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Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary
Nat'l Recreation Area

Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary

United States

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We display cached information from agency feeds. Hours, fees, permits, closures, fire restrictions, and conditions change without notice. Outdoors is not the permitting authority. Confirm current conditions for this park using the links above before you go — you are responsible for compliance. Last verified by us: May 20, 2026. Spot an error in our data?

About

Imported description
Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary is home to a diverse collection of shipwrecks, as well as an array of wildlife inhabiting the surrounding area of Mallows Bay. Skeletons of over 100 wooden and steel-hulled steamships from the 1700s to the 1900s, called the Ghost Fleet, are protruding from the water line waiting to be explored. While enjoying the waters on a self-guided tour, wildlife such as osprey, largemouth bass, turtles, and beavers can be viewed both on the shore and on the water. From kayaking down this sanctuary or fishing in the river, visitors can learn about these waters that represent American heritage.

Source: recreation.gov

From Wikipedia

The Mallows Bay–Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary is a National Marine Sanctuary in the United States located in the Potomac River in Charles County, Maryland. It is best known for the "Ghost Fleet", 118 historic shipwrecks in Mallows Bay in the sanctuary's northeast corner which is the largest shipwreck fleet in the Western Hemisphere. They are among more than 200 shipwrecks in the sanctuary, some of which date as far back as the American Revolutionary War and others to the American Civil War.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify alerts and operational details with the managing agency below.

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Hunting in this park

Hunting is generally prohibited in this National Park Service unit

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