Hike the South Tract Trails at Patuxent Research Refuge

Laurel, Maryland

Save

View all 4 photos

All 4 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

5 miles

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Ashley Stimpson

Beech trees, boardwalks, and bird blinds are the highlights of the South Tract's 5 miles of interconnected trails.

From the visitors center, start on the Fire Road trail. From there, it's a choose-your-own adventure (choose-your-own ecosystem, actually). Pick the Laurel and Valley Trails to stay in the quiet (and maybe enchanted? It felt enchanted) forest. Goose Pond trail is a short jut to a--yup--pond, where herons pose for instagram-worthy shots. Cash Lake loop is the star of the show. Nesting boxes and bird blinds surround the lake, and fisherman dreaming of largemouths line the pier. Floating trails lead you through expansive fields of lily-pads. Plan on animal encounters, bird sightings, and a deep feeling of gratitude to Franklin Roosevelt for setting this one aside.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Fishing

Photography

Running

Hiking

Bathrooms

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Forest

Groups

River

Scenic

Wildflowers

Wildlife

ADA Accessible

Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Visit Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are a unique spot in Washington, D.C. The grounds are full of ponds, boardwalks, and a trail that connects you to the Anacostia River Trail. The main draw of this park are the ponds full of lotus flowers. During the summer months, they grow tall with colors ranging from white to deep pink. In other ponds, there are white, pink, and purple water lilies. One of the ...

Hike the Cascade Falls and Rootball Loop Trail

Cascade Falls Loop

This hike is a great place to escape the city feel of Baltimore and disappear into the wilderness. Enter through the Avalon Area entrance. There is a cash fee to enter the park. Once you pass the front gate continue past the initial picnic area. Continue through the park to the Orange Grove Area and park here. There is a bathroom near by and a map of the number of different of trailheads to ch...

Hike the Soapstone Valley Trail

This is an out-and-back trail that starts and ends on different roads, but you will have better luck parking on Albemarle Street NW (where I have indicated the trailhead is on the map). This is a long street with plenty of street parking, just pay attention to the signs to see how long you can leave your car there.The trail head is hard to miss - There is a sign on the side of the road that say...

Visit the National Mall in Washington D.C.

Everyone has so many things on their plates these days that take all their time up. It is hard to get away for adventures or to experience new things. The National Mall in Washington D.C. is within an hour from millions of people on the East Coast. This centralized location makes the National Mall a great opportunity for a micro adventure and simple day trip or partial day trip. I chose to take...

Photograph Sunrise at the Lincoln Memorial

Located on the far-west portion of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. stands the Lincoln Memorial. At almost 100 feet tall, this majestic structure overlooks the reflecting pool and offers an iconic view of the Washington Monument. Parking is almost always an issue near the Lincoln Memorial, but if you arrive early enough, you may be able to find a paid parking space nearby. The nearest Met...