The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Selinger Marsh © Gabe Cahalan

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

This Maryland preserve has some of the most amazing, must-see plants and animals. View All

Plan Your Visit

Make sure you're prepared for any kind of weather. View All

Get Directions

Why You Should Visit
Selinger Marsh lies in the rain shadow of the Appalachian Mountains — this area receives the least rainfall in Maryland.  Springs on the surrounding slopes, however, provide the water for the Marsh, making it an unusual wetland in a otherwise very dry region.  Selinger Marsh is open year round to the public for birdwatching and nature walks.  Admission is free.

Location
Three hour drive from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., near Flintstone

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
Selinger Marsh is a rare wetland in this dry region of the state; its importance as a breeding ground for amphibians makes the site a priority in order to maintain viable populations of these species in this part of Maryland.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing Here
Protected by The Nature Conservancy since 1985, Selinger Marsh's 85 acres continue to be areas for research and monitoring, and the Conservancy acts as a steward to ensure that the site maintains its ecological viability.

Things To Do

What to See: Plants

• State-rare fringe-tipped gentian.
• Arrowhead, monkey-flower, cardinal flower, New England aster, great blue lobelia, water plantain, blue flag, silky dogwood, alder, and elderberry.

What to See: Animals

• Selinger Marsh is an important haven in this otherwise dry region for several amphibians, including the upland chorus frog and the Jefferson salamander.

Plan Your Visit

Get the Most from Your Visit

• Bring plenty of drinking water, sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses), rain gear, and bug protection. Binoculars, field guides, and a camera may be useful.
• Pets are not allowed on Conservancy preserves or field trips. 
• Smoking is not permitted. 
• Please do not remove any plants, animals, or rocks.
• Wear socks and closed-toe footwear. Wearing light colors will help you spot and remove ticks.
• There are no trails, other than deer trails, so a compass may help you keep your bearings.
• Please help us maintain this unique natural environment by taking home everything that you bring, including biodegradable materials.
• For more information, please contact the Maryland/DC Chapter office at 301-897-8570 or pmarson@tnc.org.
• Tick and Mosquito Alert: When you get home, plan to drop your clothing directly in the laundry and do a tick check before you shower. Deer ticks, the type that carry lyme disease, are about the size of a pinhead and tend to attach in hair, under ears, underarms, trunk of the body, groin, and backs of the knees. Remove them by gently pulling with tweezers and wipe the skin near the bite with a mild disinfectant. If, within 7-10 days after exposure, you experience a rash (especially an expanding "bull's eye" rash), chills, fever, headache, stiff neck, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and/or aching joints and muscles, contact your doctor. You can find more information on lyme disease at www.lyme.org or www.aldf.com, or by calling the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at (404) 332-4555.

Directions

• From Washington's Capital Beltway (I-495), take I-270 North.  Take I-70 West: 
• From Baltimore (I-695), take I-70 West:
• Near Hancock, take I-68 West.  Take the Flintstone exit.   From the center of Flintstone continue about .5 mile east to intersection at Town Creek Road.  Turn right across metal bridge onto Town Creek Road.  In about 1.5 miles bear left (stay on pavement) and cross a second metal bridge.  The preserve is 2 miles on the right.  There is no parking available, so please park carefully on the roadside.

Discussion

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Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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