With the chilly fall weather now upon us, and all the fall activities in Maryland along with it, I’m sure there are many Marylanders like me who are looking for some isolated places to wander beneath the changing canopy of leaves. Of course, there is no shortage of beautiful places to go in Maryland to find foliage viewing spots, but if you’re looking for a place that’s more under-the-radar, look no further than the Woodend Nature Sanctuary. Located in Chevy Chase, this 40-acre plot of land is maintained by a 125-year-old non-profit organization, and the quiet parcel of trails and wildlife is perfect for that autumn weather recharge that all of us in Maryland need!
Woodend Sanctuary is focused around this historic Georgian mansion in Chevy Chase. The non-profit Nature Forward (formerly the Audubon Naturalist Society) has been based in this area for 125 years!
Nature Forward has dedicated the sanctuary to the entire community. They’re open year-round, from dawn till dusk, and they host a ton of events educating children and adults alike about the natural landscapes and plants of the DMV area.
All around Woodend Sanctuary, there are trails that will take you on a tour of the local wildlife. The larger loop is wheelchair accessible, and there are some others that climb through the woods on dirt and stone paths.
The trails will take you on your winding ways beneath the sun-dappled leaves, which had just started to fade to pale greens and yellows when I visited.
This boardwalk is known as the “pond classroom”, another outdoor teaching area. Both this and the amphitheater, in the off-hours, are also wonderful places to sit and just enjoy the cool breeze or the warmth of the sun.
Nature Forward has even put some beautiful and unique playground equipment in the sanctuary. Kids can climb up and slide down this bird or even build sandcastles all year long with the help of a well pump by the sandbox!
The mansion also houses a wonderful nature shop. Here you can find books with all sorts of information about local wildflowers and trees, unique coffee blends, or top-of-the-line binoculars…
