295
6 Billingsley Point
33
Archaeological Park
8 Jug Bay Natural Area
Selby’s Landing (8), 17601 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro.
Parking is limited to 25 vehicles including vehicles with trailers.
No personal watercraft permitted.
10 Aquasco Farm
44
301
9 Clyde Watson Boating Area
55
11 Cedar Haven Fishing Area
95
POTOMAC RIVER
495
4
66
77
Prince George’s
County
88
382
Park Activities Key
Fishing
Boating
Programs
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kayaking
fishing
historic
siteand toursfishing
and
archaeology
horseback
camping
boating
hunting
hikingnaturecanoeing
biking
canoeing
site
tourscamping
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archaeology
horseback
canoeing
kayaking
fishingkayaking
historic
site
tours
horseback
boating
canoeingnature
fishing kayaking
historic site archaeology
tours andhistoric
archaeology
campinghunting
boating camping
hunting boating
rograms
program
riding
programs
programsriding program
riding
Nature
Horseback
programs programs
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Hunting
Historic Site
boating boating
boating
Programs
Riding
noeing
kayaking
fishing
historickayaking
site
tours and
archaeology
horseback
camping
boating
huntingcamping
nature
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fishing
historic
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tourscamping
and horseback
archaeology
horseback
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fishingkayaking
historic
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archaeology
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hunting boating
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fishing tours and
historic site
tours and
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Canoeing
boating
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tours and
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boating
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boating
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biking
kayaking
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historic
and tours and
archaeology
horseback
camping
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nature
canoeing
kayaking
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historic
sitearchaeology
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and horseback
archaeology
horseback
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canoeing
kayakingcanoeing
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historic
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and
archaeology
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camping
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Biking
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R
OM
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Camping
Tours
CRO
301
Kayaking
fishing
214
Washington D.C.
Clyde Watson Boating Area (9), 17901 Magruder’s Ferry Road,
Brandywine. Parking is limited to 15 vehicles with trailers and 25
additional vehicles. Personal watercraft are permitted with restrictions;
only 7 permitted at one time, access to shoreline in posted area only
and “no wake” zone.
Hiking
22
50
7 Mount Calvert Historical &
Jackson’s Landing (8), 16000 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro.
Parking is limited to 12 vehicles with trailers and 12 additional vehicles.
No personal watercraft permitted.
kayaking
197
3 Queen Anne Natural Area
The Patuxent River Park manages three boat ramps along the river in
Prince George’s County. A “special-use” park permit is required to
launch trailered boats and restrictions apply. There is no overnight use
permitted, no fuel facilities and parking is available on a first come basis.
canoeing
Anne Arundel
County
295
495
2Governor Bridge Natural Area
Boat Ramps
nature
programs
95
Charles
County
99
Calvert
County
10
10
hunting
boating
381
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hiking
hiking
hiking
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biking
biking
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nature
nature
programs
programs
programs
hiking
biking
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canoeing
kayaking
fishing
historic
sitesite
tours
and
hiking
archaeology
biking
horseback
nature
camping
canoeing
kayaking
fishing
hiking
biking boating
nature hunting
canoeing
kayaking
fishing
fishing
historic
site
tourshunting
and
canoeing
fishing
historic
sitesite
tours
and
archaeology
horseback
camping
boating
canoeing kayaking
kayaking hiking
fishing biking
historic
sitenature
tours
hiking
and canoeing
archaeology
biking kayaking
nature
horseback
canoeing
camping
kayaking
boating
hunting
fishing archaeology
historic
sitehorseback
tours
and camping
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camping boating
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historic
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Fran Uhler Natural Area
Governor Bridge Natural Area
Queen Anne Natural Area
10300 Lemons Bridge Road, Bowie, MD 20720
301-627-6074; TTY 301-699-2544
7600 Governor Bridge Road, Bowie, MD 20716
301-627-6074; TTY 301-699-2544
18405 Queen Anne Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
301-627-6074; TTY 301-699-2544
Fran Uhler Natural Area, bordering the Patuxent River between
Bowie State University and the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
includes wooded floodplains, non-tidal wetlands, upland forests, and meadows. The park
has more than five miles of scenic woodland
trails open for hiking, bicycling, and nature
study. Visitors can also take the boardwalk
loop trail for a closer look at the river.
Governor Bridge Natural Area is located
near the Bowie Baysox Stadium. At one time
the property was an active sand and gravel
mining operation which was abandoned
in the 1960s and neglected for years. In
the 1980 s the property was selected as
a “mitigation” site and a restoration plan
was developed to return the land to it
natural environment. Today, largemouth bass
flourish in the 8 acre lake under a managed
“catch and release” program. The park has
over two miles of scenic woodland trails for
hiking, bicycling, and nature study.
Queen Anne Natural Area is located
in an historic area. The Port Town of
Queen Anne was established in 1706
and was a major river crossing from
southern Maryland to Annapolis.
Wildlife biologist Francis Morey Uhler, whose
office was near this site, donated the funds
to purchase the land in 1986. The property was an illegal trash dump but has been
restored to its natural state with the help of
volunteers. Today, the park is managed with
assistance from the Prince George’s Audubon
Society under the “Adopt-a-Refuge” program.
Access is restricted.
Directions: Located next to Bowie
State University. From the Capital
Beltway (I-495), exit onto Route 450
(Annapolis Road) East. Make a left
onto Lemons Bridge Road. Follow
road to park entrance.
The property also provides access to the river for canoes and
kayaks. The site has a launch pad, parking facilities and is the initial
launch point for the Patuxent Water Trail.
The river is susceptible to seasonal flooding so visitors are encouraged to check
river conditions and plan ahead. Access is
restricted.
Directions: From Route 301 in Bowie, turn
onto Governor Bridge Road. Go 1.5 miles to
park entrance on the right.
The park has over four miles of scenic
woodland trails for hikers, bicyclists,
and equestrians. Fishing is permitted
along the river near the old Queen
Anne Bridge. The property also
provides access to the river for canoes
and kayaks. The site has a floating
dock, parking facilities and is a launch
site on the Patuxent Water Trail. The river is susceptible to
seasonal flooding so visitors are encouraged to check river
conditions and plan ahead. Access is restricted.
Directions to fishing area: From Route 214 in Bowie, turn south onto
Queen Anne Bridge Road. Go 0.4 mile to stop sign. Proceed another
0.3 mile to park entrance.
Directions to canoe launch:
From Route 301 in Bowie,
turn onto Queen Anne
Road. Go 2.2 miles and
turn right at entrance to
the Patuxent River 4-H
Center. Take gravel road to
landing. Access restricted.
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hiking
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archaeology
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historic
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and site archaeology
archaeology
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canoeing
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horseback
nature biking
camping
canoeingnature
boating
kayaking canoeing
hunting
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historic sitefishingtours andhistoric site
archaeology
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camping
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hunting
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programprogramsriding program
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archaeology camping
horseback boating
campinghunting
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camping
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boating
boating
Patuxent River 4-H Center
Marlboro Natural Area
Billingsley Point
18405 Queen Anne Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
301-390-7259; TTY 301-699-2544
17100 Swanson Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
301-627-6074; TTY 301-699-2544
6900 Green Landing Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-627-6074; TTY 301-699-2544
The Patuxent River 4-H Center is located on 74 acres of land near
the Patuxent River and is an open space environmental education
facility. The center is a cooperative venture between the Patuxent
River 4-H Foundation, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and the Maryland
Cooperative Extension Service. The
site has cabins for overnight use, an
activity center with dining facilities, and
an outdoor pavilion. Catering services
are available.
Marlboro Natural Area is comprised of over 1,000 acres of
woodlands, wetlands and open fields. This is one of the largest
contiguous parcels of park property along the river. Much of
the property is in agricultural production
following best management practices and
a soil conservation plan. A portion of the
property is leased to the Prince George’s
Radio Club for flying remote model
airplanes and special rules apply.
Billingsley Manor is a brick
Tidewater Colonial plantation
house that sits on 430 acres
overlooking the confluence
of the Patuxent River and
the Western Branch. The
house and land were named
for Major John Billingsley,
the original 1662 land grant
owner. Even though Major Billingsley never lived on the property,
and there have been 27 title adjustments over its long history the
name “Billingsley” remains. The present house was built around
1740 by the prominent Weems family on, or very near, the site of
an older 1695 house built by Colonel James Hollyday, first Chief
Justice of Prince George’s County Court.
The center offers a wide variety of environmental education
programs and activities for people of all ages. Daily, weekly, and
overnight programs are offered regularly along with traditional
4-H activities. The center is accredited by the American Camping
Association. Advanced
reservations are required
for all activities.
Directions: From Route 301 in
Bowie, turn onto Queen Anne
Road. Go 2.2 miles and turn
right at entrance to Patuxent
River 4-H Center. Follow road
to activity building.
On the south end of the property sits
Compton Basset, considered one of the
Prince Georges County’s finest examples
of Georgian style architecture. Built in
the late 18th century, Compton Basset is
significant for its association with colonial
history, the War of 1812 and Catholicism in Maryland.
Marlboro Natural Area has over four miles of scenic woodland
trails for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. A designated parking
area for visitors and horse trailers is located off Swanson Road.
Directions: From Route 301
turn onto Swanson Rd.
Go .25 miles and bear right
at the fork. Go .25 miles to
the park entrance.
Billingsley has been substantially altered and modernized both in
the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; however it is still one of
the oldest structures remaining in the County and a unique example of a plantation house. The house is available for tours, rentals,
and seasonal events.
Directions: From the Capital Beltway (I-495), take exit 11A
(Pennsylvania Avenue, Route 4). Go 8 miles and exit onto Route 301
South. Go past Giant Food and turn left at green and white SHA Garage
sign. Follow the road past the gate house onto WSSC property (you
must announce your destination at the gate call box). Follow M-NCPPC
signs to very narrow road. Go over bridge and drive slowly along paved
road to only possible right turn, Green Landing Road. Follow road to the
house at the end and make a right into the parking lot.
boating
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kayaking historicfishing
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and site archaeology
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biking
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canoeing
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sitesite
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archaeology
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camping
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canoeing
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sitehiking
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horseback
canoeing
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canoeing
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nature
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canoeing
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archaeology
canoeing
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Mount Calvert Historical &
Archaeological Park
16801 Mount Calvert Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20773
301-627-1286; TTY 301-699-2544
Mount Calvert is one of the most significant historical and
archaeological sites in Prince George’s County. The site represents
over 8,000 years of Native American, Euro-American, and African
American cultures. In 1658 Phillip Calvert patented Mount Calvert
as a 1000-acre plantation. In 1683, an Act for the Advancement of
Trade assisted in establishing towns throughout the Chesapeake
region to encourage settlement and commerce. One such town
was Mount Calvert which eventually became Charles Town. In
1696, when Prince George’s county was established, it was named
the first seat of government. Charles Town was the center of
economic, governmental, and religious activities until the county
seat was moved to Upper Marlboro in 1721.
During the middle and late 18th and early 19th centuries, Mount
Calvert functioned as a typical Southern Maryland plantation. In
1789 John Brown built the existing federal period house and by
1860 fifty-one African Americans were enslaved at Mount Calvert.
The park features ongoing archaeological and historical research and
provides programs and hands-on
activities for the public. Hiking is also
permitted. Relic or artifact collecting
is strictly prohibited.
Directions: From Route 301 in Upper
Marlboro, turn onto Route 382 (Croom
Road). Go 3 miles and turn left onto
Mount Calvert Road and go 3 miles to
park entrance.
boating
boating
Jug Bay Natural Area
16000 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-627-6074; TTY 301-699-2544
Jug Bay Natural Area is the headquarters for the Patuxent River Park.
This 2,000 acre tract of land is comprised of various natural habitats
that buffer the Patuxent River and provide a critical link in conserving
the area’s natural resources.
Jug Bay is one of the most important freshwater tidal estuaries in the
Chesapeake Bay region. The Commission works cooperatively with
the federal, state and local agencies, and conservation organizations to
ensure that the Patuxent River remains one of Maryland’s premiere river
greenways. Jug Bay Natural Area is a component of the Chesapeake Bay
National Estuarine Research Reserve in
Maryland, a nationwide network of diverse
coastal estuaries that serve as laboratories for scientific research, education and
monitoring. The park is also a site on the
Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, a
partnership of parks, refuges, museums,
historical communities and trails where
visitors can experience and learn about the Chesapeake Bay. Jug Bay is
also designated as an “Important Birding Area” by the National Audubon
Society. Lastly, the park is a designated “Green Center” by the Maryland
Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education. The park serves
as a resource to the school community’s commitment to environmental
literacy and sustainability.
The park offers a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities to the
public. There are more than eight miles of scenic woodland trails for hikers,
bicyclists, and horseback riders. The park offers primitive tent camping and
facilities for day-use picnics. There are two fishing areas that offer good
boating
boating
boating
boating
boating
boating
boating
boating
boating
boating
tidal fishing year-round. Jug Bay has two standard boat ramps. A “special
use” permit is required to launch.
The wetlands of Jug Bay are an excellent place to explore by canoe or
kayak. The park offers daily and hourly canoe and kayak rentals and guided
trips. Jug Bay is also a launch site on the Patuxent Water Trail. Access is
restricted
The park is home to the Patuxent Rural
Life Museums. This collection of late
19th and early 20th century buildings tells
the story of life in southern Maryland.
Visitors can also enjoy the Chesapeake
Bay Critical Area Tour, a four-mile roadway
that connects the park with Merkle
Wildlife Sanctuary.
Guided interpretive programs are available on a seasonal basis for all ages.
River ecology tours aboard a pontoon boat feature the river’s wetlands,
wildlife, and history. Boardwalks provide easy access to Black Walnut
Creek Nature Study Area where guided nature hikes explore the bio-diverse communities of the river.
Directions: From Route 301 in Upper Marlboro, turn onto Route 382 (Croom
Road). Go 4 miles and turn left onto Croom Airport Road. Follow signs to the
park entrance on left.
For directions to boat ramps, see the detailed information under “boat ramps”
on the reverse side.
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Clyde Watson Boating Area
Aquasco Farm
Cedar Haven Fishing Area
17901 Magruder’s Ferry Road, Brandywine, MD 20613
301-627-6074; TTY 301-669-2544
16665 Aquasco Farm Road, Aquasco, MD 20608
301-627-6074; TTY 301-669-2544
18400 Phyllis Weatley Boulevard, Eagle Harbor, MD 20608
301-627-6074; TTY 301-669-2544
Clyde Watson Boating Area provides
boating access to the river in the southern
part of the county. The facility includes a
standard boat ramp and pier, picnic tables,
and restroom facilities. Parking is limited to
15 vehicles with trailers and 25 additional
spaces. A “special use” permit is required
to launch a trailer drawn boat. The property is also a launch site on the Patuxent
Water Trail. Access is restricted
Aquasco farm is an 840-acre agricultural site located in the rural
part of the county. Much of the land is still actively farmed, following best management practices and soil conservation plans to
protect the land. The Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital lease 80
acres for primitive camping. In addition, special areas are set aside
for beagle training and specific regulations govern their use. The
property is also managed for bow hunting in conjunction with land
Cedar Haven Fishing Area is
located in the southeastern
corner of the county, adjacent
to the town of Eagle Harbor.
Here the river is over a mile
wide and offers visitors a
panoramic view from its sandy
shoreline. The property was
developed as a fishing area and fishing is permitted along the
shoreline. A Chesapeake Bay sport fishing license is required and
surf rods are recommended. The property is also a launch site
for the Patuxent Water Trail. Access is restricted.
The facility is dedicated to Clyde Watson, a local resident,
outdoorsman, and conservationist.
Directions: From route 301 in Upper Marlboro, turn onto Route 382
(Croom Road). Go 12.5 miles and turn left onto Magruder’s Ferry Road.
Go 1.2 miles to park entrance on left.
owned by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Directions: From Route 301 in Upper
Marlboro, turn onto Route 382
(Croom Road). Go 14.7 miles and
turn left onto Route 381 (Aquasco
Road). Go 1.1 miles and turn left
onto Aquasco Farm Road. Go 1 mile
to park entrance on right.
Directions: From Route 301, turn onto Route 382 (Croom Road).
Go 14.7 miles and turn left onto Route 381 (Aquasco Road).
Go 3.4 miles and turn left onto Eagle
Harbor Road. Go 1.6 miles and
bear left onto Trueman Point Road. Go
0.6 miles and bear left onto Banneker
Boulevard. Go 0.5 miles and park
entrance will be straight ahead.
camping
Patuxent River Park
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Natural and Historical Resources Division
16000 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro MD 20772
301-627-6074 / TTY 301-699-2544
www.pgparks.com
In order to protect and preserve the fragile resources of the
river, a “limited-use” policy governs the park’s use. Only those
activities that are compatible with the natural environment
and preserve the scenic character of the river are permitted.
Advanced registration or a special-use permit is required for
all activities.
The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Register
at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program
start date to request and receive a disability accommodation.
PPC-PR-NHRD 10/12