Description

Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary is located along an 18-square mile stretch of the Potomac River coast in Charles County. The sanctuary protects and interprets the remnants of more than 100 abandoned wooden vessels, and steamships that were part of the naval effort in World War I—known collectively as the “Ghost Fleet”.

Beyond the Ghost Fleet, the area’s culturally rich landscape includes connections to the Revolutionary and Civil wars,  the rich heritage of commercial fishing operations, and the three indigenous Piscataway tribal groups whose ancestors inhabited the Potomac shore more than 10,000 years ago. The sanctuary  has a collection of archaeological artifacts some nearly 12,000 years old.

Trail signs interpret the area’s history and ecology.

The site’s importance is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places . It is listed as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Additional Resources

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website about Mallows Bay: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/mallows-potomac/

National Register of Historic Places form:
https://apps.mht.maryland.gov/NR/NRDetail.aspx?NRID=1641

Charles County website for Mallows Bay Park:
https://www.charlescountymd.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/41/

Charles County website about the sanctuary with information for registering group tours:
https://www.charlescountyparks.com/parks/mallows-bay-national-marine-sanctuary