Mt. Nebo Wildlife Management Area

Mt. Nebo Wildlife Management Area

499 Mt. Nebo Road, Oakland, MD 21550
(301) 334-4255

The Mt. Nebo Wildlife Management Area is a 1,863-acre tract consisting of an extensive wetland complex with man-made and beaver ponds, thick alder and wetland shrub cover, and isolated pockets of red spruce and hemlock. Approximately 90% of the WMA is dominated by mixed hardwood forest in various age classes. A large section of the WMA has been designated the Aelred Geis Memorial Woodcock Habitat Demonstration Area, which includes old farm fields, wetlands grown up with alders, and forest with a variety of tree types and ages. This area is being actively managed for species like American Woodcock and Alder Flycatcher.

Mt. Nebo Road bisects the WMA between Garrett Hwy/US Route 219 and Oakland-Sang Run Road and is gated at both ends, preventing travel by vehicle. Foot travel is welcome on the 1.02 miles of gravel road between the gates. About 0.30 miles from the parking lot on the east end of Mt. Nebo Road, a road intersects to the south that leads 0.83 miles to the southernmost pond.  The Woodcock Demonstration Area is located about 0.54 miles from the east end parking lot. A short trail leading south to a view of the northernmost pond is located about 0.8 miles from the east end parking lot.

Birdlife:

eBird reports for Mt. Nebo WMA include over 180 species.  Mt. Nebo is especially known for its population of breeding birds, including Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Ruffed Grouse, both Yellow & Black-billed Cuckoos, American Woodcock, both Alder and Willow Flycatchers, Blue-headed Vireo, Brown Creeper, Veery, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Swamp Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, and Black-throated Green Warblers.  Small numbers of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers can be found in the summer, but breeding has not been confirmed.

Parking:

The most widely used parking is on the east end of Mt. Nebo Road, about 0.25 miles off US Route 219. Parking is also available on the west end of Mt. Nebo Road, about 0.75 miles off Oakland-Sang Run Road. See trail map at the link at left for additional parking areas.

Special Features:

Mt. Nebo WMA protects two red spruce bogs, one of the most unique wetlands in Maryland. More than 18,000 years old, these are among the oldest peat bogs in eastern North America, complete with wild cranberries and a host of rare and endangered plants. ◾ Mt. Nebo WMA is included in the Youghiogheny Valley Important Bird Area (IBA), as designated by the National Audubon Society. See http://netapp.audubon.org/iba/site/4095 for more information on the IBA. ◾ The local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society is the Allegany & Garrett Counties Bird Club, which hosts field trips in the region and meetings with informative presentations, all free and open to the public.

Directions:

To reach the parking lot at the east end of Mt. Nebo Road, take Garrett Hwy/US Route 219 south from Deep Creek Lake toward Oakland. The east end of Mt. Nebo Road is located along the west side of US Route 219, approximately 3 miles north of Oakland. Mt. Nebo WMA is across the highway from the DNR Mount Nebo Work Center located at 1728 Kings Run Road; Oakland, MD 21550. Turn west onto Mt. Nebo Road and drive approximately 0.25 miles to the parking area.

Nearby Sites:

Loch Lynn Heights Wetland Trail, Broadford Lake, Herrington Manor State Park, Swallow Falls State Park.

Habitats:

Bottomland DeciduousConifersHedgerowsUpland Deciduous Hay Meadows, Pasture, Grass FieldOld Fields, Shrubby Meadows Forested SwampFreshwater Marsh or FloodplainFreshwater Pond, Lake, or ReservoirRivers & Streams

Features:

Bicycle Trails (Bikes may be prohibited on some trails)Free - No Entry Fee at Any TimeHabitat Restoration ProjectHiking/Walking TrailsHuntingNative Plant Garden or Meadow/Pollinator PlantsParkingPets AllowedWater View

Type:

Audubon Important Bird AreasHunting Areas