Patuxent Research Refuge

We really enjoy hiking the trails here. Decent bird watching when the weather is cooperative. Often see turtles and frogs by the water. Some folks fish off the dock. Not a long hike; family friendly. Benches throughout the area to rest or enjoy gazing at the nature trails. Highly recommend.

The sunrise here is so nice and peaceful. I love getting lost in nature and walking the trails. It's easy to forget how close you actually are to all of the hustle and bustle. The birds and the wind tell the best stories. ud83dude0a

Overall this is a decent place for a hike and viewing. Very kid and family friendly, bunch of dogs too. Big parking area, visitor center was closed, and there was a single outside bathroom from what I saw. Very flat and easy trails either looping through the forests or along the “lakes.” Honestly nothing special, saw very little wildlife, and there weren’t many places to sit and just soak it in. Relatively crowded on the weekends as well. Don’t forget it’s hunting season so many of the trails are closed and for those you opt not follow the rules and stay on the trails - think again. Overall nothing special hence the 4. Recommend heading up to the less traversed north tract side.

Really nice park with wide well marked trails. There are nice views of the Patuxent throughout the park and floating bridges crossing over the water. Nice parking lot and porta potty.

Great place to walk your dog or just to take a nice stroll through a natural park. Very clean and very beautiful!