| 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.
From Easton (West bound): Travel westbound
on Route 50 to the Maryland Route 213 traffic light. Continue west on Route 50
for three miles and look for sign (Wye Island NRMA) and turn left onto Carmichael
Road. Follow above directions.
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.
(Trail information was provided as a public service
of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. www.dnr.maryland.gov)
For more information:
Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area
632 Wye Island Road
Queenstown, MD 21658
Phone: (410) 827-7577
TTY: call via the Maryland Relay at
or 800-735-2258 or 711 (AT&T National Relay)
Website: Wye
Island Natural Resources Management Area
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Wildlife/Family
Directions & Trail
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