Visit the Estuary
Visitor Information
Open to the public
Anita C. Leight Estuary Center
Leight Park
Open daily
Located on the shores of Otter Point Creek, the Estuary Center is open to the public year-round. Stroll through the Visitor Center’s hands-on exhibits to learn about Chesapeake Bay ecology and other fascinating facts about the local flora and fauna. Explore the Discovery Room, home to a 300-gallon freshwater turtle pond and other amazing critters. Meander the 2 miles of hiking trails through dappled upland forests of black gum and maple trees. Your child can play and explore in the Nature Discovery Area right off the Discovery Trail. No matter what you choose, just make sure to come see what the Estuary Center has to offer the whole family!
Hiking and Paddle Trails
Otter Point Creek Component consists of two land areas connected by water:
- Leight Park: 93 acres
- Bosely Conservancy: 350 acres
- Water: 261 acres
- Total: 704 acres
Trails are open to the public from dawn to dusk.
In our Reserve, please remember:
- No collecting of plants or animals
- No bikes, horses, roller blades or skateboards
- No metal detectors
- No hunting
- Dogs must be on leash to preserve research sites and ensure visitor safety. Owner is responsible for cleaning up after dog.
Nature Discovery Area
The Nature Discovery Area was developed in 2019 by CBNERR’s Chesapeake Conservation Corps Intern Olivia Wisner as her capstone project.
We welcome it as a wonderful invitation to families to spend time together in the outdoors.
It is a beautiful outdoor setting where kids can exercise their imagination and their muscles. It provides a safe location to explore in a natural area that uses mostly natural materials to stimulate the imagination and creative play. There are stations for everyone – musical, performing arts, kitchen, and even a sunken canoe! Who knows what journey awaits!Â
The grounds are open to the public from dawn to dusk. Please remember to follow all Reserve rules.
Exhibit Hall & Live Animals
There are always things to see, touch, and learn about at the Center
Stroll through the Visitor Center’s hands-on exhibits to learn about Chesapeake Bay ecology and other fascinating facts about the local flora and fauna. As you wander along the exhibits, you will learn about the natural history of Otter Point Creek and its part in the Chesapeake Bay. Upon your first visit, you can complete a scavenger hunt throughout the exhibit hall to collect a prize!
Feel free to relax on the back deck while you flip through some field guides and explore our book collection. For an entire listing of all of the species found at Otter Point Creek, click here.
Off the exhibit hall sits the Discovery Room, with our amazing animals. Join us for a critter program to meet some of our animal ambassadors; you might even get to feed them! The Discovery Room can be viewed at any time that the center is open. Handling of the animals will only be done during one of our programs.
Would you like to get involved with the animals at the Center? Check out our volunteer page for current opportunities and information. There are many other ways to help too! You can make a donation or check out the items we need on our Amazon Wishlist.
