Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge will close a majority of the Wildlife Drive for 8 days during the 2018-19 deer hunting season. The Drive closures will take place on the following dates: Thursday, October 18; Friday, October 19; Friday, October 26; Monday, November 26; Friday, November 30; Friday, December 7; Friday, December 21, and Friday, January 4, 2019. The west section of the Wildlife Drive (approximately one mile) will be open and free of charge for these days. Visitors may enter from what is normally the first exit of the Wildlife Drive, one-quarter mile west of the Visitor Center, on Key Wallace Drive. The tire shredders normally operating at the first exit will be locked down to provide access to the Wildlife Drive.
In addition, the Key Wallace hiking trail, located at the corner of Key Wallace Drive and Egypt Road, will be closed periodically during the deer hunting season. The trail is scheduled to be closed on the following dates: October 18, 19, 20, 26 and 27; November 26 and 30; December 1, 7, 8, 21, 22, 28 and 29; and January 4, 5, and 26, 2019. The Tubman Road Trail, located on Hip Roof Road, will be closed October 26 and 27 for a mentored deer hunt.
The daily operation of the Blackwater Visitor Center remains unchanged. Normal operating hours of the Visitor Center are Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm, and Saturday – Sunday 9am – 5pm. Blackwater’s Visitor Center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, but the Wildlife Drive and trails will remain open. Call 410-228-2677 for more information, or visit the refuge web site at www.fws.gov/refuge/Blackwater.
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 29,000 acres of rich tidal marsh, mixed hardwoods and pine forest, managed freshwater wetlands and cropland for a diversity of wildlife. To learn more, visit our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or follow us on Facebook @BlackwaterNWR.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
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