| Parkers Creek Watershed Nature Preserve Prince Frederick, MD |
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Parkers Creek Watershed Nature Preserve protects one of the last remaining pristine watersheds on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Located just north of Calvert Cliffs in southern Maryland, nearly 3,000 acres are conserved and managed here by the American Chestnut Land Trust.
The brackish tidal stream known as Parkers Creek meanders through salt marsh to the Bay's shoreline. Visitors to the preserve may walk more than 15 miles of trails, exploring hardwood forests, farmland, wetlands, salt marsh, Chesapeake shoreline and the Creek itself. Guided canoe trips of the creek are also offered.
From the north: Travel south on Maryland routes 2 or 4, which combine into a single road northern Calvert County. Proceed south and then follow directions for either of the options below:
- Northern section trails (Double Oak Farm trailhead): Turn left on route 402 (Dares Beach Road) at light in Prince Frederick and proceed 2 miles east. Turn right onto Double Oak Road and drive 1 mile. Turn left onto the lane across from open field, past house to designated parking. Trail maps are available at the parking lot.
- Southern section trails (Gravatt Tract Trailhead): Go 4 miles south on Route 2/4 from the intersection of Route 231 in Prince Frederick; turn left onto Parkers Creek Road, cross Rt. 765 and then turn right onto Scientists' Cliffs Road; drive .8 miles to the American Chestnut Land Trust parking lot on the left. Please sign in at the registry box where trail maps are available.
From the south and Virginia: From Virginia, cross the Potomac River bridge on US 301, proceed to the intersection with MD route 234 turn right; proceed on 234 to MD route 4 near Leonardtown. Travel north on 4, crossing the Patuxent River to Solomons. Proceed north from Solomons on the combined MD routes 2 & 4 and follow the directions for either of the options below:
- Southern section trails (Gravatt Tract Trailhead): Travel north on routes 2/4 for about 15 miles to just south of Prince Frederick; turn right onto Parkers Creek Road, cross Rt. 765 and then turn right onto Scientists' Cliffs Road; drive .8 miles to the American Chestnut Land Trust parking lot on the left. Please sign in at the registry box where trail maps are available.
- Northern section trails (Double Oak Farm trailhead): From MD routes 2/4 in Prince Frederick, turn right on route 402 (Dares Beach Road) at light and proceed 2 miles east. Turn right onto Double Oak Road and drive 1 mile. Turn left onto the lane across from open field, past house to designated parking. Trail maps are available at the parking lot.
676 Double Oak Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
PO Box 2363
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
The American Chestnut Land Trust sponsors canoe and kayaking trips during the year and also manages limited access to a state beachfront property for groups wishing to canoe the area. Contact ACLT at 410-414-3400 or view and register for events on-line. Designated mountain biking trails are available on the preserve's southern trail system.
