Howard Chapel/Jennings Chapel Road
Patuxent River State Park
Howard Chapel Road/Jennings Chapel Road, Brookeville, MD 20833
Known for years for the nesting Red-headed Woodpeckers in the vicinity of the river.
Amenities: This section of Patuxent River State Park has three widely separated parking lots: a small unpaved lot east of the bridge on Howard Chapel Road (HCR), a second on the west side of Jennings Chapel Road (JCR) .3 miles north of HCR, and a third (also on the west side of JCR) 1.1 miles north of the HCR/JCR intersection (shortly before the junction with Daisy Road). No facilities. Trails are narrow and may be muddy; major users are hunters and horseback riders. On the opposite side of the road from the first parking lot, a trail begins in the floodplain to the right of the “Managed Hunting Area sign.” The river is a stocked trout stream. Hunting is permitted in season on the north side of Howard Chapel Road, but not on the south (downstream) side.
Handicapped Access: Limited access. Trails are often muddy, not well-maintained, and can be difficult to navigate. Birding from any of the parking lots (especially so for HCR) can be very rewarding.
Habitat: Trees, shrubs, and Multiflora Rose dominate the floodplain; deciduous woods are found along the trail as it climbs a hillside with rocky outcrops and seepages, eventually coming out at the edge of farm fields and hedgerows.
Layout: There are trailheads in the vicinity of all parking lots. In the floodplain, trails are rough with intruding briars and Multiflora Rose canes; trails are likely to be muddy unless there has been an extended drought. Boots are advised. There are no defined trails downstream on the Howard County side of the river from the HCR lot.
From the parking lot near the river on HCR, cross the road and look for a “Managed Hunting Area” sign. The trailhead is to the right of the sign. The trail passes through floodplain where there are some seepages and rock outcroppings. In 0.2 mile, there is a right-hand trail junction that rises gently to a field. For the moment, ignore this spur and continue straight for another 0.2 mile to a second uphill junction. From this point, the floodplain trail becomes increasingly rough and eventually crosses private property that extends to the river. The second uphill spur rises through a steep-sided drainage to a field. With either of the uphill trails, you will eventually come out in a field along Jennings Chapel Road. By turning left and following the field edge and hedgerows, the trail ends at the second parking lot (used mainly by hunters). For a return to the first parking lot, simply double back, or explore the field edge for a few short trail options taking you back eventually to Howard Chapel Road.
The third parking lot (near Daisy Road) leads into the park. There are numerous confusing side trail enabling one to end eventually in the floodplain, at the edge of planted fields, or, after a lengthy and difficult route, at Annapolis Rock Road. The initial mostly straight half mile of the trail goes through relatively dry mixed woods on the right and planted fields on the left. Do not step into the field on the left! The owner is very aggressive about trespassers. At one time this provided access to hear a Henslow’s Sparrow in the fields. When the trail begins to drop toward the floodplain through more mature deciduous woods, the location has consistently produced choice breeding warblers.
A variety of flycatchers, vireos, warblers, and tanagers can be found both breeding and in migration. Wild Turkeys could be encountered anywhere in the park. A small colony of Red-headed Woodpeckers can be found much of the year on both sides of the river, mostly on the downstream side of Howard Chapel Rd.
Compilers: Mary Prowell and Joanne Solem
