DC has just about everything you could want from museums to restaurants, shops and history. As great as DC Is, sometimes you have to get out of the city to unwind, decompress and be part of a nature. While most people look for outdoorsy things in the summer, we found a relatively unknown wildlife sanctuary that is absolutely amazing in the winter.

Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary is an hour outside of DC in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. But even though its only an hour, it feels like its a world away.
Tripadvisor/Laura S
The sanctuary has wide open spaces, marshes, ponds and beautiful hiking trails. In the winter, it is a quite and remote oasis.
Flickr/Chesapeake Bay Program
The wildlife sanctuary is perfect for animal and birdwatching. You'll see birds, foxes, ducks, deer, crabs and so much more.
Tripadvisor/Viking1947
There are four different trails you can take to explore the sanctuary. Some are flat, some are hilly and each will give you a unique look at the area.
Flickr/Matthew Beziat

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The winter is also the only time you can see a unique sight in this area, and you have to look up to see it.
Flickr/Chesapeake Bay Program
The sanctuary was named after Edgar Merkle who was an active conservationist and worked to protect wildlife. Mr. Merkle encouraged thousands of geese to visit the 400-acre farm to feed and rest.
Flickr/Matthew Beziat
Today the sanctuary is the wintering ground for several thousand Canadian geese, the largest concentration on the western shore of the Chesapeake. it's an absolutely impressive sight to watch the birds take flight around the sanctuary.
Flickr/Chesapeake Bay Program
Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary is located at 11704 Fenno Road, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The sanctuary and the trails are open daily from 7am to sunset and it's free to visit.
Flickr/Chesapeake Bay Program

Continue exploring outdoors in DC this winter on this bewitching winter hike.

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