1. Baltimore Inner Harbor - Put in at public ramp at 3101 Boston St. in downtown Baltimore - free - Photo gallery with full screen slideshow Fantastic urban trip, but keep dry, because the water is dirty. The water here can get pretty choppy on windy days, but is fairly well protected as you move toward the city center. Watch for the many water taxis, large boats and even cargo ships and you will have a great trip with facinating things to see. The Constellation, the Torsk and the Taney are moored there and available for tours aboard. Take out and eat lunch in one of the many outdoor eateries and shop at one of hunderds of stores.
2. Annapolis - Navy Academy - Ramp with small fee (Bring a VISA or Mastercard - NO cash accepted in the vending machine) or put in for free on the sand beach next to the ramps. Put in Spa Creek in Truxton Park on Park Rd. There is a ramp with dock and beach area for launching - GREAT trip Photo gallery with full screen slideshow and videos at the bottom of the page.. a lot of power boats and sail boats so mind your traffic rules and keep your eyes peeled - The water around the Navy Academy can get a little rough for beginning kayakers and those with less stable boats. Use of a skirt may be desirable. Expert kayakers will have no problem in these water conditions. There is plenty of protected water for those who can't brave the choppy conditions. Go to downtown and tie off for lunch or explore the quiet estuaries along Spa Creek.
3. Fort Frederick on the Potomac - Photo gallery with full screen slideshow - free - put in at the national park ramp on McCoy Ferry Road just a couple of miles past the entrance to Fort Frederick State Park. Watch close for the road and take the Y to the right on the dirt road through the tunnel. To right, after you leave the ramp, is up river and the current can get strong and the water shallow. If you are in a long boat you may find spots you have to get out and push the boat, but this is a BEAUTIFUL river and the water is crystal clear. The scenery is amazing and there are golden eagles in the area. Downriver is deeper water but can be crowded with power boats after 10:30 am on nice weekend days. Fort Frederick is up river about two miles and there are places to beach and walk to the fort. (Bring a lock for your kayak.) Check the fort site for re-enactment schedules and time your trip to coincide with one of them. You may want to explore a one way downriver trip with a put in at one of many boat ramps upriver of Fort Frederick (Such as Terry St. in Hancock) and a take out down river at Starliper Rd (off of Four Locks Rd.) Beware of the dam. Study Mapquest or Google maps satellite views.
4. Elk Neck Park - Photo gallery with full screen slideshow - Put in at the boat ramp...follow the signs inside the park. Cost $11. Go to the right (south) after leaving the ramp to head toward the point and see the lighthouse peaking over the cliffs. You may have to paddle out from the shore about 100 yards to see it. The water here can be very choppy and very large wakes from MANY power boats, some large ones, can cause problems for beginning kayakers or those with less stable boats. We recommend you have experience in big water before taking the trip around the point. This is a good trip in spite of the possibility of rough water conditions, but go with caution. Use of a skirt may be desirable. Expert kayakers will have no problem in these water conditions. After a trip in the kayak, drive as far south on the park road as possible, until it ends, and park there to take the short hike to the lighthouse.
5. Wye Island Regatta - Annapolis Rowing Club - 2009 - Photo gallery with full screen slideshow12.5 mile race around Wye Island - Ramp and rooftop launch from dock on Wye Landing Ln. in Wye Mills, MD - Kayak, Rowing Shells, canoes and other miscellaneous boats race around the island - fun but long race. This is also a good place for a kayak trip for exploring the scenic area around Wye Island. There is a possibility of high winds and choppy water on the west end of the island but should be navigable by paddlers with intermediate skills. There is a lot of fishing and crabbing in the area so beware of power boats that may not be looking for small boats.
6. Point Lookout - Photo gallery with full screen slideshow - We put in behind the camp store at the rental boat launching beach. It is a small sandy area next to the docks. The docks may also be a suitable launching area as well. Park in the camp store parking lot. The charge to enter the park is $12. The wildlife viewing is spectacular inside the cove. There are Osprey's galore and a Bald Eagles. You can watch Kites and Kingfisher dive in the water all around you. If you are lucky you will see an Osprey carrying a fish it caught as it flies off to find a roost. The cove is on the right as you leave the launch area, and the Cheasepeake Bay is on the left. The bay water can be very choppy with large waves and wakes from large vessels passing by. The cove is very protected and almost always suitable for kayaking. The water is very shallow over most of the area. This is a recommended trip and works well in combination with a visit to St. Clements Island.
7. St. Clements Island - Photo gallery with full screen slideshow - We put in at Coltons Point Marina for a very small fee. Follow your GPS to Colton's Point Marina. (Also see www.Chottoman.com) The guys there know kayaking and can provide some water condition info and directions to the island which is around Colton's Point about 2 miles from the boat ramp. Take a picnic lunch and land on the beach near the lighthouse on the bay side of the island. There are picnic tables and nicely groomed grass areas where you can find a nice place to rest and eat. This is a grade A day trip!!
8. Assateague Island - Photo gallery with full screen slideshow - or photo album. We launched just inside the park on Bayside Dr. ($15 entry fee to the park) There is a beach area which works well for kayak launching. The water is very shallow over most of the Sinepuxent Bay so you will have to paddle at a low angle. Wildlife is abundant and includes wild horses that inhabit the island. This is a first class trip and highly recommended. The Atlantic Ocean is on the opposite side as the bay and is nearly pristine compared to most tourist beaches. There is camping in the park and superb asphalt bike paths including a bridge over the bay to Berlin, MD. Bring your bike!
9. Washingto DC - Photo gallery with full screen slideshow- We put in at Jack's Boathouse - get there early, since parking is limited. Good area for kayaks and canoes. There are rowers practicing so keep an eye out for them and try not to get in the way. Bring your bike and ride the miles of bike trails in the area while you're there.
10. Washington DC - Gravelly Point (go north) - 6 am to 10 pm - 2 ramps and a 24" high dock (pics in the Washington DC photo album) - Right next to Reagan National Airport on George Washinton Memorial Parkway and across the street from the Wildlife Refuge. Free parking - get there early. Watch for big boats with large wakes until you get to the no wake zone just past the Lincoln Monument toward Roosevelt Island. (Turn left toward downtown DC after leaving the dock inlet..away from the airport)
11. Washington DC - Gravelly Point (go south) Alexandria and The National Harbor see the photo album here with full screen slideshow- public ramps ..see above - Turn right after leaving the launch inlet and go around the airport. Alexandria, VA is on the right a couple of miles south. It has beautiful harbor area and there is a ramp to take out and stop off for breakfast. Continue on south past the Woodrow Wilson drawbridge and the National Harbor is on the Maryland bank of the river. Cross the river carefully and watch for the water taxi and other power boat traffic. Contact the harbor master from the gas station on the dock and request to take out and set your boats somewhere out of the way so you can see the sites. Have lunch at one of many nice resturaunts. (This can be a long trip for some and the water can get pretty choppy, especially under the drawbridge sections on the VA side.)
12. Washington DC - North Potomac - Put in at Gravelly Point (See above) for a long trip or at Jack's Boathouse for a shorter trip. Photo gallery with full screen slideshow Go North the river to leave everthing about the city behind but the sound of aircraft overhead. Beautiful section of river north of Jack's Boathouse. There can be strong currents after the river narrows about 3 miles north of Jack's so test the water as you go to make sure you can go both directions, with and against the current, before you go too far.
13. Anacostia River - Washington DC - Put in at Gravelly point - see above - Go right on the river when leaving the ramp, toward the airport, and cross the river. Watch close for an opening on the other side. Washington Harbor is on the left just inside the mouth of the Anacostia. This is an industrial area with barges and small freighters on both shores. There is a Navy museum and de-commisioned radar ship on the left bank. Photo gallery with full screen slideshow
14. Quiet Water County Park - Annapolis - Dock Launch and a small beach launch - Photo gallery with full screen slideshow - There is a paved trail about 1/4 mile from the parking lot. We pulled the kayaks on carts to the dock and launched at the tall section of dock. There are also two low docks. Off to the side is a beach area to launch as well. This is a very scenic area and the water is usually very calm and well protected. A great place to go when the weather is harsh every where else. There are rental kayaks availble as well as bikes to ride the plentiful paved bike trails.
16. Sherpdstown, WV - Potomac - Photo gallery Photo Album - 24 hr - free - parking limited - Boat ramp at the end of North Princess Street in Sherperdstown WV - The river was fast the day we went, but it is a nice river and suited for sea kayaks in the sections upriver of the boat ramp and for about 1 mile down river. It is whitewater territory after that.
17. Jane's Island Photo Album - photo gallery... - best viewed in slideshow Full Screen!!! - see the park link here...Jane's Island - 20" tall docks, a dry kayak slide launch and a ramp - beautiful scenery and wildlife. Can get windy. HIGHLY recommended for a camping/kayaking trip. Kayak to Crisfield and eat at one of the local resturaunts specializing in Maryland crab cakes and soft shell crab. Take a picnic to eat while sitting on the shore of Tangier Sound.
18. Savage River Reservoir - Photo gallery with full screen slideshow.Beautiful tree lined canyon with magnificent wildlife. Savage River Reservoir is a small, quiet lake perfect for first time kayakers. Check out http://allearthecotours.com/ for a guided tour if you are in western Maryland near Deep Creek Lake. (Say hello to Crede) There is a beach type launching area. It is at the corner of Dry Run and Savage River Road. Take Dry Run or Spring Lick off of 495. See the site here...Savage River Reservoir.
19. Youghiogheny River Reservoir - Photo gallery with full screen slideshow - The Youghiogheny Lake ("yock a hay knee") is a gorgeous tree lined canyon adventure with an abundance of wildlife. There are several places to put in along the lake which extends from northern Maryland to southern Pensylvania. The Flagship Team put in at Mill Run Recreation Center. There is a beach launching area. The park is down a narrow road which follows a scenic rocky stream. It is just north of Freindsville on the east side of the lake. From Hwy 42, turn right on Maple just past I-68 coming from the south, through Friendsville, left on 2nd which becomes Freindsville Addison Rd. Look for the park sign a few miles outside of town. See the park site here..Youghiogheny River Lake.
20. Deep Creek Lake - Photo gallery with full screen slideshow - A large man made lake high in the Apalachians. Gorgeous scenery throughought the area. The lake is suitable for kayaking in the early morning hours. There is a threat of high winds later in the day as well as many power boats. The entire lake is ringed with private docks and small power boats of every description. There are ramps with docks for power boats. There is a beach area specially for kayak launching, including kayak rental at the Deep Creek Lake Campground and Park. The Discovery Center also has some small boat launch capability. The campgrounds are very nice and include several miles of hiking trails.See the Deep Creek Lake website here..Deep Creek Lake.
21. Mount Vernon - Piscatawy Park - photo album - Photo gallery with full screen slideshow - free 24 hrs. - two ramps and a 20" tall dock - Put in on Marshall Hall Boat Ramp on Maryland 227. Lots of Osprey nests in the area. Watching them dive for fish makes a great show. Paddle to Mount Vernon on the other side of the river and to Fort Washington a couple miles further north. Fanastic place to explore with a kayak, but beware of huge wakes from very large boats. As usual, early in the morning, before traffic on the water gets heavy, is the best time for kayaking and the best time for wildlife viewing as well. There is a lot of floating debree and some shallow water along the shoreline with large natural gardens of underwater plants.
22. Pocomoke State Park - Ramp launch with small fee - Photo gallery with full screen slideshow Camping and other park amenities available - It was raining hard when we arrived so we did not launch, however we feel confident in recommending this as an excellent kayak destination. It is close to BlackWater Wildlife Refuge and Chincoteague and would be an excellent part of a multi trip adventure. Search the Maryland park website for more info.
