Belt Woods Natural Environment Area

DNR has good information on this public land if one searches for "DNR Belt Woods." There are also lots of other websites with information.

Right now, accessing the old growth woods is challenging and of debatable legality. I did as William Hoker did and accessed from the Church Road City of Bowie Park. Getting to the old growth from there involves a lot of bushwacking, as there are various areas with very dense younger woods that have grown over old fields. Once one gets to the south woods (closest to the southeast corner near 214 and Church Road), you get to see a forest of a type that does not exist anywhere else within a 30+ mile radius of downtown DC. Poplar and white oak trees are massive and there are numerous other species like hickory and black oak.

Hopefully one day DNR will build a small trail through this area so that more people can see what happens when Maryland soil is mostly left alone for 150 years. The ecological value of this area is stunning, and what is more stunning is how close it is to senseless massive development (e.g. six flags and the megachurch across the road). Despite the change to the landscape around it over the past 50 years, these trees have endured.

Extremely nice view the forest was beautiful the streams were flowing

Accessed from the football field across Church road. I wandered about 2 miles clockwise pretty solid wood no trails. Ran into boundary markers on perimeter of votech school, signs and yellow rings on trees. Worth a return.

Outstanding old-field white oaks and tuliptrees, as well as other oaks

DNR permission is required to visit this site. A large patch of woods in various stages of succession, including a small percentage of old growth with some 250-300 year old trees. No facilities.