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Top 15 Best Places

To Go Kayaking In Maryland, USA

Best Options and Reviews

Published May 14, 2022

Are you looking for the best places to go kayak in Maryland, USA? Or, if you are planning a weekend trip with your loved ones or want to spend some quality time with your family or friends, then there’s no better way than going on a kayaking trip in Maryland.

Being an experienced kayaker, I have visited hundreds of the best kayaking places all over the USA, but my favorite place to kayak lies in Maryland.

So, here is a list of the top 15 best places to go kayaking in Maryland, USA.

Best Places to Kayak in Maryland, USA: Summary

Best Places to Go Kayaking in Maryland

Maryland is one of the most beautiful states in the United States, with a lot of hidden treasures that you can explore by kayak. It has numerous rivers, lakes, and coastal areas where you can enjoy your time on the water.

Following are some of the best places to go kayaking in Maryland that you should surely visit this summer.

Eden Mill Park

Eden Mill Park-min in maryland usa

Eden Mill Park is a great place to go kayaking in Maryland. The park is located in Pylesville, which is only about a few minutes away from Baltimore. This park has many different activities for people of all ages. There are trails for hiking and biking, playground equipment for children, picnic areas with grills, tennis courts, and even an 18-hole disc golf course!

You can take your boat out on the River where it meets Little Patuxent River near the dam. Or you can go down to the water area where there are also picnic areas and playground equipment for kids. It’s also possible to rent kayaks or paddleboards here as well.

Rocky Point State Park

Rocky Point State Park

Rocky Point State Park is my second favorite and one of the best places for kayaking in Maryland.

It’s located near the Chesapeake Bay and is surrounded by wetlands, marshes, and woodlands. It’s also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including birds such as owls and hawks that can be seen from the water. The park is open year-round, so you can enjoy kayaking at Rocky Point anytime.

Rocky Point State Park offers guided tours from April through October. They also offer rentals for those who want to go out independently. Rocky Point State Park should definitely be on your list of possibilities if you’re looking for a place to spend some time while kayaking.

Tuckahoe State Park

It’s located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and features a wide variety of activities, including camping, hiking, biking, and paddling. There are several different places to launch from Tuckahoe State Park, including the boat ramp at Tuckahoe Creek Lake. The park also offers rentals for canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.

There are also two lakes within the park that offer visitors plenty of opportunities for fishing or boating on their own boats (or renting one from the park). Visitors can enjoy bird watching as well as wildlife viewing, with deer often seen roaming around the woods.

Gunpowder Falls State Park

Gunpowder Falls State Park a great place to go kayaking in maryland

Gunpowder Falls State Park is another good place to go kayaking in Maryland. It’s located in northeastern Baltimore, so it’s easy to get to by car. The water is very clean and clear, and there are many opportunities for wildlife viewing. The park also has several picnic areas, making it a great place to bring your family or friends on a sunny day.

If you’re looking for something new and exciting this summer, Gunpowder Falls State Park should definitely be on your list of places to go kayaking in Maryland!

Janes Island State Park

Janes Island State Park Maryland

This is the place to go if you are looking for some peace. The island is surrounded by water, and there are several bird sanctuaries located here as well. You’ll also find plenty of wildlife on this island, including deer, foxes, and even black bears.

Located near Crisfield in Somerset County, this Janes Island State Park has 30 miles of shoreline with a variety of wildlife and beautiful views. It is located on the Chesapeake Bay, so you can enjoy some great water sports.

Transquaking River

Transquaking River-min

The Transquaking River is another best place to go kayaking and water sports. The river is home to many fish and wildlife species, including deer, wild turkey, and bald eagles.

This river has a number of rapids that are fun to play around in, and it’s also possible to go out on the water for hours and not see anyone else.

You can rent a boat or kayak here and head out to the Chesapeake Bay! The bay is one of the largest estuaries on earth, so it’s also a great place for kayaking if you are looking for something different than just a quick trip down a river.

Pocomoke River Trail

The Pocomoke River Trail is a great place to go kayaking in Maryland. The trail runs along the Pocomoke River and gives you access to some of the best scenery in Maryland. This trail starts and ends in Worcester City. It is about 40+ miles long and is a great way to enjoy nature.

The Pocomoke River Trail can be accessed from many different locations along its route, so you can start at any point along the way. The trail itself follows an old railroad bed that was used decades ago by local farmers who were transporting crops from their farms to market.

Dundee Creek

Dundee Creek-min in maryland

Dundee Creek is a great place to paddle, and there are many different waterfalls you can see along the way.

You will have plenty of time to enjoy the views while paddling down Dundee Creek because it’s only a few miles long. The creek itself is fairly wide but shallow in some places due to erosion from rocks or trees along the banks.

The best times to go kayaking in Maryland are spring through fall (March through October). You should avoid going during the winter months because they tend to be cold and rainy, which can make conditions dangerous on open water.

Skipton Creek

Skipton Creek -min

Skipton Creek is a popular kayaking destination in Maryland. It’s a great place to go on a relaxing paddle or an adventure, as there are many different kinds of terrain you can explore.

The best time to go kayaking at Skipton Creek is during the spring and fall months when there are fewer people around. If you’re looking for a place with some history behind it, this location will not disappoint! There are many historic structures along the creek’s banks, such as mills and bridges, that date back centuries ago.

It is also home to several species of fish, such as smallmouth bass, rock bass, bluegill sunfish, and brown bullhead catfish, among others. So, you can have a perfect view of wildlife while you are kayaking through the waters.

Loch Raven Reservoir

Loch Raven Reservoir-min

Another best place to go kayaking in Maryland is Lock Raven Reservoir. This place is something more scheduled than some of the other locations on this list.

The reservoir is located in the city of Baltimore and is fed by the Loch Raven.

There are several places around the reservoir where you can launch your kayak, including at Woodberry Forest Boat Ramp on Woodberry Road, from which you can paddle out into Loch Raven Reservoir.

This location provides many different opportunities for kayakers, including fishing and bird watching. You can also see many different species of fish, including smallmouth bass, carp, white perch, yellow perch, catfish, and largemouth bass.

This lake gets very crowded during the fishing season, but it’s still worth checking out if you’re interested in seeing some wildlife.

Conowingo Pond

Conowingo Pond -min

Conowingo Pond is a shallow, marshy body of water that’s known for its abundant wildlife. The pond is located near Conowingo town and is surrounded by forest and farmland. Kayaking on Conowingo Pond offers a unique experience for paddlers who want to explore the area’s natural beauty.

The pond is formed by a dam that has been constructed on the river to hold back water so that it can be used for hydroelectric power generation.

You can paddle alongside herons, egrets, and other water birds as you enjoy the tranquility of this popular location.

No doubt, it’s a great place to kayak if you want to explore the area’s natural beauty and see some other wildlife in the area. This pond is also a popular spot for fishing, so you may be able to catch some fish while you’re there.

Craighill Light Channel

Craighill Light Channel -min

Craighill Light Channel is another best place to go kayaking in Maryland. It has a lot of waves and is great for surfing. The channel starts at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and ends at a certain point.

There are two popular routes: one that goes north and one that goes south. It can be a little tricky to find your way there, but once you do, it’s easy to enjoy a day on the water.

The channel connects the Chesapeake Bay with the Atlantic Ocean, so it’s a great place to see wildlife, and you’ll often spot dolphins swimming alongside you.

Many people also enjoy fishing in the channel, so if you’re interested in catching some fresh seafood, this is an excellent location to visit.

Assateague National Seashore

Assateague National Seashore-min

If you are looking for a place to kayak in Maryland that’s out of the ordinary, Assateague Island is just the place for you. This barrier island is home to wild ponies, which roam freely on the island and were originally brought here by a lighthouse keeper in the 18th century.

This place is perfect for those who love nature and want to enjoy it without leaving their kayaks behind. The seashore offers visitors miles of beautiful beaches and areas where they can explore and relax.

The best time to kayak here is in late spring or early summer when there are fewer people around, and the weather is warmer. You can see some of the ponies on the beach if they don’t run away from you first.

Lake Centennial

Lake Centennial Maryland

Lake Centennial is a popular destination in Maryland. It is an artificial lake created by damming the River. The lake has become a favorite spot for recreational boating and fishing. Several boat launches around the lake provide access to the water.

It is located near Clarksville and Columbia in Howard County, Maryland. The lake is surrounded by wetlands, forests, meadows, and open fields that provide wildlife viewing and bird watching opportunities.

It also has an average depth of 10.2 feet, which makes it a great place for kayaking because you can see everything under the surface of the water.

The best time to go kayaking at Lake Centennial is during the summer months when temperatures are warmer, and there is less chance of rain.

Thorne Gut Marsh

Thorne Gut Marsh-min

Last but not least, Thorne Gut Marsh is a beautiful place to go kayaking in Maryland. This marsh, located on the upper reaches of the Potomac River, is home to many species of wildlife, including birds and fish.

It’s located right in Carroll County and offers some great paddling opportunities.

This place has plenty of marshes and wetlands to explore, as well as open water and salt marshes. This means that you will have plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography while you are on your paddle trip.Last but not least, Thorne Gut Marsh is a beautiful place to go kayaking in Maryland. This marsh, located on the upper reaches of the Potomac River, is home to many species of wildlife, including birds and fish.

It’s located right in Carroll County and offers some great paddling opportunities.

This place has plenty of marshes and wetlands to explore, as well as open water and salt marshes. This means that you will have plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography while you are on your paddle trip.

Conclusion

I have recommended the 15 best places to go kayaking in Maryland. Also, gave you all the information that is needed for your comfortable holiday and rest. If you are planning your holidays for this summer and don’t know what you should kayak, then I think that you should surely visit the places mentioned above.

Jay Schwartz author of Kayak Guidance

About the Author - Jay Schwartz:

Hey there kayak lovers! I’m Jay Schwartz, the author here at Kayak Guidance! You know water sports – you know me! My life is all about it. Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Fishing, Snorkeling and so much more. I love to share my passion and knowledge with all of you. 

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