Step into the wild at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, where nature unfolds in vivid detail just 25 miles from Washington, D.C. Wander through a living landscape of towering 70-foot-tall tulip trees and fragrant sassafras saplings, home to graceful swallowtail butterflies, curious river otters, and slow-moving box turtles.
Spend the day with Liana Vitali, naturalist and educator, and a team of volunteers as you explore the sanctuary’s rich mosaic of ecosystems. Stretching across 1,700 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and meadows, Jug Bay offers a glimpse into one of the most biologically heterogeneous areas along the Patuxent River.
Venture along some of the sanctuary’s 19 miles of scenic trails—binoculars in hand—to spot any of nearly 300 species of birds, from elegant osprey to seasonal waterfowl. Then climb aboard a pontoon boat for a ride through the wetlands to a hands-on archaeological dig site. Modeled after real excavations, this site invites you to uncover clues about a Native American settlement that thrived here more than 8,000 years ago.
Know Before You Go
- Tour participants meet on site at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, 1361 Wrighton Road, Lothian, MD. Parking is available.
- A catered lunch is included.
- NOTE: Bring water and wear comfortable, sturdy shoes. Bug spray and sunscreen are recommended. This tour includes an easy-to-moderate hike and a pontoon boat ride.
General Information
- Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Friday, October 10, 2025.
- Smithsonian Associates is a mask-friendly environment. Please feel free to bring and wear a mask at any time during a tour, both for your safety or the safety of others.
- As we aim to move away from single use water bottles, guests are strongly encouraged to get in the habit of bringing their own reusable water bottle on tour.
- For additional tour information:
