Places to Paddle: Just Follow the Water Trail!
By Rich Batiuk, Treasurer & Paddling Leader
In the mid-Atlantic region, we are blessed with lots of places to paddle—thousands of miles of streams and rivers, many ponds, lakes and reservoirs, and over 10,000 miles of tidal Chesapeake Bay shoreline, not to mention all the coastal bays and the Atlantic Ocean. To help us navigate all these waters, we also have a growing number of water trails.
So, what is a water trail? According to Wikipedia, “water trails (also known as blueways) are marked routes on navigable waterway such as rivers, lakes, canals, and coastlines for recreational use. They allow access to waterways for non-motorized boats and sometimes motorized vessels, inner tubes, and other craft. Water trails not only require suitable access points and take-outs for exit but also provide places ashore to camp and picnic or other facilities for boaters.”
In Maryland, through partnerships with local governments, citizen associations, and nonprofit organizations, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is working to build a statewide network of water trails. To date, Maryland has over 750 miles of designated water trails and other projects are in development across the state. You can access an interactive map to view existing designated trails:
Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Maryland Public Access
or see go to Maryland Public Water Access web app at:
Currently, some the available water trails include: the Potomac, Monocacy and Youghiogheny in western Maryland; Point Lookout State Park Water Trails in St. Mary’s County; and the Patuxent and Anacostia rivers in central Maryland; and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore there are Chester River Water Trails, Choptank and Tuckahoe Water Trails, Kent Island Water Trails, Tilghman Island and Bay Hundred Water Trails, Corsica River Water Trails, Marshyhope Creek Water Trail, Eastern Neck Island Water Trail, Smith Island Water Trails, Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center Water Trails and Sassafras River Water Trail. In addition, there are county-based maps of water trails in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. With the exception of the Youghiogheny River, all these water trails have hard copy maps you can order on-line or downloadable electronic versions. And please note that the Potomac River trail covers not only Maryland, but also Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Within Delaware, there is the Delaware Nanticoke Water Trail. Eagles, osprey, marshes and cypress swamps. The Nanticoke offers all that and more along more than 60 miles from its headwaters in Delaware south to Tangier Sound in Dorchester County, Maryland. Much of the land along the river corridor is undeveloped and privately owned, but portions of private land are protected by non-profit organizations and state and local parks. As such, the river corridor is ideal for wildlife including migratory birds. Bass fishing, boating, kayaking, and canoeing are also popular. For information on the water trail in Delaware, including a list of public access points visit this site You can also visit PaddleTheNanticoke.com for helpful hints and ideas on trip planning on and near the river.
The District of Columbia shares a water trail with Prince George’s County, Maryland along the Anacostia River. Discover the natural abundance of the Anacostia River as it threads through the heart of Washington, DC. Watch birds on Kingman Island or dock at the National Arboretum and roam the forest. Paddle to Diamond Teague Park and catch a ball game or tie-up at Yards Park and explore new restaurants. The Anacostia River corridor has lots of options for outdoor fun and the Anacostia Water Trail can help you find them. The trail covers a nine-mile stretch of the Anacostia River, running from Bladensburg, Maryland, through Washington, DC, to its juncture with the Potomac River about two miles south of Capitol Hill. Along this trail, the character of the river varies remarkably. Upstream you’ll find forests, wetlands, and wildlife that seem amazingly removed from the city. Downstream are hubs of riverfront recreation, with community parks, restaurants, and sporting events. The Anacostia Water Trail offers a way to explore the river and its resources. Its public access sites, programming, and orientation information is helping both residents and visitors find new adventures on the Anacostia and discover other treasures that have been there all along.
Over in Virginia, there are water trails on the Rappahannock, Mattaponi, Pamunkey, and James rivers. The Chesapeake Conservancy, working with the National Park Service, is also actively developing and promoting water trails in Virginia and the other Bay watershed states. For example, the Upper James River Water Trail meanders through beautiful Botetourt County located just northeast of Roanoke, Virginia. The trail is organized into five segments, each offering a unique experience. Along the 45 miles of the Upper James River in Botetourt County, you can get up close and personal with the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains. You'll experience the unspoiled beauty of the river as you paddle through scenic valleys and past rolling farmland while keeping a watchful eye out for native wildlife. Some Class I & Class II rapids along your journey will make it a fun day for all members of the family by canoe, kayak or tube. And Virginia is part of the ultimate water trail—the John Smith Trail, parts of the Bay and tidal river waters in Virginia as well as Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia.
Up in Pennsylvania, water trails are described as “boat routes suitable for canoes, kayaks and small motorized watercraft. Like conventional trails, water trails are recreational corridors between specific locations. Water trails are comprised of access points, boat launches, day use sites, and -- in some cases -- overnight camping areas. Each water trail is unique, a reflection of Pennsylvania's diverse geology, ecology and communities.” Pennsylvania Water Trails embrace the "Leave No Trace" code of outdoor ethics that promotes the responsible use & enjoyment of the outdoors. Pennsylvania offers water trail guides which show "trail heads" (boat launch and take-out points) and provide background about the scenic, historic and geologic points of interest along the way. Throw in a little fishing, wildlife watching, and camping and you can see how water works wonders in Pennsylvania. For more information on Pennsylvania’s water trails go to:
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
for on-line access to 25 water trails across the state.
Out in West Virginia, there are a growing number of water trails to take advantage of. For example, the Cacapon River Water Trail offers 65 miles of wildlife and breathtaking vistas. From novice paddlers to experienced ones, there is a section of this river for everyone. Although, there is no public camping along the river, there are numerous public and private campgrounds located throughout the area. On the other side of the state, the Coal River Water Trail has 20 access points in 100 miles. There is a kiosk at each one that provides information about the river and the distance to the other kiosks. Go to:
West Virginia Tourism - Featured Flatwater Destinations
for more information on where to paddle in West Virginia.
