Within ~30 minutes of Silver Spring

Wheaton Regional Park (wedding venue) — Silver Spring, MD 

Address: 2000 Shorefield Rd, Silver Spring MD 20902 (Map here) https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/wheaton-regional-park/

Wheaton Regional Park boasts almost 10 miles of trails. A four-mile network of hard-surface trails traverse the southern portion of the park. The natural-surface trail network includes nature trails oriented to Brookside Nature Center.

Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park — Silver Spring, MD

Address: Burnt Mills Special Park West 10701 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20901

https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/northwest-branch-stream-valley-park/rachel-carson-greenway-northwest-branch-stream-valley-park-trails/

Located in one of the county’s best natural areas, the Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park hosts both a hard surface trail and natural surface trails.

The natural surface trail is roughly 8 miles long and can be enjoyed by hikers, bikers, and equestrians.

Rock Creek Park — Washington DC 

Address: Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium 5200 Glover Road NW, Washington, DC 20015

https://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/index.htm

Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation's capital. This 1,754 acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the third national park to be designated by the federal government. It offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge, recreation, fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals, and thousands of years of human history. It has over 32 miles of hiking trails leading to scenic views and American history sites.

Lake Artemesia — Greenbelt, MD

Address: 8200 55th Avenue, College Park MD 20740 https://birdersguidemddc.org/site/lake-artemesia-natural-area/

Lake Artemesia Natural Area is located just outside College Park in northern Prince George’s County. It is a large (by suburban standards) 38-acre lake created on the site of a former maze of fish ponds, excavated by the DC Metro for gravel for its rail line. In mitigation, Metro constructed the lake and surrounding paved trails and facilities. There is a 2.4 mile paved loop around the lake, which is a popular destination for birders due to the lake’s ability to draw waterfowl and other migratory birds.

US National Arboretum — Washington DC

Address: 3501 New York Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 https://www.usna.usda.gov/ 

Established in 1927 by an act of Congress, the Arboretum aims to increase the aesthetic, environmental and economic importance of landscape and ornamental plants. The attraction does so through gardens and exhibits, long-term botanical research and conservation of resources. The gorgeous, 446-acre property makes for an inspiring and visually captivating visit at any time of the year. Visit the Arboretum’s popular National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, Gotelli Conifer Collection, and the famous National Capitol Corinthian Columns, which once supported the east portico of the US Capitol building.

Patuxent National Research Refuge & National Wildlife Visitor Center— Laurel, MD 

Address: 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, MD 20708

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/patuxent-research

Created to conserve and protect wildlife and wildlands through research, Patuxent Research Refuge offers 13,000 acres of tranquil forest, meadow and wetlands amid a densely populated urban area. Countless birds, mammals, pollinators, amphibians, and more call it home. Immerse yourself in this natural world; visit and connect with your nature. South Tract, also known as the Dan Ashe Division, hosts 5 miles of walking trails and two scenic lakes. It is also the site of the National Wildlife Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – closed on federal holidays. The grounds are open sunrise to sunset every day. Fishing and hunting is available seasonally.

North Tract offers 25 miles of trail for walking, biking, and horseback riding. With less visitation than South Tract, North Tract offers a quiet atmosphere for those seeking solitude. The grounds and Visitor Information Station are open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. on Sundays only and are closed for federal holidays and occasionally for scheduled hunts.

Within 1 hour of Silver Spring

Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute— Washington DC

Address: 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008 https://nationalzoo.si.edu

Parking is very limited at the Zoo - best option is to take Metro red line to the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Station and walk ~0.5mi (or use a ride share service)

Sandy Point State Park & Corcoran Environmental Study Area — Annapolis, MD

Address: 1100 East College Parkway Annapolis MD 21409 https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/southern/sandypoint.aspx

This 786-acre Maryland State Park is located along the northwestern shore of the majestic Chesapeake Bay. The park’s beaches and picnic areas are well known for their breathtaking scenic water views that overlook one of Maryland’s true treasures, the Chesapeake Bay. To visit Corcoran Woods, turn onto Log Inn Road before Sandy Point State Park. Log Inn Road becomes Tydings Road, and on the right is the parking lot. Across the road from the parking lot is the main entrance to the fenced Corcoran Environmental Study Area.

Regional, 2+ hours

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge — Rock Hall, MD

Address: 1730 Eastern Neck Road, Rock Hall, MD 21661 https://www.fws.gov/refuge/eastern-neck

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge is a 2,285 acre island providing habitat for thousands of wintering waterfowl, including the tundra swan. Swans feed off of grasses in the river and narrows as do the waterfowl. Eastern Neck refuge supports a wide variety of habitats including brackish marsh, natural ponds, upland forest, and grasslands. The refuge holds the designation of Important Bird Areas by the Audubon Society. Over 240 bird species visit the refuge along with small mammals and many other wildlife species. The refuge offers wonderful wildlife viewing and expansive views of the Chester River and Chesapeake Bay along 7 different trails. The Visitor Contact Station, located in a historic hunting lodge, is staffed by volunteers and features exhibits about the habitats and history of the refuge, as well as a gift shop operated by the nonprofit Friends of Eastern Neck.

Assateague Island National Seashore — Assateague, MD Address: Visitor Center, 11800 Marsh View Lane Berlin, MD 21811 https://www.nps.gov/asis/index.htm

Assateague Island is a 37-mile long barrier island located off the eastern coast of the Delmarva [Delaware-Maryland-Virginia] Peninsula facing the Atlantic Ocean. The northern two-thirds of the island is in Maryland, and the southern third is in Virginia. See the famous wild horses, explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests and coastal bays. Rest, relax, recreate and enjoy some time on the edge of the continent.

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