Paddling Scenic Waterways in St. Mary’s County

Public Canoe/Kayak Launch Areas

Downstream from Great Mills Canoe/Kayak Launch – St. Mary’s River Water Trail.

St. Mary’s County has sixteen County owned and operated public landings. Some have piers, boat ramps for motorized boats, and some are only suitable for canoe and kayak launching (see below). The numbers below correspond with the numbers on the downloadable map St. Mary’s County County & State Waterfront Parks for Canoe/Kayak Launching and/or Rest Stops. Click here to download a copy of the Paddling Scenic Waterways in St. Mary's County brochure.

A complete listing of public water access points can be found on our website   or in our Guide to Public Landings and Water Access brochure.
 

1. Camp Calvert Landing
   MD 5, end of Camp Calvert Road, on Breton Bay, Leonardtown

2. Fresh Pond Neck Landing
   MD 5, end of Fresh Pond Neck Road, St. Jerome’s Creek, Ridge

3. Great Mills Canoe/Kayak Launch
   MD 5, Great Mills; St. Mary’s River Water Trail; pull out at end of Adkins Road or MD 5 in St. Mary’s City

4. Paul Ellis Landing
   MD 242, end of Paul Ellis Road, White’s Neck Creek, Avenue

5. St. George’s Island Landing
   MD 5, Thomas Road, St. George Creek,
   St. George Island

6. Tall Timbers Landing
   MD 5 to MD 249, end of
   Tall Timbers Road, Herring Creek, Tall Timbers

Town of Leonardtown Sites

7. McIntosh Run Canoe/Kayak Launch
   MD 5 in Leonardtown, next to KFC & Exxon; pull out at Camp Calvert Landing

8. Leonardtown Wharf Park
   Rt. 5 to end of Washington Street, Leonardtown
    

9. Elms Beach Park
   MD 235, Bay Forest Road; open water of Chesapeake Bay, Dameron. Launch or visit by water.

10. Myrtle Point Park
    MD 4, Patuxent Boulevard; paddle Mill Creek or Patuxent River; California. Launch or visit by water.

11. Piney Point Lighthouse, Museum and Park
    MD 5 to MD 249 Lighthouse Road, Piney Point. No launch area; paddlers may visit by water.

For additional information on County parks, please visit our website at www.co.saint-marys.md.us/recreate/facilities

12. Point Lookout State Park
    MD 5, Point Lookout; paddle Point Lookout Creek, Potomac River or Chesapeake Bay. Launch or visit by water.

13. St. Clement’s Island State Park
    MD 242 to Colton’s Point; paddle St. Clement’s Bay or Potomac River. Paddlers may visit the park by water.

14. St. Mary’s River State Park
    MD 5, Camp Cosoma Road, Leonardtown. Citizens are welcome to paddle the lake.

15. Greenwell State Park
    MD 235 to Sotterley Road to Steer Horn Neck Road, Patuxent River, Hollywood. Launch or visit park by water.

For more information on State parks, please visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website at www.dnr.state.md.us

• County operated public landings are closed between sunset and sunrise.

• No overnight parking, camping, or open fires at public landings.

• No glass bottles or containers and no littering at landings; paddlers are encouraged to adopt the “carry-in, carry-out policy.”

• Always leave word with someone about your paddling plans.

• Always check the weather forecast before paddling; weather can change suddenly and create dangerous conditions. Calm conditions in sheltered areas can easily disguise more hazardous conditions offshore.

• Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD) or life jacket.

• Carrying a cellular phone is a good idea, though some areas may have weak coverage.

• Please be aware that most of the shoreline in St. Mary’s County is privately owned and trespassing is unlawful.

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St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation & Parks is interested in promoting canoe/kayaking opportunities in local waterways. Please call Ken Spring, with the Calvert Marine Museum Canoe and Kayak Club, at springK@hughes.net  if you would like to join the club and participate in activities.
 
Kayak handling classes are periodically offered at the Great Mills Swimming Pool. Please call Bill Gallagher at (301) 373-5279, or the pool at (301) 866-6560, for more information.
 
For questions regarding operations or maintenance at public landings, please call the Parks Division at (301) 863-6068.