Recreational Opportunities at
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge:
Birding
Monthly guided bird walks are conducted weekends leaving from
the Visitor
Center. For a list of upcoming bird walks please check our calendar
of events. Please also check our wildlife
calendar to find out
what birds you can expect to see this month on the Refuge. Bird lists
are available upon request either by mail, email, at the Visitor
Center, or by phone (410)228-2677. The Blackwater bird list can also be
downloaded here (PDF file - 200KB)
Biking
Blackwater offers
several bike routes for the novice to experienced
biker. Cyclists can choose to complete a 3-mile or 6-mile loop along
the
Wildlife Drive. Blackwater also has a 20-mile and 25-mile route that
runs
along county roads through the Refuge's varied habitats. Route maps can
be obtained at the Visitor Center or a PDF version can be viewed here: Bike Map (120KB).
Fishing/Boating
Boating is permitted April 1 - September 30. Quality of
fishing ranges
from poor to fair. No fishing is allowed from the shore. Boat launching
is not permitted on the Refuge except for canoes and kayaks at the
canoe/kayak ramp near the Route 335 bridge. For further information on
fishing/boating
areas and other regulations see Blackwater's Fishing, Crabbing, and
Boating
brochure (PDF file - 390KB) or obtain a
copy by mail, email, at the Visitor Center, or by phone (410)228-2677.
Blackwater Refuge now has three paddling
trails, which have been recognized by the American Canoe Association
as "Recommended Water Trails for 2006." Visit the Friends of Blackwater Paddling
page for more information on the trails and acquiring a paddling map.
Hiking
Walking is permitted along the Wildlife Drive's entire 6 1/2
miles of all-weather road. The Drive runs along fresh water ponds,
woods,
fields, and marsh. A wide variety of wildlife can be viewed from the
Drive. 
For safety's sake, visitors are
asked to stay within the roadway. Please
do not enter closed areas. These areas are open to wildlife only.
Please
respect their space and habitat. Two interpretive walking trails also
are open to hikers. The Marsh Edge Trail
is a 1/3-mile trail which loops
through and along the edge of the marsh. An 80-foot boardwalk extends
into
the marsh. This trail is wheelchair accessible. The 1/2-mile Woods
Trail
loops through prime Delmarva fox squirrel habitat of pine and mixed
hardwoods.
Both trails are located along the Wildlife Drive. Maps of the Wildlife
Drive and associated trails are available by mail, email, at the
Visitor Center, or by phone (410)228-2677. Two maps are also available
on this site's Directions page.
New! Two new hiking trails are opening at the
end of 2006. Read more about our new land trails.
See our Hunting page for information on the Blackwater hunt program.
