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Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge – Blackwater NWR visitors center and grounds - 2📷 Ser_Amantio_di_Nicolao, CC BY-SA 3.0
Editor's pick

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Cambridge, MD

Nature

Marshes with one of the densest bald eagle populations on the East Coast and wintering ducks and geese. Drive the Wildlife Drive slowly with binoculars ready.

Nearest town
Cambridge, MD
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
38.4440, -76.1170
Editor's pick
★

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Cold, short days in January. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Chesapeake Bay: Annapolis to Blackwater – Keck Center of the National Academies© AgnosticPreachersKid · CC BY-SA 3.0
50
Things to do in…

Chesapeake Bay: Annapolis to Blackwater

69 mi9 stops3 days

Nearby

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center – Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad NHP visitors center and grounds - 14© Ser_Amantio_di_Nicolao · CC BY-SA 3.0
History

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center

Church Creek, MD
2016-07-20 09 24 32 Pond at the head of Grays Creek in Calvert Cliffs State Park, Calvert County, Maryland© Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nature

Calvert Cliffs State Park

Lusby, MD
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum1© miketnorton · CC BY 2.0
Editor's pick
History

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

St. Michaels, MD
2025-06-04 12 08 52 Bald Cypress trees along the south shore of Trap Pond within Trap Pond State Park in Sussex County, Delaware© Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nature

Trap Pond State Park

Laurel, DE

Campsites nearby

  • Madison Bay Campground, Marina, and RestaurantMotorhome stopover
    7 mi from Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
    TentsMotorhomesElectricity
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Sandy Hill Family CampCampsite
    16 mi from Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking water
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Roaring Point Waterfront CampgroundCampsite
    17 mi from Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Matoaka Beach CabinsCampsite
    20 mi from Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
    TentsToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Camp ESPACampsite
    20 mi from Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
    ElectricityShowersToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Breezy Point Beach and CampgroundCampsite
    25 mi from Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Maryland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge?

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is in Cambridge, MD, at GPS 38.4440, -76.1170. It is about 17 mi from Oxford.

Can you camp near Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Madison Bay Campground, Marina, and Restaurant, about 7 mi away; within 25 mi there are 15 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge?

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Chesapeake Bay: Annapolis to Blackwater.

What is there to see near Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge?

Places worth a stop nearby: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center (1 mi), Calvert Cliffs State Park (18 mi), Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (24 mi) and Trap Pond State Park (35 mi).

When is the best time to visit Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge?

The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)