Labor Day weekend was an adventure-packed weekend! My parents were in town, and we decided to visit one of our favorite hiking spots, Jug Bay, to enjoy the beautiful weather. Unlike our visit here last year, the Visitor Center has re-opened!! That means bathrooms with running water, and no more portable toilets, unless you really want to use them! Yes, I have my priorities straight! This also means you have to check in at the Center upon arrival, and pay the $6 admission fee. If you plan to hike here, def check the hours in advance. This area is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
The road into the Sanctuary is narrow, and unpaved. Go slow, and keep an eye out for other cars. Once we’d parked and unloaded kids and gear, we headed inside the Center. Remember to bring masks as masks are required to enter the building. The Center is tiny, but there is a staff member to take the admission fee. Plus, there are a lot of fun little displays to check out.
After we finished exploring inside, and after grandpa bought each girl a tiny magnifying glass, we set out to explore the trails. First stop was the observation deck overlooking a marsh and the Patuxent River. Views were gorgeous!
Right near the observation point, we spotted a hole and egg shells. Some critter had dug up a turtle nest and had a feast!
Leaving the vandalized nest behind, we set off on the yellow trail, called the Otter Point Trail. The trail here is nice and wide, and it was easy to avoid other people out hiking. When we reached the Railroad Bed Trail, an out and back trail, we made a right turn onto it. There were beautiful views of Jug Bay to our left and the marsh to our right. There are also two small boardwalks that branch off from the main trail. One leads to an observation blind, and the other is meant to give one a closer look at life in a marsh.
The Railroad Bed Trail ends at a pier on the Patuxent River. People can launch kayaks from here to explore the marshes and Jug Bay.
After admiring the view, and looking for marsh birds, we retraced our steps back to the Otter Point Trail. We turned right to follow the trail down to Otter Point, and more lovely views of Jug Bay. There is a boardwalk here that you can walk out onto to take in the view.
Leaving the Point behind, we continued onto Two Run Trail. We hiked past an old beaver pond climbing uphill. There were at least a dozen turtles out sunning themselves to the delight of our girls.
When we intersected the Railroad Bed trail, we made another right and took the wooden stairs downhill. We then followed the sign pointing us toward the Visitor Center.
It wasn’t long before we arrived back at the Center. Everyone took the opportunity to use the facilities, and then the girls checked out the small nature play area. There were blocks to play with, a canoe to climb in, wooden logs stacked, and more!
We let the girls play for a bit before rounding them up to head home for lunch. Weather was great, and it was the perfect morning outing! If you ever get a chance to explore Jug Bay, do it! I highly recommend it! Happy trails!
