If you’re looking for a unique experience that’s both fun and affordable, Patuxent River can be a great place to go. This small town offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a day trip or a long weekend getaway, there are plenty of things to do in the Patuxent River area.
Cove Point Lighthouse
Cove Point Lighthouse is located on a shoal that marks the entrance to the shipping channel. It was built in 1846 by John Donohoo, a renowned lighthouse builder, with funding provided by Congress. The original four-acre site was purchased for $300 and the lighthouse was built with local brick. The lighthouse still stands today.
The Cove Point Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the Chesapeake Bay. The lighthouse and keeper’s home are open to the public during the summer months. The grounds are open Wednesday through Sunday. The lighthouse is closed on Mondays but you can visit the lighthouse grounds any time during the day.
There are several reasons to visit Cove Point Lighthouse. First, it is a beautiful lighthouse. Its location makes it an ideal place to spend the day with your family. It also makes for a great fishing spot. You can fish in the waters around the island.
Another great reason to visit the Cove Point Lighthouse is the history behind it. The lighthouse has guided mariners for two centuries. It also serves as a beacon for modern wine enthusiasts. They offer an eclectic wine menu, including fruit and dessert wines. The winery also capitalizes on the area’s rich soil and converted an old tobacco barn into a tasting room. The result is premium wines, served in a cozy environment.
Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary
The Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary is located on the Patuxent River. It is known for its bald cypress trees and offers a wide range of wildlife and vegetation. The sanctuary is also home to a nature center. If you are interested in geocaching, you will also enjoy the Wherigo site, which combines traditional geocaching with GPS-based adventure games. Interested participants download the Wherigo cartridge onto their mobile phone and follow the instructions to find the cache.
The nature center features numerous educational programs centered on local natural and cultural heritage. Group programs are available, but advance registration is required. You can also explore the historic Biscoe Gray Heritage Farm, which has been discovered to be an archaeological site, and has evidence of Native American and colonial settlements. You can also view live animal exhibits and take part in outdoor programs.
You can reach Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary by taking MD Route 4 or MD Route 506 south from the Washington DC Beltway. From there, follow Route 4 to Calvert County. From there, take MD Route 506, and turn left on Sixes Road. At the intersection of this road, look for the Battle Creek sign. You’ll find the nature center just a quarter mile from the main road.
The trees in the Battle Creek Cypress Swamp are hundreds of thousands of years old. Most of them are at least 50 years old, but some are as old as 200 years old. The oldest Battle Creek cypress is about six feet in diameter and is 500 to 600 years old. In the early 19th century, most of these trees were harvested for their wood. After the first century, some farmers used the swamp to graze cattle.
Patuxent River Park
Patuxent River Park is located along the upper reaches of the Patuxent River in Howard and Montgomery counties. It offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The state park also offers a number of unsigned hiking trails, so visitors can explore the park without any formal guidance.
You can explore the park by bike or on foot, and you can even bring your dog along. There are miles of paths that lead to beautiful overlooks. If you’re a fan of hiking, don’t miss the Black Walnut Creek Nature Study Area. The blazed trails are 3.5 miles long and loop through the dense forests. They’re also quiet, which is great for a peaceful stroll.
The Patuxent Rural Life Museums are another interesting place to visit in the park. The museum is open every Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., and it is free. Tobacco was a major industry in the area until 1998, when the state bought out the land from its farmers. You can see a variety of tools used to grow tobacco in the past. You can also visit the historic Duckett Cabin, which is open year-round.
You can also observe wildlife in the marsh areas of the park. In the 1990s, researchers at the park found that the marshes are an important stopover for migrating birds. Soras, a type of bird, rely on seed-bearing plants in the marshes to refuel. These birds can make long flights of 500 miles from New England to southern winter homes.
If you’d prefer to go on a kayak or canoe trip, the park offers kayak and canoe rentals. It is easy to get in and out of the water and there are several miles of river to paddle. The Patuxent River is home to over 100 species of fish. You can find bass, bluefish, and other species.
NAS Patuxent River Outdoor Pool
Located in Patuxent River, Maryland, the NAS Patuxent River Outdoor Pool is one of the many outdoor recreation options available to members of the military and their families. It is open seasonally and offers a variety of activities, including lap swimming and training exercises. The facility also features an indoor pool, which has six lanes and is part of the Drill Hall Fitness Complex. Authorized patrons can use the pool for free.
The Naval Air Station Patuxent River is located on the Chesapeake Bay, near historic Maryland sites and the Atlantic Ocean. The area offers beautiful scenery, great seafood, and many recreational activities. Those interested in history will enjoy spending their free time in this area. The area also has plenty of places to go fishing or hiking.
NAS Pax River Bowling Center
There are many great things to do and see in Patuxent River, Maryland. Among them are the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, Sotterley Plantation, and the Calvert Cliffs State Park. You can also take a charter boat out of Solomons to experience the surrounding area.
Located in Lexington Park, NAS Patuxent River is home to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station Museum, which contains interesting details about the rich naval aviation history of the area. The museum is now privately-funded and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
During the day, you can go bowling with your family or friends at the NAS Patuxent River Bowling Center. The center offers league play, open bowling, special youth programs, and food and beverage areas. During the week, there are a variety of classes that are free and open to anyone on base.