Community Corner
The Great Escape: Jug Bay
There are over eight miles of woodland trails in these wetlands in Prince George's County, where you can walk, boat or canoe, hike, or ride on horseback.
The Jug Bay Natural Area is a 2,000-acre oasis right here in Prince George's County where you can escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, and experience woodlands, wildlife, water, and history.
Roughly 15 miles from the Washington Beltway, and identified by the Smithsonian Institution as one of the ten most unique ecological communities in Maryland, Jug Bay is part of the Upper Patuxent Marshes Natural Heritage Area.
There are many things to do here. You can hike, bike, ride horseback, boat or canoe, fish, camp, or hunt. There are more than eight miles of woodland trails open for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Guided birding trips and nature hikes are available year-round. Two popular fishing areas offer good tidal fishing all year. Bow-hunting is permitted during deer season, and a limited number of waterfowl blinds are leased to hunters on a seasonal basis. Primitive campgrounds are available for groups.
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You can take a guided tour that highlights the ecology of the area and history of the landscape on a pontoon boat travels the river and wetlands between April and October. Visitors can also launch their own boats or rent canoes and kayaks on site, ideal for exploring the shallow waters.
Jug Bay is located at 16000 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772.