Size: 1,021 acres

Habitat: Mostly upland deciduous woods with scattered remnant pines and Middle Patuxent River floodplain; eight-acre warm-season grass meadow; second-growth
and edge; steep slopes; several small ponds; an extensive wooded wet area; Cricket Creek plus 16 smaller tributaries; and openings created by sewer lines. Portions are managed for American Woodcock.

Best Months: Spring and fall bring the widest variety of species; summer produces a diversity of nesting birds along with numerous species of butterflies and dragonflies.

Coverage Time: From an hour or two to a long half day.

Amenities: A few widely scattered benches along the trails. All-season restrooms in the Trotter Road parking lot. Outside drinking fountains at this location are turned off in the winter.

Handicapped Access: Most of the MPEA is not handicapped-accessible, although a short section at the entrance to each main trail is level and either grass or gravel.
Parts of all trails are rough and contain steep slopes; portions along the river may contain standing water after heavy rains.
Paved Columbia Association (CA) paths originating in neighborhoods adjoining the MPEA allow some access, but some sections are hilly. Consult a CA pathways map.

Operation and Hours: Howard County parkland; dawn to dusk or as posted.

Special Attractions: Displaying American Woodcock in early spring; also, a prime county location for migrant and breeding thrushes. The two major trails contain numbered signposts at points of interest keyed to a brochure available at each entrance kiosk.

The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA) is a “forever protected” natural environmental area.  At 1,021 acres, it is the largest parkland in Howard County’s system of parks, open space and natural resource areas.  Howard County’s Department of Recreation and Parks manages the area in a cooperative partnership with the Middle Patuxent Environmental Foundation.  The area is managed using ecosystem management concepts to restore and protect the diversity of communities found in this region.

The MPEA is home to a diversity of wildlife, including about 150 species of birds, over 40 species of mammals, and numerous amphibians, reptiles, fishes, butterflies, plants and other wildlife.  This parkland is comprised largely of mature, second-growth upland forest and floodplain forest. The Middle Patuxent River runs north to south through the property, with 17 tributary streams found within the boundary.

The MPEA is bordered by Maryland Route 108 to the north, and Maryland Route 32/Cedar Lane to the south.  There are 5 1/2 miles of hiking trails in the MPEA, which may be accessed on the area's western boundary, off Trotter Road.

Trails/Paths: Trails are concentrated in the central section of the property: Wildlife Loop Trail (2.5 miles, with red metal markers), South Wind Trail (2.3 miles, with blue metal markers), and a Connector Trail (0.6 mile, with orange metal markers). The round metal markers are attached to square wooden posts or trees.