U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Patuxent

Research Refuge

South Tract Trail Map

National Wildlife 

Visitor Center

Patuxent Research Refuge

10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop

Laurel, MD 20708-4027

301/497 5580

301/497 5765 FAX

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/patuxent/

Federal Relay Service

for the deaf and hard-of-hearing

1 800/877 8339

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1 800/344 WILD

http://www.fws.gov

February 2008
Welcome Patuxent Research Refuge, 

established by President Franklin 

D. Roosevelt in 1936, was America’s 

first and only refuge devoted to 

support wildlife research. Patuxent’s 

mission is “to help protect and 

conserve the nation’s wildlife and 

habitat through research on critical 

environmental problems and issues.” 

Its 12,750 acres of forest, meadow, 

and wetland habitats are managed to 

promote biological diversity and the 

protection of native and migratory 

bird species. The refuge staff 

encourage compatible public uses 

in designated areas.

Loop Trail 

0.5 km/0.3 mi

(wheel chair 

accessible)

Loop Trail is the refuge’s only paved 

trail. It starts at the visitor center’s 

gallery door and offers views of 

Lake Redington and Cash Lake. 

Plantings along the trail highlight 

a power company’s right-of-way 

management program, a meadow 

and a created wetland. This trail also 

provides access to other trails and 

to a boardwalk with an accessible 

wildlife observation blind.

Goose Pond Trail

0.3 km/0.2 mi

This trail parallels the woods’ 

edge as it wanders through a 

forested wetland to a pond where 

one may observe waterfowl and 

waterfowl management. An outdoor 

environmental area is available 

to educational groups. Access to 

the Cash Lake and Laurel trails 

begins here.

Cash Lake Trail

2.3 km/1.4 mi

Cash Lake trail loops around the 

53-acre Cash Lake, the refuge’s 

largest water impoundment. This 

trail connects to Valley Trail. Floating 

walkways provide access to a grassy 

peninsula on the south side of Cash 

Lake. This south portion of the trail is 

closed seasonally to avoid disturbance 

to nesting and wintering waterfowl. 

Visitors have many opportunities 

to observe a variety of wildlife 

from this trail. Beavers swim and 

play in the lake. Visitors may view 

waterbirds from an accessible wildlife 

viewing blind located near the lake’s 

headwaters. 

Valley Trail

0.9km/0.6 mi

This trail connects Cash Lake Trail 

and Laurel Trail. It follows a gully 

through a woodland valley. Along 

this trail, visitors will see features 

of a predominantly oak and beech 

hardwood forest.

Fire Road Trail

1.5 km/0.9 mi

This trail begins at the edge of the 

visitor center parking lot near the 

exit road and leads to the intersection 

of the Valley and Laurel trails. This 

trail follows an old fire road through 

a pine and hardwood forest that was 

formerly a forestry research area.

Male hooded 

merganser

Buck

This goose, designed by 

J.N. “Ding” Darling, has 

become the symbol of the 

National Wildlife Refuge 

System.
Goose

Pond

Trail

Fire Road Trail

Loop

Cash Lake Trail

Cash Lake Trail

Valley Trail

Trail

Laurel Trail South Tract Trail Map

(not to scale)

Patuxent

Research Refuge

Trail

Floating Walkways

Boardwalk

Road bridge

Parking

Fishing pier

(Permit only)

1 Loop Trail .3 mi/.5 km

2 Goose Pond Trail .2 mi/.3 km

3 Cash Lake Trail 1.4 mi/2.3 km

4 Laurel Trail .4 mi/.6 km

5 Valley Trail .6 mi/.9 km

6 Fire Road Trail .9 mi/1.5 km

Goose

Pond

Cash

Lake

Lake Redington

Closed seasonally

Viewing blind

1

3

2

4 3

5

6

Entrance Road

Exit Road

Visitor

Center

N
Laurel Trail

0.6 km/0.4 mi

This woodland trail connects 

Goose Pond Trail to Valley Trail 

and Fire Road Trail. It is named 

for the mountain laurel lining the 

trail. This trail is dedicated to 

Chandler S. Robbins, a researcher at 

the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research 

Center who has spent more than 

50 years studying migratory birds 

and their environment. 

Other wildlife 

viewing 

opportunities

Guided electric tram tours are 

offered seasonally through woodlands 

and wetland areas. A variety of 

wildlife and research activities may 

be seen along the way. Tickets can 

be purchased in the bookstore. Hiking 

or driving on the tram route is not 

permitted.

Regulations To better protect our wildlife and its 

habitat and to prevent disturbance 

to ongoing research, we ask visitors 

to remain on marked trails and to 

respect posted signs and regulations.

Removal of wildlife or plants from the 

refuge or introduction of new species 

is prohibited.

Non-wildlife related recreational 

activities such as picnicking, ball 

playing, camping and sunbathing 

are not permitted.

Possession of alcohol is not permitted.

The trails are designed for foot traffic 

only. Bicycles are not permitted. Dogs 

are permitted on the trails but must 

be kept on a leash no longer than 

10 feet and must be under control 

at all times.

If you have any questions, refuge 

staff and volunteers will be happy 

to assist you. Enjoy your National 

Wildlife Refuge System experience 

at Patuxent Research Refuge.

National Wildlife Visitor Center 

and all trails close at 4:30 pm unless 

otherwise posted.

Wood ducks with 

nest box

Great blue heron 

© Julien Beauregard

Canada 

goose