04. McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area

Located on River Road in western Montgomery County, McKee-Beshers WMA is a 2,000-acre tract that is a mixture of woodlands, fields, wooded bottomland, and managed wetland impoundments (green-tree reservoirs). The WMA shares a common boundary with the C&O Canal and Potomac River to the south and Seneca Creek State Park on the east. The alternating ribbons of flat cultivated fields, woodlands, and woodland swamp have the feel of the northern plains and lowlands of Europe. Hunting is prohibited anywhere in the state of Maryland on Sundays, making it an ideal day for walking in what is otherwise a hunting preserve for the other six days of the week. Even on Sundays, you may hear some gunshots from hunting dog trainers.

This area provides habitat for a great diversity of wildlife species including deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, over 200 species of songbirds, and numerous reptiles and amphibians. Biologists deliberately flood forests during the fall and winter in "greentree reservoirs." These attract colorful wood ducks as well as other waterfowl which migrate through or spend the winter here. Sunflower fields are planted to provide food for birds in the summer. They usually are at peak bloom in mid-July. Click here for a map of sunflower field locations.

Trail map: You can make a loop hike by starting in in the third parking lot from the right (where it says "Quarter" in "Hunting Quarter Road") and walk straight down to the C&O Canal, turning right and walking upstream on the C&O Canal Towpath, alongside the Potomac River, to the Horsepen Branch campsite at mile 26.1 on the C&O Canal Towpath. From there, take the footpath that heads north back to the parking area on the west end of Hunting Quarter Road, which will take you alongside the blue water bodies, and then turn right on Hunting Quarter Road (which is marked "closed" to traffic), and it will take you back to the parking lot where you started.

Directions: From the Capital Beltway, take Exit 39 (River Road) west toward Potomac. Proceed for approximately 11 miles to the intersection of River Road and MD 112, Seneca Road. Turn left and continue on River Road for about 2 1/2 miles. McKee-Beshers will be on your left as you head west on River Road. For additional information, contact the Gwynnbrook Work Center at (410) 356-9272.