By Greg Holsey and Elizabeth Arias
An absolutely fabulous place to kayak, and at the top of our list, is the Pocomoke River located in Worcester and Somerset counties. This is perhaps Maryland’s most scenic river. The swamp cypress trees are not found anywhere else. You will imagine you are in the bayou in the deep South when you’re cruising along the banks. But, don’t worry, there are no gators, just an abundance of native wildlife and some of the most beautiful scenery you will ever see. There are several access points to launch your kayaks. There is also an upriver drop off service. Choosing this option allows you to take your sweet time cruising through the isolated forest and spadderdock fields.
Tied on first place on our list of favorite place is Janes Island State Park in Crisfield, Maryland. It offers great public facilities with easy kayak launching areas. The possibilities for exploration are countless. There are many marked water trails through the marsh as well as many unmarked trails for the more adventurous. You can kayak though the cuts and sloughs of Janes Island out to the banks of Tangier Sound. The scenery is second to none with an astounding variety of bird species that will surprise you, including Pelicans and American Oystercatchers. It is also not difficult to find a private beach for a swim or just to relax and have a picnic. If you are really adventurous, there are remote camping grounds accessible only by kayak. You can spend the night, catch your dinner, and view the starlit sky by the campfire. The early Spring or Fall are the best times to visit Janes Island because the insect population is at its lowest point. However, we definitely recommend bringing insect repellent along even though a good breeze will take care of them. There is plenty of fish, including croakers and rockfish, so bring your rod along. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has a great website with detailed information about Janes Island activities.
Another of our favorite places to kayak is the Choptank River. A great place to launch the kayaks is at the public landing in Greensboro, located off of MD 313 in Caroline County. We usually head upriver first where we can see the headwaters surrounded by beautiful woodlands. As the river narrows it is just you and your partner(s) surrounded by myriad wildlife. Bring your fishing rod along for largemouth bass abound.
Some other areas that we enjoy include the headwaters of the Chester River, where kayaks can be launched at the end of Shadding Reach Road in Kent County, and Fishing Bay Water Trail in Dorchester County, which offers excellent marked trails for those who are interested in the beauty and wildlife of the marsh in Dorchester County. A little research upfront will help you to decide what length of water trail you would like to try and where best to launch the kayaks at this national wildlife refuge. If you are looking for a place closer to home, there are many small public landings just a few minutes’ drive away. Our favorite launching area is Cabin Creek Landing in Grasonville, which puts you in Eastern Bay. From here you will be able to access numerous coves and creeks off of Eastern Bay where you will always see bald eagles, ospreys and terrapin turtles. There are also small, secluded beaches where you can land the kayaks and go for a swim or just hang out for lunch. And, of course, there is Queen’s Landing itself, where you can launch your kayak in the marina or Macum Creek. Kayaking along the shore toward the Kent Narrows Bridge is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon.
Some other areas that we enjoy include the headwaters of the Chester River, where kayaks can be launched at the end of Shadding Reach Road in Kent County, and Fishing Bay Water Trail in Dorchester County, which offers excellent marked trails for those who are interested in the beauty and wildlife of the marsh in Dorchester County. A little research upfront will help you to decide what length of water trail you would like to try and where best to launch the kayaks at this national wildlife refuge. If you are looking for a place closer to home, there are many small public landings just a few minutes’ drive away. Our favorite launching area is Cabin Creek Landing in Grasonville, which puts you in Eastern Bay. From here you will be able to access numerous coves and creeks off of Eastern Bay where you will always see bald eagles, ospreys and terrapin turtles. There are also small, secluded beaches where you can land the kayaks and go for a swim or just hang out for lunch. And, of course, there is Queen’s Landing itself, where you can launch your kayak in the marina or Macum Creek. Kayaking along the shore toward the Kent Narrows Bridge is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon.
In order to make your kayaking adventure the best it can be, preparation is key. We always bring a waterproof pouch to carry everything we want to bring with us, including insect repellent, sunscreen, towels, phones, wallets, etc. as well as a small cooler with drinks and food. If room allows, we also bring extra clothing. A pair of waterproof shoes is a good idea to have when kayaking in the Spring or Fall because most of the time you will need to step into the water to launch your kayak. It is important to plan a strategy with respect to the tide. The tidal flow in the rivers can be quite challenging. We often time our kayaking trips so that the first leg of the journey is against the tide and the return trip is with the tide. This makes the return trip easier and you often can just float downstream with little or no effort and just enjoy the view. For those just getting started, we recommend shopping around for the kayak that best suits your needs.
We suggest participating in promotional offers by kayak vendors that allow customers to tryout different types of kayaks before deciding which one to purchase. We personally like Survival Products in Salisbury, Maryland. They have an annual event of this type and possess good knowledge of kayaks and related accessories. Another great place is the Pocomoke River Canoe and Kayak in Snow Hill, Maryland. We highly recommend that you do not scrimp on the life jackets and paddles. These are important items and are worth a little extra. Another consideration is the size and weight of the kayak, which will affect your ability to get it in and out of the water. For example, we have 14 feet long kayaks which require a bit of effort to handle by one person but are relatively easy to move around between two persons. We found this size perfect for us because they are big enough to handle more open waters and a little extra gear if needed. Exploring the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries by kayak is one of the most rewarding experiences we have enjoyed together. The places to go are countless, the scenery is breathtaking, the wildlife incredible, and the exercise can’t hurt. Best of all, it is all at our doorstep or a short drive away. We hope to see you as we go kayaking along