Parkers Creek Wildlife Management Area

Please Note: To reduce the spread of invasive Wavyleaf Basketgrass, the Double Oak Road Trail will remain closed until further notice. Hunters may still utilize other existing trails and access hunting areas off-trail. Click here to see the location of this trail.​

Forest on Parkers Creek WMASituated along the Chesapeake Bay in eastern Calvert County, Parkers Creek Wildlife Management Area is a 1,877-acre site and one of the largest contiguous tracts of forest in Calvert County. Parkers Creek was named after William Parker, one of the original founders of Anne Arundel County. In 1651 he was granted a 600-acre tract known as Parkers Cliffs. William Parker returned to England and the land he owned in Calvert County was left to his nephew, George Calvert.

From dry, sandy, upland woods to cool, moist ravines along forested wetlands, this property has a lot to offer. Trails wind throughout, beckoning you to immerse yourself in nature. Hunting for white-tailed deer is permitted on Parkers Creek WMA in accordance with the specific site regulations.

What To See

Eastern Fence Lizard Photo by REWiegandVisitors will enjoy the vast biodiversity that Parkers Creek Wildlife Management Area has to offer. Northern river otters, muskrats, bald eagles and osprey can be found along the tidal marsh. Flowers such as golden saxifrage and miterwort, uncommon on the typically poor soils of the Coastal Plain, thrive in the rich, moist soils of these steeply sloped valleys. Eastern fence lizards and other reptiles make their home in the dry, sandy uplands, as do some unusual plants, including the Endangered rigid tick-trefoil (Desmodium rigidum), a wildflower in the pea family. For additional information about the flora and fauna here, see Parkers Creek Natural Area.

The extensive upland area and wetland forests act as a filter to maintain the high water quality of Parkers Creek. The National Audubon Society designated Parkers Creek as an Important Bird Area due to the 19 species of Forest Interior Dwelling Species (FIDS) found regularly breeding there.

Bald Eagle in a tree.What To Do

There are trails winding through the property that provide access for hunters, hikers and birders. Hikers can observe ancient shell deposits from the Miocene Epoch that produce fossils along the Chesapeake Bay. Hikers will find extensive trails for bird-watching, nature photography, or just a daytime get-away.

Area Regulations

  • Use of Parkers Creek WMA is generally permitted seven days a week throughout the year.
  • Hunting for white-tail deer is allowed in accordance with open seasons, bag limits, shooting hours, and site regulations.
  • Motorized vehicles are prohibited.

Non-Hunting Users

  • Non-hunting visitors are welcome. Be aware of open hunting seasons and plan your visit accordingly.

Directions

There are 5 access points for Parkers Creek Wildlife Management Area (see map below). Follow Rt. 4 (Solomon’s Island Road) to Dares’ Beach Road (Rt.402 just north of Prince Frederick). Head east on Dares’ Beach Road, the first parking area off of Simmons Ridge Road is approximately 1.8 miles on the right. The next parking area at Double Oak Road is approximately 0.3 miles past Simmons Ridge Road on the right. The parking area at Goldstein Road is approximately 1.5 miles past Double Oak Road on your right. For the other parking areas, continue south of Prince Frederick on Rt. 4 (approximately 2 miles) and turn left on Rt. 765, continue a short distance and the parking area is on the right. For the last parking area continue south on Rt. 4 (approximately 3 miles) and turn left on Parkers Creek Road. At approximately 1.2 miles you will reach a fork in the road, stay to the right and continue to the end for the Parkers Creek Road parking area.

For additional information, contact the Myrtle Grove WMA Office at 301-743-5161.

Click here for a map of the Parkers Creek Wildlife Management Area.


This area is a part of Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources public land system and is managed by the Wildlife and Heritage Service. The primary mission of the Wildlife Management Area system is to conserve and enhance wildlife populations and their respective habitats as well as to provide public recreational use of the State’s wildlife resources.

Eighty-five percent of the funding for Maryland's state wildlife programs comes from hunting license fees and a federal excise tax on sport hunting devices and ammunition. The federal aid funds are derived from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration (or Pittman-Robertson) Fund, which sportsmen and women have been contributing to since 1937. Each state receives a share of the funds, which is administered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service; these funds are used for wildlife conservation and hunter education programs, including the management of the Wildlife Management Area system.

Other sources of funds for land acquisition include Program Open Space Funding for Maryland's State and local parks and conservation areas, provided through The Department of Natural Resources Program Open Space. Established in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long-term commitment to conserving natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.