Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area

Directions:

From Bay Bridge (East bound): Travel 12.5 miles eastbound on Route 50 and turn right onto Carmichael Road. Travel 5.1 miles on Carmichael Road till you cross the Wye Island Bridge. From the Wye Island Bridge, travel south on Wye Island Road for approximately 4.2 miles. Numerous public parking areas are available along Wye Island Road.

General Description:
Located in Queen Anne's County between the Wye and Wye East Rivers in the tidal recesses of the Chesapeake Bay, the island's tidal wetlands and 30 miles of shoreline provide a diverse habitat for an abundance of wildlife. Wye Island's more than twelve miles of multi-access trails provide a way to explore the island's tidal wetlands and view the wildlife. Visitors can see a variety of birds and animals including ducks, geese, wading birds, Bald Eagles, the endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrel, whitetail deer, and many other species.

The Trails:

The trails are unpaved and generally level. Use caution after it has rained. When wet, the trails can become very slippery. Riders may encounter obstacles such as roots, ruts and branches. Unless otherwise posted, trails are open to hikers, cyclists and equestrians. This is an environmentally sensitive area so come here to enjoy the scenery and amazing wildlife but tread lightly and leave no trace.

Wye Island Road: 4.2 miles (easy)
Wye Island Road is a multi-use trail utilizing the county road and the gravel road from Wye Island Bridge to the Ferry Point parking area. This trail gives visitors the overall picture of Wye Island, from agricultural fields to the old growth forest.

Holly Tree Trail: 1.5 miles (easy)
Visit the old Holly Tree, more than 250 years old, a short distance (520 feet) from the trailhead. Enjoy viewing a variety of wildflowers among the field's planted warm season grasses.

Osage Trail: .6 mile (easy)
Named for the abundant population of Osage trees on the island, this loop trail provides a view of waterfowl in Big Woods Cove. Osage trees are distinguished by their large seedpods, which are nearly the size of softballs. Osage trees originated in a small region of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, which was home to the Osage Indians, who used its wood for bows. Osage trees have been planted as hedge fences all over the midwestern and eastern United States.

West Corner Trail: .5 mile (easy)
Agriculture has historically played a large role on Wye Island. Follow this trail on the ends of an agricultural field and discover two scenic views of Bennett's Point on the far side of the Wye River. Ferry Landing Trail can be accessed from this trail.

Ferry Landing Trail: 1.1 miles (easy)
Enjoy the natural cover provided by the Osage Orange trees as you make your way down to Drum Point. This wide trail was once an access road to an old hand-drawn ferry that ran from Wye Island to Bennett's Point. For another scenic route, take the Jack-in-the-Pulpit Trail (0.5 mile - moderate), which forms a circular route between Ferry Landing Trail and the sandy beach at Drum Point. This is an ideal spot for a picnic lunch overlooking the water.

Dividing Creek: Trail 2.5 mile (easy)
Beginning at the Equestrian Parking area, this long trails follows the edge of an agricultural field where a wide variety of songbirds and sometimes whitetail deer are seen. This trail gives you an opportunity to view the open sky often filled with soaring crows, as well as turkey and black vultures. This is also a great area to watch for Delmarva Fox Squirrels.

Note: Hikers, cyclists and equestrians are encouraged to avoid traveling on agricultural fields. Please use trails, buffer strips and grass waterways for access. Horses and bicycles are prohibited on the Schoolhouse Woods Nature Trail. Please obey all signs. Areas may be closed to access due to weather or hazardous conditions. Please call ahead to confirm access.

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