Website: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/merkle.asp
Coordinates : W 38-43-44N 76-41-49W
Address & Directions from a Major Highway :
Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary
11704 Fenno Road
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-888-1410
Traveling south on Route 301, beyond the Route 4 intersection, turn left onto Croom Road (Route 382). Turn left on Croom Road and follow to St. Thomas Church Road. Turn left on St. Thomas Church Road (watch carefully for oncoming traffic) and continue to Fenno Road. Follow Fenno Road, and signs, to the Sanctuary.
Public or Private : Maryland Department of Natural Resources, State Forest & Park Service
Site Access (days & hours) :
The Visitor Center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends (November 1-March 31); and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends (April 1-October 31).
The Wildlife Sanctuary and hiking trails are open 7 a.m . to sunset daily all year, except New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day .
Special arrangements for use (requirements & contact’s phone number) : This park has a dock on Mattaponi Creek, which is not available for public use .
Special Interests (museum, fishing pier, swimming pool, etc.) :
The sanctuary offers habitats for a variety of birds and mammals. On a visit to Merkle, one may see red fox, a groundhog, or a white-tailed deer. In the summer, ospreys nest close to the Visitor Center and the hummingbirds, finches and purple martins are abundance. In the neighboring ponds, visitors are likely to see herons and other water birds. On the trails one can see bluebirds and many different songbirds.
Birdwatching, hiking, biking and fishing are available at various times of the year. Quarterly calendars listing upcoming programs are available for the spring, summer, fall and winter months. Call to have a calendar mailed to you . Pets are not allowed.
Parking: (number of spaces, distance to the water) : 18
Fees : A service charge of $2 per vehicle is payable at the entrance. Most programs are free or reasonably priced.
Wheel Chair Access : Yes
Toilets : Yes
Picnic tables : Yes
Camping : Yes
