Park Info

Merkle State Park Information

Location:

Prince George's County

Merkle Natural Resources Management Area and Visitors Center
11704 Fenno Road
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Contact:

443-510-9920

Driving Directions:

From Annapolis: 32 miles
Follow Route 50 West to Route 301 South. Continue on Route 301 South to Croom Road (Route 382). Turn left on Croom Road. Continue on Croom Road and turn left on St. Thomas Church Road, which will turn into Fenno Road. Continue until you see signs on your left at Merkle Road.

From Baltimore: 38 miles
Exit Beltway (I-695) at Route 97 South. Follow to Route 3 South and then to Route 301 (joins at the junction with Route 50). Continue on Route 301 South to Croom Road (Route 382). Turn left on Croom Road. Continue on Croom Road and turn left on St. Thomas Church Road, which will turn into Fenno Road. Continue until you see signs on your left at Merkle Road.

From Washington, D.C.: 11.7 miles
From Beltway (I-495/95) follow to Exit 11 at Route 4 East (Pennsylvania Avenue) toward Upper Marlboro. Continue on Route 4 to Route 301 South. Continue on Route 301 South to Croom Road (Route 382). Turn left on Croom Road. Continue on Croom Road and turn left on St. Thomas Church Road, which will turn into Fenno Road. Continue until you see signs on your left at Merkle Road.

Hours of Operation:

Grounds open sunrise to sunset

Frank Oslislo Visitor Center: Open for viewing by reservation only. Please contact us at [email protected] to schedule a visit.

Critical Area Driving Tour: The CADT is open daily for driving, hiking, biking and horseback riding. The section of the driving tour connecting Patuxent River Park to Merkle is closed for bridge construction until spring of 2026.

Hunting Policy:

Archery only hunting for deer permitted on 1,300 acres of designated hunting areas. Daily reservations are required and are made through the Myrtle Grove Wildlife Office by calling 301-743-5161.

Pet Policy:

Leashed pets are permitted at Merkle Natural Resources Management Area