Jug Bay is a place we love to visit! The last time we went was the day after school had been shuttered. It was our first hike of this long stay at home period. My kids’ stamina, thanks to daily walks, has grown so much since this hike!
Unlike the other places I’ve blogged about, Jug Bay does charge a fee of $6 per car. Active military, veterans and their families are free. Of course, they collect said fee in their McCann Wetlands Center and, thanks to covid, the Center is closed. The lovely staff here has left a board in front of the main doors with maps of this area of the Sanctuary for visitors. The Sanctuary also has set hours. They are open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9-5.
For this visit, we did the yellow loop, also called the Otter Point Trail and Two Run Trail, and added on the Railroad Bed Trail. It was a beautiful day! The main trail is fairly wide as you walk past the Center, and it is easy to keep 6 feet between yourself and others. There is an overlook you pass that you should definitely check out! We didn’t this time due to the number of people there. After following the yellow trail for a short bit, you can make the right onto the Railroad Trail, which is quite a bit narrower… It is a raised trail with marsh on either side and gorgeous views! There are two boardwalks that lead off it. The first leads to a bird blind with views of Jug Bay. The raised platforms you see are for osprey nests and you see them throughout the Sanctuary.
The second boardwalk we ventured down, the scrub shrub boardwalk, took us through a variety of flora and fauna. Stormy and Rainbow loved leaning over the edge to watch the schools of minnows.
The Railroad Bed Trail ends at the Patuxent River. There is a pier here you can easily launch a canoe from and explore the water trails.
On our way back toward the Otter Point Trail, we spotted a water snake out sunning himself.
Once we reached the junction with the Otter Point Trail, we turned right and headed down to Otter Point. There is another boardwalk to a bird blind that we passed on our way, but it was narrow and we didn’t trust Pebble to walk it without falling in. Otter Point overlooking Jug Bay is gorgeous! There is a picnic table here that is a great spot to stop and take a break.
After we left Otter Point, the yellow trail becomes the Two Run Trail. Keep your eyes peeled! You will pass an old beaver dam on your right. There are lots of logs in the pond that turtles love to sun themselves on! We must have seen a dozen!
After we left the beaver pond behind, the kiddos’ energy levels started to drop. We headed back to the car accompanied by the dulcet sounds of tired whining. Due to the exhaustion levels, we did not do the Marsh Boardwalk Trail. If you visit, I highly recommend this short loop! We’ve done it once before and it is beautiful! There is no railing so watch your littles! Once the Center reopens you should definitely check it out. Great exhibits, and there is also a nature play space outside near the Center. Last time we were here, my girls loved playing in the canoe! Oh! I should also mention, there are no restrooms with the Center closed so bring your portable! Happy trails!
