Nutter’s Neck

Duration: 1 hour
Distance: 1.5 miles
Address: Nutters Neck Road, Quantico, MD
Coordinates: 38.376186, -75.785607
Link to page: https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Documents/nanticokerivermap.pdf
Difficulty: Medium

Looking to take a perfect sunflower field selfie? Add Nutter’s Neck to your destination list. The area is remote with diverse terrain that makes it hard to walk in some areas due to high grasses (watch for ticks). The trail is an old dirt road, and there are no amenities. The parking area is a small dirt lot. It is, however, free to enter. The area is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

In 1993, conservation agencies and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources purchased 1,587 acres of the Nutter’s Neck tract. The land was purchased to conserve tidal river habitats and create an outdoor recreational area. A deed from April 16th, 1736 reads: “Matthew Nutter of Quantico Creek bought of John Huett Nutter for a certain amount of tobacco, certain land known as ‘Shile’s Choice’ and ‘Dorman’s Delight’ situated on the east side of the Chesapeake Bay, south side of the Nanticoke River between Creeks of Quantico and Manumco in a neck called Nutter’s Neck.”

Nutter’s Neck is a designated dove hunting area. So, you will want to be cautious of your surroundings during hunter season. In the off-season, you should be able to see plenty of doves throughout the area. Consider bringing a hat as there is very little to no shade in the area. Still, there are plenty of open fields, including the sunflower field that you can walk a loop around.

A very large field along the trail path.
The trail path is very open and looks incredible when the weather is clear.
The sunflower field with the loop path on the right.
Some high grasses along the trail.