Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

  • The Blackwater Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
  • The Wildlife Drive and refuge trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
  • Port-o-lets are available in three locations: In the Visitor Center parking lot, at the entrance to Wildlife Drive, and at the Woods Trail parking lot.

Located 12 miles south of Cambridge, the refuge has more than 30,000 acres of woodland, rich tidal marsh, freshwater ponds and managed cropland—great for birdwatching, cycling, hiking, paddling, and nature photography.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is one of the chief wintering areas for migrating ducks and Canada geese using the Atlantic Flyway. Throughout the year there is a diverse population of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians to enjoy watching and photographing, including bald eagles and Delmarva fox squirrels.

The refuge features a full-service Visitor Center with a bookstore, restrooms, butterfly garden, and observatory, and a 4-mile Wildlife Drive with walking trails and a photo blind.

Osprey Cam!

Get a close-up view of osprey life by watching the Osprey Cam! Blackwater Refuge has a camera perched on an osprey nesting platform. Ospreys are migrating birds, so look for action mostly March through November. During winter migration (October-March) check out the refuge's Waterfowl Cam at http://friendsofblackwater.org/waterfowl-cam.html

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Hours
Sunday: 10am-4pm
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-4pm
Closed: Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
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