The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries provide paddlers of all skill levels with flat-water excursions, white-water thrills, and historical and cultural adventures along intricate waterways. Commercial guides and outfitters are ready to provide assistance, with many vendors able to custom-design your trip.

Western Maryland

A 185-mile stretch of the Potomac River from Cumberland to Washington, D.C., offers a wide variety of paddling opportunities. Inquire about guided canoe rides and take advantage of paddle-in campsites at Green Ridge State Forest.

- The Youghiogheny River cuts through some of Maryland’s most rugged mountain scenery. Check with local guides about half-day or full-day white-water rafting trips. Just be prepared for many tight, technical passages and frequent drops of more than 100 feet per mile.

- Though calmer float trips are readily available, the Upper North Branch of the Potomac River has developed its own white-water reputation. Dramatic canyons are a large part of its appeal.

- The Savage River Reservoir promises hours of peaceful flatwater paddling (and fishing) amid unspoiled mountain scenery. Fuel-powered engines are off-limits. Boat rentals and guide services are available from New Germany State Park and local outfitters.

- A 2.5-mile Deep Creek Lake canoe trail begins at a launch area beside the Discovery Center and passes through secluded marshland and a mature upland forest.

- Float into the past on Antietam Creek. Let a local outfitter set you up with canoes (and a shuttle service) so that you can drift right under Burnside Bridge, the scene of intense Civil War fighting. Then camp on the C&O Canal at the mouth of the creek.

Capital Region

- The Monocacy River Canoe Trail offers more than 50 miles of easy paddling beside rolling farmland, Native American fish weirs and the Monocacy National Battlefield. The easiest access point is the Monocacy Aqueduct.

Central Maryland

- The mighty Susquehanna River – one mile wide in some points, and pouring more than one billion gallons of freshwater into the Chesapeake Bay every day – is an incredible kayaking destination. Begin at Susquehanna State Park, and then, after maneuvering around rocks, picnicking on Wood Island, and being swept along swift-moving flatwater, you’ll find yourself at the head of the bay in Havre de Grace.

- Below Prettyboy Reservoir on the Gunpowder Falls River is a narrow wooded gorge with one section of boulder gardens, broken ledges, and tight chutes for experienced white-water paddlers. The river downstream is more popular with novices, offering several hours of paddling and tubing enjoyment.

- The Hammerman Area of Gunpowder Falls State Park delivers convenient and relaxing canoe and kayak excursions around narrow coves. Equipment rentals are right on-site.

Southern Maryland

- As it winds south of D.C., the Potomac River Water Trail System consists of six peaceful-to-challenging routes that total 100 miles and take kayakers right on through to the Chesapeake Bay. You can put in at Nanjemoy Creek, Swan Point, St. Clement’s Bay, or other locales. One trail map recommends a stop at Point Lookout State Park, which offers one-hour, two-hour and all-day flat-water canoeing excursions. More than seven miles of water trails, some of which are protected from wind and current, surround a 1,046-acre peninsula.

- The 110-mile Patuxent River is the longest river entirely within Maryland’s borders. Paddlers can follow the Lower Patuxent Trail past beautiful natural expanses and near many African-American heritage sites. Canoe rentals are available at Patuxent River Park, and paddle-in campsites are located on state park land.

Eastern Shore

- Ten unmarked routes around Tilghman Island have become popular for paddling and seasonal wildlife viewing. Boat rentals and guide services are available at outfitters on the island.

- The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge offers more than 15 miles of marked trails that allow for an up-close exploration of tidal marshes and brackish ponds. Local outfitters provide boat rentals and guide services.

- Some call it “ Maryland’s Everglades.” The vast tidal wetlands of the Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area offer paddlers miles of creeks, salt marshes, secluded ponds, and islands of loblolly pines.

- Explore more than 30 miles of unspoiled shoreline along the Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area. Short hiking trails accessible from the water offer a chance to stretch your legs.

- Regarded as “ Maryland’s version of the Caribbean,” Janes Island State Park offers canoe and kayak rentals so you can explore small waterways within this tidal marsh island. Some of the park’s six marked trails lead to secluded beaches facing the unbroken blue horizon of Tangier Sound. Summer brings moonlight paddling led by experienced guides, but spring and autumn offer the best birding opportunities. For high adventure, try one of the park’s backcountry camping platforms.

- Utilize a local outfitter in Snow Hill or rent a boat at Pocomoke River State Park and then let river currents sweep you gently through one of the nation’s northernmost stands of bald cypress. Be sure to pick up the Corker’s Creek Canoe Trail Guide at the park. Local folklore holds that this area was a major conduit of the Underground Railroad.

- Sinepuxent Bay Water Trails, off Assateague Island, offer the only ocean kayaking in Maryland. Choose from the Bayside Loop or Old Ferry Landing Loop. Avoid the summertime crowds (and insects) by visiting in the spring and autumn, while also taking advantage of paddle-in camping opportunities.

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network

The Potomac River Water Trail System is one among several paddlesport-friendly areas in the state that are part of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. Explore these gateways to experience the history and beauty of the bay. For more information, visit www.baygateways.net. A free map and guide to the Gateways network is available by calling 1-866-BAY-WAYS (1-866-229-9297).

Find water trail information, maps and guides online at www.dnr.maryland.gov/outdoors/boating.html, or call a Regional Service Center. (In Annapolis, 410-260-3220 or 1-866-344-8889 toll-free in Maryland.)

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