Jug Bay Natural Reserve (Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program)
Please Note: Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for participation on all tours; additionally, current CDC and Smithsonian COVID-19 guidelines (at the time of the tour) will be followed, including but not limited to masks on the bus and indoors.
Imagine stepping foot into a wildlife sanctuary home to river otters, box turtles, and swallowtail butterflies fluttering around 70-foot-tall tulip trees and among fragrant sassafras saplings. It’s all waiting at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, a natural and cultural preserve along the Patuxent River less than 25 miles outside of Washington, D.C.
Spend a day with Liana Vitali, naturalist and educator at Jug Bay, and other park volunteers exploring the preserve to learn about the unique ecology of the area. Discover the 1,700 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and meadows where box turtles, swallowtail butterflies, and river otters all call home. Hike a portion of the 19 miles of trails—and be sure to bring your binoculars, because along the way you’ll spot some of the nearly 300 species of birds, including native osprey and waterfowl. Hop onto a pontoon boat for a ride that takes you to a hands-on mock archeological dig site, similar to those that have uncovered evidence of a large Native American settlement dating back over 8,000 years.
General Information
- Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Friday, June 10, 2022.
- Tour participants meet on site at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, 1361 Wrighton Road, Lothian, MD 20711.
- A catered box lunch is included.
- 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.
- Additional information is emailed two weeks prior to the tour.
- For additional tour information:
