Dierssen Wildlife Management Area

Dierssen Wildlife Management Area is a protected nature reserve covering about 40 acres between the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and the Potomac River. It contains marshy woodland and two ponds that provide habitat for birds and other wildlife.

The land was donated to serve as a waterfowl sanctuary and was named after Marshall Bidwell Dierssen, a local conservationist. This reflects early conservation efforts that helped protect the region's natural resources.

Schools and local groups use this place to study nature and learn about protecting wildlife. It has become an important spot for environmental education in the community.

You can enter through the Pennyfield Lock parking area near milepost 19.7, and the site welcomes visitors year-round for hiking and nature photography. The location is easy to reach and requires no special permits or equipment.

The area maintains special nesting boxes for wood ducks and sits along an important migration path for birds traveling the Potomac route. This makes it a critical stopover point for thousands of migratory species each year.

Location: Montgomery County

Website: https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/publiclands/central/dierssen.aspx

GPS coordinates: 39.05840,-77.30400

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:15