Maryland Department of Natural Resources

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Parkers Creek Wildlife Management Area

Parker’s Creek Wildlife Management Area is situated along the Chesapeake Bay in eastern Calvert County, near Prince Frederick, Maryland. Parker’s Creek was named after William Parker, one of the original founders of Anne Arundel County. In 1651 he was granted a 600-acre tract known as Parker’s Cliffs. William Parker returned to England and the land he owned in Calvert County was left to his nephew, George Calvert.

Parker’s Creek WMA is situated in a complex of protected land owned by the Department of Natural Resources (1,877 acres), the American Chestnut Land Trust (1,400 acres), and other various preserved properties and easements (374 acres). Collectively, these parcels protect over 3,600 acres and are one of the largest contiguous tracts of forest in Calvert County. Only the land owned by DNR is considered Parker’s Creek WMA.



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Habitat Description and Management

Parkers Creek WMA is managed by the Wildlife and Heritage Service in partnership with the American Chestnut Land Trust. The mission of the Wildlife and Heritage Service is to conserve and enhance diverse wildlife populations and associated habitats while providing for public enjoyment of the State’s wildlife resources through hunting and other wildlife-dependent recreation.

Parkers Creek WMA contains many trails for use by hunters and hikers through the many acres of forest habitat. These trails will lead hikers through the forest and along wetland habitat with a beautiful view of the creek. Many ducks, herons, osprey, and bald eagles use the wetland habitat for nesting and feeding.

Twenty acres of fields are mowed on a rotation to manage for wildlife cover and pollinators. Extensive invasive species management also occurs on the WMA. This property provides habitat for forest wildlife species like white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, and songbirds.

The National Audubon Society designated Parker’s Creek as an Important Bird Area due to the number of Forest Interior Dwelling Species. This area is also an eBird hotspot with over 170 avian species reported on the property. Parker’s Creek WMA is also designated as one of Maryland’s Natural Areas. More information this unique area can be found on the Parker’s Creek Natural Area page.

Parker’s Creek WMA is a designated Wildland and, as such, has additional protections and restrictions under the Wildlands Preservation System.


 

Regulations for all Users

Unless otherwise posted or with a permit issued by the Service, on lands and waters owned or controlled by the Wildlife and Heritage Service, it is UNLAWFUL to:

  • Catch, harass, hunt, intentionally disturb, kill, or pursue any wildlife on lands or waters posted as a “Wildlife Sanctuary” or a “Wildlife Refuge.”
  • Operate or possess a vehicle, except for licensed automobiles, boats, motorcycles, or trucks on roads, trails or waterways open to general traffic or specifically posted by the Service. Bicycles, including e-bikes and pedal bikes are not permitted on designated Wildlands.
  • Operate any vehicle in an unsafe manner or cause damage to roads, trails, or other areas.
  • Operate any vehicle on lands or waters while under the influence of any intoxicants.
  • Park a vehicle, unless engaged in a legitimate recreational activity allowed on the property and in a designated parking area. Users must obey posted vehicle quotas and/or hours of operation.
  • Bait or feed wildlife or to hunt, shoot, kill, or attempt to hunt, shoot, or kill any game bird or mammal with the aid of bait.
  • Use or construct permanent blinds or tree stands, or leave temporary tree stands overnight.
  • Ignite, cause to be ignited, or maintain a fire, unless in a designated camping site.
  • Camp, unless in a designated camping site.
  • Trap furbearers.
  • Remove, disturb, damage, or destroy any portion of a mineral, plant, rock, tree, or nongame animal.
  • Release any animals or plants.
  • Conduct commercial activities.
  • Enter any area posted as “Restricted” or “Closed Against Entry.” (The Service may remove and place in storage, at the owner’s expense, a vehicle that remains in a restricted area).
  • Operate, possess, or use combustibles, explosives, or fireworks.
  • Place a geocache.
  • Without a permit from the Office of Archeology, dig for relics and treasures, remove prehistoric or historic artifacts, or use metal detectors.
  • Deposit litter or refuse, including but not limited to animal carcasses, appliances, brush, debris, furniture, garbage, hazardous materials, tires, wastepaper, yard waste, or other litter.
  • Vandalize real property including any blind, building, crop, equipment, gate, habitat, plant, road, sign, trail, vehicle, vessel, or other public property.
  • Interfere with or hinder any Service employee from performing Service-related management activities.
  • Graze cattle, goats, horses, sheep, or other domestic animals.
  • Place decoys earlier than 1 hour before legal shooting hours, leave overnight, or remove later than 1 hour after legal shooting hours.
  • Target shoot, unless at a designated shooting range.

Visitor Information

Parker’s Creek WMA is open 24 hours a day, year-round.

  • Access is permitted via 5 public parking areas:
    • Double Oak Road
    • Goldstein Road
    • Simmons Ridge
    • Main Street (Hance Parking Lot)
    • Parkers Creek Road
  • Non-hunting users are permitted on Parker’s Creek WMA year-round. No permit or reservation is needed. Read section above for Regulations for all Users. Non-hunters should be aware of hunting seasons.
  • The Warrior’s Rest section of Parker’s Creek WMA (southeast corner) is closed to public access. No parking or entry is permitted except by authorized personnel.
  • Permitted activities include, but are not limited to:
    • Hunting
    • Hiking
    • Horseback riding – Riders must stay on trails to reduce habitat damage. Not all parking areas are suitable for trailers.
    • Fishing
    • Bird Watching
    • Paddling (no public boat launch available)
  • Dogs are welcome but must be leashed at all times.
  • Bicycles, including e-bikes and pedal bikes, are not allowed on Parker’s Creek WMA.
  • Trails are unmanicured dirt, gravel, or grass that can be rough or muddy and may be unsuitable for some users. Users are not required to stay on trails.
  • Maryland’s WMAs are trash-free, no trash cans are provided. Take all trash with you.
  • Parker’s Creek WMA has no public bathroom facilities, benches, or picnic tables, please plan accordingly.
  • WMAs are managed for wildlife and are home to biting insects and poison ivy. Long pants and insect repellant are recommended.

Hunting Regulations

Public hunting on Parker’s Creek WMA is permitted during legal deer hunting seasons, with restrictions. No permits or reservations are required. Hunting is allowed for deer only in accordance with current hunting laws and regulations established by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. See the Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping for current regulations.

  • Hunting is permitted Monday through Saturday, from Opening Day of Deer Archery Season (Friday after Labor Day) to the end of Deer Primitive Season (third day of February, Sundays excluded).
  • No hunting is allowed on Sundays.
  • Permitted hunting devices include all legal devices allowed in Calvert County in the established hunting seasons which allow them.
  • Trapping is not permitted.
  • Parker’s Creek WMA is not open for Spring Turkey Season or waterfowl hunting.
  • The Public Land Big Game Check-In code for Parker’s Creek WMA is 454
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Contact Information and Directions

Phone: 301-743-5161
Email:publichuntingpermit.dnr@maryland.gov

Directions:
Follow Rt. 4 (Solomon’s Island Road) to Dares’ Beach Road (Rt.402 just north of Prince Frederick). Head east on Dares’ Beach Road, the first parking area off of Simmons Ridge Road is approximately 1.8 miles on the right. The next parking area at Double Oak Road is approximately 0.3 miles past Simmons Ridge Road on the right. The parking area at Goldstein Road is approximately 1.5 miles past Double Oak Road on your right. For the other parking areas, continue south of Prince Frederick on Rt. 4 (approximately 2 miles) and turn left on Rt. 765, continue a short distance and the parking area is on the right. For the last parking area continue south on Rt. 4 (approximately 3 miles) and turn left on Parkers Creek Road. At approximately 1.2 miles you will reach a fork in the road, stay to the right and continue to the end for the Parkers Creek Road parking area.


This area is a part of Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources public land system and is managed by the Wildlife and Heritage Service. The primary mission of the Wildlife Management Area system is to conserve and enhance wildlife populations and their respective habitats as well as to provide public recreational use of the State’s wildlife resources.

Eighty-five percent of the funding for Maryland's state wildlife programs comes from hunting license fees and a federal excise tax on sport hunting devices and ammunition. The federal aid funds are derived from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration (or Pittman-Robertson) Fund, which sportsmen and women have been contributing to since 1937. Each state receives a share of the funds, which is administered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service; these funds are used for wildlife conservation and hunter education programs, including the management of the Wildlife Management Area system.

Other sources of funds for land acquisition include Program Open Space Funding for Maryland's State and local parks and conservation areas, provided through The Department of Natural Resources Program Open Space. Established in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long-term commitment to conserving natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.


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