Aug 28, 2020 | EVENTS
Take a Summer Stroll Along the Merganser Pond Trail
The Patuxent Research Refuge is immense, spanning over 12,000 acres in Anne Arundel and PG Counties. This enormous size is important for the conservation and research missions of the refuge, but it can also make planning your visit a bit overwhelming. That’s one reason why the Merganser Pond Trail in the North Tract of the refuge is so attractive to folks in Laurel, Maryland City, and Odenton. The trail is short (just under a mile in length), flat, and protected, making it an appealing spot to take little ones on a short nature hike or bike ride. But the loop structure of the trail means that runners looking to do some speed work or distance intervals can take multiple laps without too much trouble. The nearby Merganser Pond draws a diverse array of local wildlife, which you can observe from the trail itself, or from the nearby Wildlife Observation Tower. Parking and public restrooms are available on-site.