Patuxent Research Refuge

10/24/2026

TONIGHT is Batapalooza! 🦇✨

From 6:00 to 8:00 pm you can join us at Patuxent Research Refuge’s South Tract for a night full of crafts, trivia, bingo, and a guided bat walk under the stars.

Warm up with a delicious hot chocolate bar, courtesy of the Friends of Patuxent! Don’t forget to check out their table to see their brand-new 2027 calendar.

Bring your binoculars, water bottles, and flashlights for an unforgettable evening! https://www.fws.gov/event/bat-apalooza-no-registration-needed

10/22/2026

It’s going to be a real “bat-tastic” time! 🦇 Don’t miss Batapalooza on October 24th, 6–8pm at the National Wildlife Visitor Center. We’ve got crafts, trivia, bingo, a guided bat walk, and a hot chocolate bar with all the fixings thanks to the Friends of Patuxent

Fly over for all the details: https://www.fws.gov/event/bat-apalooza-no-registration-needed

10/20/2026

Have you noticed something new on our south tract trails? We’re excited to share that colorful metal hiker medallions now mark the paths! These markers make it easier for everyone to find their way and help our staff respond quickly in emergencies. We’re working on a new trail map as well, so stay tuned for updates!

10/17/2026

Join us at Patuxent Research Refuge's South Tract on October 24th from 6–8pm for an evening packed with fall festivities for the whole family! Explore the world of bats with themed crafts, trivia, bingo, and a guided bat walk. Plus we will have a hot chocolate bar, sponsored by the Friends of Patuxent!

Don’t miss out on this fang-tastic event! For details, visit: https://www.fws.gov/event/bat-apalooza-no-registration-needed

09/30/2026

Attention visitors:
North Tract will resume its 8:00 AM opening time for the fall season. Please note that the Cash Lake gate will close on October 1st.

Thank you for your understanding!

Edit: The North Tract is only open on Sundays.

08/10/2026

Coinciding with Patuxent Research Refuge’s 90th year, we want to share an important update for hunters: while you will still need to pick up a hunt permit to hunt at Patuxent Research Refuge, permits will be free this year.

Thank you for your continued support of the refuge! Learn more here:

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/patuxent-research/visit-us/activities/hunting

08/01/2026

Breathing in Nature: Concert in the Wild at Dusk ✨

Join us on Saturday, August 15, 2026, for a serene outdoor flute performance by Carrie Rose at the Patuxent Research Refuge's North Tract, right beside the tranquil Merganser Pond. This event is sponsored by the Friends Group and is part of the Refuge's 90th Anniversary celebrations.

Please note: Registration is required for entry. Visitors who are not on the approved registration list will be turned away at the gate.

🎟️Mandatory & Free Registration:
https://www.fws.gov/event/flute-concert-breathing-nature

Date & Time:
- Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Concert: 7:00–8:00 PM
- Arrival window: 6:15–6:30 PM (Gate at 230 Bald Eagle Dr, Laurel, MD)

🌧 Rain Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026

What to Bring:
- Your own chair
- A flashlight or headlamp
- Bug spray

07/25/2026

Come check out the Friends of Patuxent Local Community Environmental Fair. It will be happening today (07/25) from 10am to 2pm.

Hosted by the Friends of Patuxent at the South Tract of Patuxent Research Refuge, this family-friendly event is part of the Friends of Patuxent’s 90th Anniversary Celebration.

07/18/2026

Join us for a Nature Photography Talk & Walk! 📷

Today, (07/18) the Bowie‑Crofton Camera Club will be hosting a special Nature Photography Talk & Walk at the refuge! This family‑friendly program is perfect for beginning and intermediate photographers, and is open to ages 5 and up.

From 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, club members will lead a 30-40 minute talk exploring different approaches to creating memorable nature photographs. You’ll learn techniques for photographing plants, landscapes, and wildlife.

After the talk, join club members for a relaxed photo‑walk near the Visitor Center, where you can practice what you learned. Check out our events page for more info:

Created to conserve and protect wildlife and wildlands through research, Patuxent Research Refuge offers 13,000 acres of tranquil forest, meadow and wetlands amid a densely populated urban area. Countless birds, mammals, pollinators, amphibians, and more call it home. Immerse yourself in this natura...

07/16/2026

Last week we celebrated a major milestone for the Patuxent Research Refuge! The successful transfer of 105 acres of forested land from NASA Goddard to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. This important addition helps strengthen the Refuge’s mission and protects vital habitat for generations to come.

Our "Hundred Acre Wood" joined a larger forest today.

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration transferred about 105 acres of forested land from Goddard to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, adding to the nearly 13,000 acres that comprise the nation’s only refuge specifically established to support wildlife research.