Page 24 - Prince Georges - 2021 Destination Guide

THE OUTDOORS

WITH NATURE
Strap on your hiking miles of woodland trails by Franklin D. Roosevelt, to visit the Wizard of Oz-
and it’s the only National Wildlife Refuge established to support wildlife research. Researchers
still work there today, but visitors can take advantage of several dedicated areas for hiking, fishing and wildlife observation. The National Wildlife Visitor Center features interactive exhibits about global environmental issues, bird migration, endangered species, creature life cycles and more.
WATKINS REGIONAL
boots, hop on your
bike, or rent a kayak to explore the beautiful
parks and refuges of Prince George’s County. Take a guided tour, attend a seasonal education program, or simply set out on your own — we promise you’ll return refreshed!
CHESAPEAKE BAY CRITICAL AREA TOUR (pgparks.com/3179/ Chesapeake-Bay-Critical- Area-Tour)
This four-mile route in Upper Marlboro is open daily for hiking and bicycling, and on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for cars. It connects the Jug Bay Natural Area with Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary, and you can see educational displays and observation towers
all along the route. A 1,000-foot-long wooden bridge leads you across a marsh. For a brochure, stop by the Patuxent River Park Visitors Center at Jug Bay before setting off.
If you’d rather stay at Jug Bay, there’s plenty to do there as well. You’ll find 14
for hikers, bikers and horseback riders, as well as two fishing areas and several designated zones for waterfowl hunting. You can also explore Jug Bay via canoe or kayak along the Patuxent Water Trail. Jug Bay’s nature exploration area includes a space-themed entrance, a canoe sandbox, and a wooden tree house.
For hikers who want
to keep going, explore the four trails at Merkle
themed playground before you leave the park!
OXON HILL FARM AT OXON COVE PARK (nps.gov/oxhi/ index.htm)
Visitors to Oxon Hill Farm are invited on a journey to experience how farm life has changed over time. You can choose to take a self-guided tour as you get to know the animals in the farmyard, study antique farm equipment, or explore historic structures. You
can even sign up for one
of the farm’s interactive programs, which offer opportunities to milk cows, feed chickens, take a wagon ride, or participate in a storytime event.
TEE TIME!
Prince George’s is a great place to practice your swing! Henson Creek
Golf Course (pgparks. com/4560/Henson- Creek-Golf-Course) in Fort Washington and Lake Presidential Golf Club (lakepresidentialgolf.com) in Upper Marlboro are local favorites.
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22 PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY DESTINATION GUIDE