Blackwater
Cambridge, MD 21613-9536
Plan Your Visit
With over 20,000 acres open for public recreation, you can experience the refuge year round in a variety of ways! From 5 miles of hiking to 17 miles of paddling, we have a variety of experiences. Nearly 15,000 acres are open for deer hunting from September through January. If you prefer to travel by car, we have 3.6 mile wildlife drive popular with photographers and birders alike.
NOTE: A majority of the Wildlife Drive and refuge trails will be closed periodically for deer management hunts during the 2026-27 hunting season.
Fees
An entrance pass is required for the refuge's Wildlife Drive. The pass can be purchased at the Wildlife Drive entrance (cash or check only) or online at Recreation.gov.
- An entrance pass admits the pass holder and fellow occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle.
- Passes are obtained at the self-service kiosk at the entrance to Wildlife Drive. Please fill out the provided envelope, place your entrance fee inside (cash or check), tear off your pass stub, and place the envelope in the silver lock box.
- All public areas outside of the Wildlife Drive, including the Visitor Center, are free-of-charge.
- Holders of Federal Recreational Lands Passes and valid Duck Stamps are admitted for free.
- Federal passes and Duck Stamps are available for purchase at our Visitor Center, cash or check only.
Passes are obtained at the self-service kiosk at the entrance to Wildlife Drive. Please fill out the provided envelope, place your entrance fee inside (cash or check), tear off your pass stub, and place the envelope in the silver lock box. Federal passes and Duck Stamps are available for purchase at our Visitor Center, cash or check only.
Federal passes may also be obtained online at the USGS Store. Note that there is an additional service charge and it may take a few weeks for your pass to arrive in the mail.
Digital passes may be obtained at Recreation.gov. You may request a physical pass to accompany the digital pass for an additional fee.
Lifetime Senior Pass: Lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or residents 62 yrs. or older.
Lifetime Military Pass: Lifetime pass for U.S. Military Veterans and Gold Star family members.
Access Pass: Lifetime pass for permanently disabled or blind U.S. citizens or residents.
The refuge is located approximately 12 miles south of the town of Cambridge on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. From Route 50 in Cambridge take Route 16 West (Church Creek Road) until you reach the flashing light (about 5 miles), then turn left onto Egypt Road. Follow Egypt road for approximately 7 miles and it will dead end at Key Wallace Drive. Turn left for the Wildlife Drive (0.2 miles), or turn right for the visitor center (1.25 miles).
GPS ADVISORY: If you are using GPS navigation to find the refuge, you will need to enter our physical address: 2145 Key Wallace Drive, Cambridge, Maryland, 21613. This will bring you to the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center. DO NOT USE "BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE"!
Road Etiquette: When stopping to view wildlife along public roads, please be sure to get as far off the road as safely possible and turn on your hazard lights. Do not park near a blind corner, and do not block traffic. On the Wildlife Drive, park in the pull-offs or on the right side of the road before exiting your vehicle. This will ensure the safety of visitors and residents alike.
Activities
More Activities
Featured Species
Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community and fish and wildlife by doing what you love.
Services
At this field station we offer the following public services: Federal Recreation Passes, Federal Duck Stamps, Junior Duck Stamps, and Special Use Permits.
About
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1933 as a waterfowl sanctuary and currently encompasses more than 32,000 acres. It contains one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands, providing storm protection and critical habitat for a diverse range of plant and animal species. Known as the "Everglades of the North," the refuge is home to the largest breeding population of American bald eagles on the East Coast, north of Florida.