Menu

Planning a Visit

Every visitor has an impact. Please follow the following guidelines to protect yourself, wildlife and the habitat.

  • Dogs are not permitted.*
  • Bikes and/or any motorized vehicles are prohibited on trails.
  • Amplified sound is prohibited
  • All groups, including home-school, day care, summer camps etc must call in advance to schedule use of the site. 
  • Please stay on marked trails and do not travel on trails that are closed- signified by white rope crossing the path. 
  • The GIlbert Byron House and the Pollinator Shed in the Pollinator Garden are the ONLY building structures in the farm area open for the public to explore. Please protect your children by keeping them out of the many barns and sheds where farm equipment and tools are stored.
  • Park in designated areas; Do not park on the road, fields or grassed areas not designated for parking.
  • Foraging/collecting is strictly prohibited- While we know that neat things can be found on hikes, from bones to feathers to antlers to flowers and greens we do not permit collection and removal of any objects from the Center property.  Each of these things are part of this place and its ecosystem, and belong here.  We’d like each of our guests to have the same great experience as you, so please admire what you see and leave it for the next person to enjoy as well.
  • Summer camps not being run by Pickering Creek, homeschool or otherwise, are not permitted to use the site while PCAC EcoCamp is in session, 9am-4pm, M-F, June 15- Aug 14.  Call 410-822-4903 with any questions.
  • Please carry out anything you bring in.

Download Resources for Exploring

Brochure & Trail map  (en Espanol) (Trail guides and maps are also available in the Welcome Center building located in the parking area.)

Bird Checklist – A list of more than 200 bird species sighted at Pickering Creek 

Autumn Trail Guide for the wetland loop

Spring Trail Guide for the wetland loop
 

Site Features

  • More than five miles of walking trails
  • Bird viewing blinds and platforms
  • Freshwater pond
  • 120-acres restored non-tidal wetland
  • 100 acres of hardwood forest
  • Successional scrub/shrub habitat
  • Pollinator Garden showcasing native plants
  • Herb garden maintained by the Chesapeake Bay Herb Society
  • Water access for individuals launching their own canoes or kayaks  

Wheelchair Accessibility

The foot-trails are not wheelchair-accessible; however, the grassed trails off of the main parking area may be accessible for some. Limited birding is possible from the main parking area and from the car along the single lane gravel driveway. There is some water view available from the dock parking lot and the backyard of the main house area at the waterfront.  Access to the dock itself is difficult for the mobility-impaired. The outdoor portable restroom is not handicapped-accessible. However, an indoor handicapped accessible restroom is available during scheduled and staffed programs or staff-led birdwalks.

Thank you for caring for our sanctuary as much as we do.

*Why aren’t dogs allowed?

We care about all animals here at Pickering Creek Audubon Center, but we do not allow dogs or other pets on our property at any time. When you come to explore nature at Pickering Creek, please be respectful of the native habitat, our resident wildlife, and fellow visitors by leaving your pet at home.  Dogs presence on our trails and grounds cause wildlife to take cover or leave the area. This in turn reduces the ability to observe and learn about nature while on at the Center, the purpose for which Pickering was established.  Dogs/pets leashed or unleashed pose a threat to visitors on our trails, keeping in mind that not everyone is comfortable with dogs or knows the temperament of an approaching dog. Our trails are frequented by young children, adults and senior adults. 
The only exception to our policy is our allowance for service animals for persons with disabilities. The ADA requires that we allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals to the Center. As an institution which recognizes the importance of serving all members of our local and surrounding communities Pickering Creek welcomes visitors with service animals consistent with applicable laws and regulations. A service animal is defined as a dog or animal that is individually trained to perform tasks or do work for the benefit of a person with a disability. The tasks or work the animal does must be directly related to the person’s disability. These laws do not cover pets or animals that are considered “therapy” or “emotional support” animals. Animals that provide a sense of safety, companionship, and comfort to those with psychiatric or emotional conditions, are not protected or covered under the law.  
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.