Complete Guide To Kayaking In Southern Maryland: Launch Sites, Trails, And Parks

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — As summer winds down and crisp air returns, fall is one of the best times to explore Southern Maryland by kayak. With calmer waters, vibrant foliage, and fewer crowds, the region’s rivers, creeks, and bays provide some of the most scenic paddling in Maryland. Each of the tri-counties — St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles — maintains a network of public launch sites that connect residents and visitors to both history and nature.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers an interactive Public Water Access Guide, which maps every official boat ramp, soft launch, and transient facility statewide. Local counties also maintain their own paddling guides and maps, making it easier for residents to find the perfect drop point close to home.

• Great Mills Canoe & Kayak Launch – Easy access into Mill Creek.
• Camp Calvert Landing – Launch into the Patuxent River, good for day paddles.
• Paul Ellis Landing – Patuxent River access with fishing opportunities.
• Piney Point Landing – Potomac River launch near Piney Point Lighthouse & Museum.
• Snow Hill Park – Patuxent River site with scenic views, family-friendly.
• Myrtle Point Park – Large county park on the Patuxent with beach launches, wooded trails, and sweeping water views.
• Greenwell State Park / Sotterly Plantation – Patuxent River access with historic grounds, wooded trails, and shoreline paddling.
• Point Lookout State Park – Multiple access points at the Potomac–Chesapeake confluence.
• Newtowne Neck State Park – Seven miles of undeveloped shoreline on Breton Bay and Potomac.
• St. Mary’s City Waterfront – Public access on the St. Mary’s River near the historic colonial capital.
• Chaptico/Portobello Landing – Western county access into the Wicomico River.
• St. George Island – Local launch into St. George Creek.

• Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum – Patuxent River access with archaeological context; part of the Patuxent Water Trail.
• Kings Landing Park – Patuxent launch with beach, trails, and fishing pier.
• Hallowing Point Boat Ramp – Major Patuxent River ramp near Prince Frederick.
• Flag Ponds Nature Park – Access to beach and Chesapeake shoreline.
• Nan’s Cove – Small launch along the Patuxent near Benedict.
• Lower Marlboro Wharf – Historic riverside landing on the Patuxent.
• Solomons Island Public Ramp – Busy but convenient Patuxent/Chesapeake access.

• Mallows Bay Park – Direct access to the Mallows Bay–Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary, site of the “Ghost Fleet.”
• Friendship Farm Park – Potomac River launch with open access.
• Gilbert Run Park – Lake paddling, calm and family-friendly.
• Hatton Creek Launch – Smaller soft launch along the Potomac.
• Marshall Hall Ramp – Potomac River ramp near Piscataway Creek.
• Smallwood State Park – Popular ramp into Mattawoman Creek.
• Friendship Landing Park – Potomac launch with rural feel.

• St. Mary’s County Water Trails – Trails such as Heron Alley, Greens Point, and Lighthouse Trail highlight wildlife viewing and historic shoreline access. Download the guide here.
• Patuxent Water Trail – A regional route covering more than 100 miles of the Patuxent River, connecting sites from Solomons Island north through Calvert, St. Mary’s, and into Prince George’s County. Launch sites include Myrtle Point Park, Greenwell State Park/Sotterly Plantation, and Jefferson Patterson Park. Explore the official trail map.

These trails help paddlers plan trips ranging from short family outings to multi-day adventures.

Before You Go: Safety, Rentals, and Events

• Safety First: Always wear a life jacket, check tides and currents, and remember that water temperatures cool quickly in fall. Review Maryland boating regulations.
• Rentals & Guided Tours: Atlantic Kayak Company offers Mallows Bay trips, and outfitters in Solomons and Leonardtown rent kayaks and paddleboards.
• Best for Beginners & Families: Gilbert Run Park (Charles), Kings Landing Park (Calvert), and Myrtle Point Park (St. Mary’s) all provide easy water entry, calm conditions, and facilities that make them ideal for new paddlers.
• Fall Events: Charles County Recreation & Parks is hosting guided Mallows Bay tours through October; St. Mary’s County runs fall water trail programs at its parks.

“Fall is the best time to paddle,” said a local guide in Nanjemoy. “No heat, no bugs — just glassy water and the sound of ospreys overhead.”

Whether it’s exploring ghost ships, crabbing from a Patuxent marsh, or fossil hunting below the Calvert Cliffs, Southern Maryland’s network of launch sites, trails, and parks makes kayaking one of the region’s most rewarding fall adventures.

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