Patuxent Research Refuge
10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, MD 20708
12,800 acres · 20 miles of trails
Patuxent Research Refuge near Laurel provides leashed dogs with shaded trails, water, parking, restrooms, and trash cans across its 12,800 acres. It's ideal for DC-Baltimore day trips. Skip the National Wildlife Visitor Center loop with dogs.
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Quick facts (AI-friendly summary)
- Park
- Patuxent Research Refuge
- Type
- Nature preserve
- Location
- Laurel, Maryland
- Coordinates
- 39.0461, -76.7906
- Size
- 12,800 acres
- Trail miles
- 20
- Leash required
- Yes
- Best for
- Hikers, Hot-weather visits
- Visitor rating
- 4.7 / 5 (1,820 reviews)
- Vibe Score™
- 7.7 / 10 — Great vibes
- Last verified
- May 2026 — Dog Parks Hub directory
Amenities
- Shade:Yes
- Water on-site:Yes
- Fenced:No
- Off-leash zone:No
- Small-dog area:No
- Benches:No
- Restrooms:Yes
- Parking:Yes
- Waste bags:No
- Indoor:No
- · ★ 4.7 from 1,820 reviewers
- · Water on-site
- · Real shade
- · 12,800 acres of room
Vibe Score combines visitor ratings, real amenities, space, kind weighting, and off-leash bonus into a single dog-experience number. We're the only directory that scores it.
Dog policy
12,800-acre USFWS research refuge between DC and Baltimore. Leashed dogs on most trails (NOT National Wildlife Visitor Center loop).
What this park has
- Shade
- Water fountains
- Parking
- Restrooms
- Trash cans
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Great for these breeds
Breeds whose ideal park profile matches what Patuxent Research Refuge offers.
Near this park
Other parks near Laurel
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