Created to conserve and protect wildlife and wildlands through research, Patuxent Research Refuge offers 13,000 acres of tranquil forest, meadow and wetlands amid a densely populated urban area. Countless birds, mammals, pollinators, amphibians, and more call it home. Immerse yourself in this natural world; visit and connect with your nature.
Refuge Alert
Change in Hours (North Tract & South Tract)

Effective Oct. 1, 2024:

  • National Wildlife Visitor Center hours will be modified to Wednesday through Saturday 10am to 4pm. On Tuesdays, ST grounds will close at 4pm.
  • North Tract will be closed for a one-month transitional period (all of October) to allow refuge management to implement changes necessary for public & staff safety. During this time, we will be working on a transition plan to allow for open access from 8 AM to 4 PM every Sunday. 

Visit Us

Whether walking trails or fishing pond, the sounds and sights of the eastern woods give serenity to the soul.

One man and one teen fishing on Cash Lake. They are standing on rocky sore with large white clouds in the sky
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Our Two Entrances:

South Tract,also known as the Dan Ashe Division, hosts 5 miles of walking trails and two scenic lakes. It is also the site of the National Wildlife Visitor Center. 

CHANGE IN HOURS - Effective Oct. 1, 2024:
National Wildlife Visitor Center hours will be modified to Wednesday through Saturday 10am to 4pm. 

The Visitor Center is  closed on federal holidays.  The grounds are open sunrise to sunset except on Tuesdays, ST grounds will close at 4pm..  Fishing and hunting is available seasonally. 

North Tract offers 25 miles of trail for walking, biking, and horseback riding. With less visitation than South Tract, North Tract offers a quiet atmosphere for those seeking solitude. 

CHANGE IN HOURS - Effective Oct. 1, 2024:
North Tract will be closed for a one-month transitional period (all of October) to allow refuge management to implement changes necessary for public & staff safety. During this time, we will be working on a transition plan to allow for open access from 8 AM to 4 PM every Sunday. 

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Patuxent Research Refuge was established in 1936 by executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and is the only wildlife refuge established to support wildlife research. Today the U.S. Geological Survey’s Eastern Ecological Science Center carries on the refuge’s rich tradition in scientific investigation.

      Biologically, the refuge is of regional importance in that it is home to many deep-forest song birds such as the Scarlet Tanager. Patuxent’s large areas of unbroken tree cover, rare in central Maryland, allows these birds to hide from predators.

      Currently, the refuge welcomes over 200,000 visitors per year and seeks to nourish their spirits as well as the wildlife of the area.

      What We Do

      Beaver :Lodge - Lake Redington, Patuxent
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      Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It drives everything on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service managed lands and waters, from the purposes for which a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
      A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

      Learn more about national wildlife refuge       is established, to the recreational activities offered, to the resource management tools used. Using conservation best practices, the Refuge System manages Service lands and waters to help ensure the survival of native wildlife species. 

      Our Organization

      Refuge Our Organization (Programs)

      A large bird with brown feathers, white head, and yellow beak flies against a pale blue sky
      The Migratory Bird Program works with partners to protect, restore and conserve bird populations and their habitats for the benefit of future generations by: ensuring long-term ecological sustainability of all migratory bird populations, increasing socioeconomic benefits derived from birds,...
      Program
      Washington,DC
      A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
      Program
      Washington,DC

      Our Species

      Get Involved

      As an organization dedicated to conserving wildlife and habitats, there are many ways for you to be involved. This could be as a volunteer, member of Friends of Patuxent, an intern, or working with the Youth Conservation Corp.

      Projects and Research

      The work that we conduct at the refuge focuses on understanding the needs of endangered species; developing strategies to combat climate change climate change
      Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.

      Learn more about climate change       impacts; and habitat management for a variety of species, including migratory birds.