Paddling in Kent County, MD - Maps
Chester River North
Chester River North Chestertown to Crumpton
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The northern reaches of the Chester River are not paddled as often as the southern. A half-day trip, however, can be equally rewarding and less challenging in a southwest breeze. In the vicinity of Chestertown, the Chester's shores are lined with private residences; and for nearly a quarter mile below the bridge between Chestertown and Kingstown, the western shore is lined with 18th Century homes, all beautifully preserved. The river above and below Chestertown is broad and the countryside is peaceful and verdant. Farms come down to the water for much of the way in both directions.
The symbol  indicates a put-in point for kayaks or canoes. Directions to each from the main road are included below.Chestertown has recently renovated the area at the foot of High Street to create a riverfront park for picnickers and pedestrians. It has enhanced an already-charming colonial town, but paddlers who wish to launch from Chestertown proper may want to use the public dock and parking area adjacent to the Old Wharf Restaurant, one block south. |
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High Street
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At the light, turn left off MD Route 213 onto Cross Street. Turn left onto High Street. Proceed to the riverfront. See note above.
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Morgnec
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Take MD Route 291 east out of Chestertown. Immediately after crossing Morgan Creek, look for the fishing area on the left.
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Buckingham Wharf
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Proceed east on MD Route 291 for 1.4 miles beyond the Morgnec put-in. Turn right onto Buckingham Road and proceed to the end
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Chester River South
Chester River South and Eastern Neck Island
indicates a put-in point for kayaks or canoes. Directions to each from the main road are included below. The southernmost third of the Chester River is one of the most beautiful waterways on the Eastern Shore. Picturesque creeks enter the Chester from both shores, and the Corsica River joins the Chester a few miles above its mouth. The abundance of public landings and put-in points make it possible to vary trip length to suit any schedule.
Crossing the Chester can present a challenge to the novice. Paddlers may encounter currents of up to two knots under certain wind and tide conditions; and the prevailing southwest wind during summer months can create short, steep waves in the afternoon.
Eastern Neck Island forms the western shore near the river's mouth. Settled by the Wickes family in 1650, the island is now a National Wildlife Refuge. A circuit of the island is a must for any trip to the mouth of the Chester.
Those who are interested in technical data on the Chester River and its companion stream to the north, the Sassafras, may wish to examine the Environmental Protection Agency's Watershed Environmental Profile which provides a wealth of detail on both.
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Bogle's Wharf Ramp
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Go south out of Rock Hall on MD Route 445. Go across the bridge onto Eastern Neck Island. When the road forks, take the left fork to its end.
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Gray's Inn Landing
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Go south out of Rock Hall on MD Route 445. After passing Boundary Avenue, go .8 mile and turn left onto Grays Inn Landing Rd. Proceed to end
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Skinner's Neck Ramp
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Turn Off MD Route 20 onto MD Route 288E. At the "T", turn right and follow the road to its end. Ramp is on the left.
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Herringtown Landing
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Turn Off MD Route 20 onto MD Route 288E. At the "T", turn right and follow the road .4 mile, Turn left on Harrington Park Rd. and proceed to the end.
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Long Cove Ramp
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Turn Off MD Route 20 onto MD Route 288E At the "T", turn left and follow 288E to its end.
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Shipyard Landing
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Turn off MD Route 20 onto Shipyard Landing Road 1 mile north of Edesville. Proceed to the end..
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Broadneck Landing
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Leave Chestertown on MD Route 20S for Rock Hall. Turn left off MD Route 20 onto MD Route 446S. Proceed to the end.
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Cliff City Ramp
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Leave Chestertown on MD Route 289S. Proceed to the end
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Quaker Neck Landing
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Leave Chestertown on MD Route 289S. Turn left onto Quaker Neck Landing Road .4 mile south of Pomona. Proceed to the end.
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Rock Hall and Vicinity
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Spring Cove Marina
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Go north from Rock Hall .7 mile on Route 445. Turn left on Spring Cove Road just before leaving town. Proceed to the "T" and go left.
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The Haven
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Go to the end of Route 20
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Rock Hall Beach
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Just before the end of Route 20, turn left onto Beach Road and proceed .2 mile
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Green Lane Launch Ramp
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Go south out of Rock Hall on Route 445. After passing Boundary Avenue, turn right onto Green Lane and proceed to the end.
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Allen's Lane
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Continue south on Route 445 for .2 mile beyond the Green Lane turnoff. Turn right onto Allen's Lane and proceed to the end.
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The most accessible of the Rock Hall put-in points is probably Rock Hall Beach. The Rock Hall area offers some fine in-shore paddling. Swan Creek is navigable for more than a mile above its mouth; and Tavern Creek, although shorter, is just as pretty. Rock Hall also offers some comfortable and affordable waterfront dining, as well as several of the best marinas on Maryland's Eastern Shore. |
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Chesapeake Bay
Betterton to Tolchester Beach
| The northern coast of Kent County offers some fine opportunities for in-shore paddling. Additionally, between Betterton at the mouth of the Sassafras River and Tolchester Beach there are three large creek systems that invite travelers back into the surrounding countryside. One of the most peaceful and lovely is Churn Creek which flows into the larger Still Pond Creek near its mouth. It is the resting place of thousands of waterfowl during the spring and fall migrations, and is protected from north and northwest winds by a sandbar at its mouth. The Still Pond Coast Guard Station is just a short distance north. For more information about the camps in the local area, click on Camp Fairlee Manor, Camp Tockwogh or Camp Echo Hill. The symbol indicates a put-in point for kayaks or canoes. Directions to each from the main road are included below. |
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Betterton
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Betterton ramp and beach are at the end of MD Route 292, also called Still Pond Road.
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Still Pond Landing
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From MD Route 292 northwest of Still Pond, take Bessicks Corner Road southwest toward Still Pond Creek. Turn right onto Still Pond Creek Road. Ramp is on the left.
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Green Point Landing
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From MD Route 298, turn left onto Newtown Road north of Melitota. After passing St. James Church, turn left onto Green Point Road and proceed to the end.
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Buck Neck Landing
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From MD Route 298, turn left onto Buck Neck Road just north of Melitota. Proceed to the end.
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Fairlee Landing
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Leave Fairlee on Bay Shore Road. Turn right onto Fairlee Landing Road at the corner of Camp Fairlee Manor.
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Fairlee Creek to Rock Hall Harbor
To reach the Tolchester Beach put-in if you are traveling from Chestertown, leave MD Route 20 on MD Route 21 in the vicinity of Caulk's Field and proceed to the end of the road. If you are traveling from Rock Hall, leave Rock Hall on MD Route 445 and turn left at the junction of MD Routes 445 and 21.
Sassafras River
Sassafras River Georgetown to Turner's Creek
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The Sassafras River forms the northern boundary of Kent County. Unlike the Chester, the Sassafras runs nearly east-west and is substantialy shorter. Less than a mile beyond the mouth of Lloyd Creek, the Sassafras flows past the resort town of Betteron and into the Upper Chesapeak Bay. For more information about the geology and wildlife in the local area, visit the Sassafras River Natural Resources Management Area located approximately 12 miles north of Chestertown on Turners Creek Road.
Those who are interested in technical data on the Sassfras River and its companion stream to the south, the Chester, may wish to examine the Environmental Protection Agency's Watershed Environmental Profile which provides a wealth of detail on both. The symbol indicates a put-in point for kayaks or canoes. Directions to each from the main road are included below. |
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Georgetown Landing
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From Galena, take MD Route 290 East. Turn left onto Gregg Road. Proceed to the end.
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Shallcross Wharf
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Just west of the intersection of MD Routes 213 and 444, take Shallcross Wharf Road north. At the fork, bear left and proceed to the end.
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Turner's Creek Landing
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From MD 213, take MD Route 298 west toward Still Pond. Turn north onto Turner's Creek Road and proceed to the end.
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