Note: Please read the Safety Tips before you paddle into the wilds of Blackwater.
And be sure to purchase a Paddling Trails map before you go.
Find rentals and guides here.
Welcome to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and its paddling trails. The Refuge has provided
feeding and resting areas for migratory birds since it was established in 1933.
In this dramatic landscape of 25,000 acres, the Blackwater River winds its way through expanses
of open water and marsh, osprey and terns slice the vast sky as they dive, and bald eagles are the
sentinels atop the tallest pines. In a canoe or kayak, you can explore tidal marshes and brackish
ponds for a closer look at the Refuge's resident and visiting wildlife.
From October through November, as many as 50,000 geese, ducks, and tundra swans stop at Blackwater
Refuge during their migration along the Atlantic Flyway. To feed them, the Refuge staff plant
grain fields and seasonally flood impoundments. Up to 20 species of ducks and 250 species
of other birds may also be seen here, along with 165 species of threatened or endangered plants.
The endangered Delmarva fox squirrel and other species make their home in the large stands of
loblolly pine and hardwoods.
Special Note: The three Blackwater Refuge paddling trails were named
"Recommended Water Trails for 2006" by the American Canoe Association.
Blackwater River:
The Blackwater River is a major feature of the Refuge and the surrounding area. It begins where
Parsons and Corsey Creeks meet in northwestern Dorchester County, Maryland, then flows southeast to
Fishing Bay, which opens into the Chesapeake Bay. The Blackwater got its name because
tannic acid from decaying leaves on the forest floor darkens the water which drains from thousands
of acres into the river whenever it rains.
Among the Blackwater's tributaries, the largest is the Little Blackwater. It flows
12 twisting miles from its headwaters in Cambridge, Maryland to join the Blackwater, which
runs 17 more miles to Fishing Bay. The freshwater flow from this and other tributaries,
such as Coles Creek, produces different ranges of salinity that determine the type of wetland
plants you will see along the trails.
Life in Blackwater's Marsh:
The mix of fresh and saltwater helps make the Blackwater Refuge's marsh some of the
most productive habitat on the East Coast. Twice daily tides circulate bacteria and
protozoa to sustain aquatic plants, zooplankton, and insects, which are eaten by many
birds and animals of the marsh. Birds, mammals, and reptiles can readily adapt to
wide ranges of salinity in water, while plants are limited to very specific salt levels.
Disappearing Marsh:
While the marsh environment is naturally dynamic, some changes are a threat to its long-term
survival. Humans have introduced non-native wildlife and plants to the Eastern Shore's marsh,
which are detrimental to the original inhabitants.
The nutria, a non-native animal brought here in the 1940s for its fur, eats and destroys acres
of marsh every year. A project is underway to eradicate the nutria from Blackwater and preserve
the marsh. The native muskrat, while similar in appearance, does not cause the kind
of destruction the nutria does. To learn more about the nutria problem and the ongoing project
to save Blackwater from this destructive non-native, visit our Nutria page.
In addition to marsh losses caused by nutria and resident geese, Blackwater and other
marshes are disappearing as sea levels rise and the land sinks (subsidence) or erodes
away. If nutria eradication is successful, plans to rebuild the marsh with sediment dredged
from the river may be implemented. Ultimately, the technique could be used on a large
scale to preserve and restore the marsh.
The Paddling Trails:
The Orange and Purple Trails generally have the highest overall salinity and the lowest
diversity of plant species. Big cordgrass and saltmarsh cordgrass thrive here. In late July
and August, marsh hibiscus is covered in white and pink blooms.
On the Green Trail, the marsh ranges from slightly brackish to fresh water. During summer,
fragrant waterlily covers much of the water and narrow-leaved cattail grows at the water's
edge.
Distance: 9 miles one way
Paddling Time: 3.0 - 4.5 hours (speed 2-3 mph)
Put-in: Shorters Wharf or Rt. 335 Bridge
NOTE: A trail map is essential for paddling the Purple Trail
due to the long stretches of open water.
The Blackwater Paddling Trails map can be purchased at the Blackwater Refuge Visitor Center or online
at our online store.
Please also note that the Purple Trail is closed to paddlers
October 1 through March 31 each year. The closure is critical to avoid interfering with migratory
waterfowl on the Refuge.
The Purple Trail has access at either end. Park an extra
vehicle at the place you plan to take out, or arrange with a friend or outfitter for your pick up.
Check wind conditions before you decide the trail and the direction you will paddle. Wind
conditions are especially important on the Purple Trail
because of long stretches of open water.
When on the trail, follow black arrows on trail signs pointing
due north to mouth of Little Blackwater River. Also look for orange buoys marking the Purple Trail.
Distance: 2.8 miles round trip only
Paddling Time: 1.0 - 1.4 hours (speed 2-3 mph)
When on the trail, follow black arrows on trail signs pointing
due north to mouth of Little Blackwater River. Also look for orange buoys marking the Purple Trail.
Distance: 7.6 miles round trip only
Paddling Time: 2.6 - 3.8 hours (speed 2-3 mph)
Put-in: Shorters Wharf
Distance: 8 miles round trip only
Paddling Time: 2.6 - 4.0 hours (speed 2-3 mph)
Put-in: Rt. 335 Bridge
Note: During fall and winter, waterfowl hunters are active on
private property near the Green Trail. If you want more
information, call the Refuge Visitor Center at 410-228-2677 for exact hunting dates.
How To Reach Paddling Access Points:
From Baltimore or Washington -
Take Rt. 50 East to Cambridge, Maryland.
Turn right on Rt. 16 West.
At Church Creek, turn left onto Rt. 335.
Purple and Green Trail access
at the Blackwater River/Rt. 335 Bridge.
For Purple and Orange Trail
access, continue on 335, then turn left on Key Wallace Drive.
Go past Blackwater Refuge Visitor Center and Headquarters.
Turn right on Maple Dam Road to reach paddling trail access at Shorters Wharf/Blackwater River Bridge.
From Norfolk -
Take U.S. Rt. 13 North to Salisbury.
Take Rt. 50 West to Rt. 16 West.
Turn left onto Rt. 16 West and follow directions described above.
For canoe/kayak rentals, contact the following outfitters:
Rentals/Guide Services:
Guide Services:
For more information about visiting the Blackwater area, see
our Resources page. And if you have questions about the trails, you can contact the Friends of Blackwater on our
Contact page.
Or you can contact the Refuge staff at:
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
2145 Key Wallace Drive
Cambridge, Maryland 21613
Telephone: 410-228-2677
(Hearing-impaired visitors may call the Maryland Relay Service
at TDD/800-735-2258 voice)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 
| 
