Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Cambridge, MD
Marshes with one of the densest bald eagle populations on the East Coast and wintering ducks and geese. Drive the Wildlife Drive slowly with binoculars ready.
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge lies in Dorchester County on Maryland's Eastern Shore, about 12 miles (19 kilometers) south of Cambridge. Established in 1933, the refuge covers about 28,900 acres (117 square kilometers). According to Wikipedia it has the largest breeding population of bald eagles on the East Coast north of Florida, and more eagles arrive from the north in winter.
The Wildlife Drive is 3.6 miles (about 5.8 kilometers) long according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; other sources give slightly different figures. You can explore it by car, bicycle or on foot, and a pass is required (online via Recreation.gov or at the self-pay kiosk). Four hiking trails (Marsh Edge, Woods, Key Wallace and Tubman Road) add to the options. In the visitor center, an eagle nest exhibit and eagle cam show the nesting birds; according to the Service it is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (as of October 2026).
In winter, Frommer's reports as many as 200 eagles at once, and thousands of geese and ducks rest here. In summer, mosquitoes and flies can be a nuisance, so bring insect repellent and binoculars. On individual deer-hunt days most of the Wildlife Drive is closed; for the 2026-27 season these are December 4, 2026, and January 8, 2027, so check the closure dates before you go.
- Nearest town
- Cambridge, MD
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 38.4440, -76.1170
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Cold, short days in January. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Madison Bay Campground, Marina, and RestaurantMotorhome stopover7 mi from Blackwater National Wildlife RefugeTentsMotorhomesElectricity
- Sandy Hill Family CampCampsite16 mi from Blackwater National Wildlife RefugeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking water
- Roaring Point Waterfront CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Blackwater National Wildlife RefugeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Matoaka Beach CabinsCampsite20 mi from Blackwater National Wildlife RefugeTentsToilets
- Camp ESPACampsite20 mi from Blackwater National Wildlife RefugeElectricityShowersToilets
- Breezy Point Beach and CampgroundCampsite25 mi from Blackwater National Wildlife RefugeTentsCaravansDrinking waterToilets
All campsites in Maryland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge?
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is in Cambridge, MD, at GPS 38.4440, -76.1170. It is about 17 mi from Oxford.
Can you camp near Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Madison Bay Campground, Marina, and Restaurant, about 7 mi away; within 25 mi there are 15 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge?
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Chesapeake Bay: Annapolis to Blackwater.
What is there to see near Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge?
Places worth a stop nearby: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center (1 mi), Calvert Cliffs State Park (18 mi), Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (24 mi) and Trap Pond State Park (35 mi).
When is the best time to visit Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)