While snuggling up with a warm drink is a cozy way to spend the winter, it’s not the only option for excitement and relaxation during these cold months. Pack your hot chocolate to go and plan a day that includes a bit of outdoor adventure, with the sun shining off the snow and the chill keeping your body moving. Prince George’s is packed with opportunities for outdoor fun in the winter.

Get outside this season with one of these activities in Prince George’s:

  1. Hike across some of the 13,000 acres that make up the Patuxent Research Refuge — made up of serene forests, meadows, and wetlands. The South Tract offers five miles of walking trails around two scenic lakes, while the North Tract offers 25 miles of trails for walking, biking, or horseback riding.
     
  2. Experience hands-on farm life — and see how it’s changed over time —at Oxon Hill Farm at Oxon Cove Park. Leave behind the city, take a wagon ride through the park, and go for a hike along the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
     
  3. Strap on your cross-country skis and get to work on the Watkins Regional Park Trail in Upper Marlboro. The trail is just 1.8 miles long, so it’s an easy introduction to this winter sport. Look out for birds and other wildlife while you slide along the snow.
     
  4. Don’t let the cold scare you away from Rosaryville State Park, where multiple trails are open for daily exploration. Hike along the 1.5 miles of the Agriculture Heritage Trail or the two-mile loop of Grassland Bird Trail for an easier adventure — or tackle the 9.75 miles of the park’s perimeter trail for a bigger challenge.
     
  5. While fishing slows down in the winter, avid fishers will still have a good time taking to the waters at Bladensburg Waterfront Park. The Anacostia River is a historic waterway accessible through multiple hiking and biking trails. To fish, you can drop in a boat or use the fishing pier.
     
  6. Get extra cozy this winter when you rent a premium log cabin or cottage at Cherry Hill Park. The cabins, equipped with showers, kitchens, heat, and a fire pit, are perfect for couples and families. The cottages, each with four to six bedrooms, are great for bigger groups. Bolder travelers can find a spot for their RVs at the campground.
     
  7. Not all birds fly south for the winter. Join the Prince George’s Audobon Society for bird walks along the Luther Goldman Trail at Lake Artemesia, or in the Governor Bridge Natural Area for the chance to spot the region’s feathered friends. Experts will provide a bird checklist for visitors.
     
  8. If the weather isn’t quite cold enough for snow-filled activities, you can try out some of Prince George’s favorite fall activities instead.

 

The adventure doesn’t end when the seasons change in Prince George’s. Check out the more outdoor activities in the region.