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Maryland | Dorchester County / Eastern Maryland

Blackwater RiverRoute 335 Blackwater launch Green Trail

The official USFWS Green Trail is an approximately 8-mile round trip on the upper Blackwater River from the Route 335 soft launch, with fresh-to-brackish marsh, narrow channels, and a same-launch return.

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 8 miles round trip from the Route 335 Blackwater soft launch
DifficultyModerate
Typical time4–7 hours depending on tide
ShuttleNo shuttle
Two paddlers move downstream on the Monocacy River beneath wooded banks in Maryland.
Route photoMonocacy River Water Trail paddling contextPhoto by Saki / National Park Service

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceApproximately 8 miles round trip from the Route 335 Blackwater soft launchRoute 335 Blackwater launch Green Trail
DifficultymoderateThe source describes recreational moving water, but shallow rock, current, cold water, debris, and bridge or access hazards remain material.
ShuttleNo shuttleNo vehicle shuttle is required for the marked Green Trail loop. Launch and return at the Route 335 soft launch, with a conservative turnaround that leaves daylight for the full return.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge boating closures, dawn-to-dusk hours, seasonal waterfowl restrictions, hunting alerts, Maryland boating/PFD requirements, and designated-launch rules. Camping and fires are prohibited on the refuge.
CampingOptions nearbyCamping and fires are prohibited on Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Use nearby lodging or a separately confirmed mainland campground; do not treat refuge marsh or trail access as overnight camping.
SeasonMar-NovSpring through fall is the practical planning season, but Maryland water levels, recent rain, temperature, debris, and daylight control every launch decision.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

The official USFWS Green Trail is an approximately 8-mile round trip on the upper Blackwater River from the Route 335 soft launch, with fresh-to-brackish marsh, narrow channels, and a same-launch return.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Blackwater NWR Route 335 soft launch
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USFWS limits watercraft launching to designated launches and opens the water trails dawn to dusk; confirm current hunt/season notices.

Finish

Take-out

Blackwater NWR Route 335 soft launch return
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The Route 335 launch is a carry-in soft launch with limited parking; keep the roadway and bridge clear.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • USFWS limits watercraft launching to designated launches and opens the water trails dawn to dusk; confirm current hunt/season notices.
  • The Route 335 launch is a carry-in soft launch with limited parking; keep the roadway and bridge clear.
  • The Green Trail is a loop; no refuge shoreline, marsh island, or Wildlife Drive landing is an authorized emergency take-out.

Watch for

  • USGS 01490120 historical Little Blackwater stage-only proxy and current tide forecast
  • tide, wind, wave action, submerged mudflats, unmarked channels, shallow water, strainers/vegetation, thunderstorms, and cold water
  • dawn-to-dusk boundary, October 1–March 31 Purple Trail closure, hunting alerts, designated launches only, Shorters Wharf road flooding, and no-refuge-camping rule
  • Green Trail 2026–27 hunting alert, upper Blackwater fresh-to-brackish marsh, water-lily/cattail constrictions, and return margin

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

Two paddlers move downstream on the Monocacy River beneath wooded banks in Maryland.
Monocacy River Water Trail paddling contextPhoto by Saki / National Park Service
National Park Service public-agency image

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named moving-water corridorUSFWS Blackwater NWR Green Trail, approximately 8 miles round trip

    The federal refuge boating page and official trail map identify the Green Trail, route length, upper Blackwater setting, and Route 335 access.

    Source

  • Authoritative public accessBlackwater NWR Route 335 Blackwater River soft launch

    USFWS identifies this as the Green Trail launch and restricts watercraft launching to designated locations.

    Source

  • Proxy flow and tidal evidenceUSGS 01490120 Little Blackwater River near Cambridge, historical stage-only proxy

    The nearby same-subbasin station has no current discharge series and is not a safe-depth cutoff; combine historical context with current tide, wind, and observed channel depth.

    Source

  • Camping postureNo refuge camping; nearby basecamp only

    USFWS rules prohibit camping and fires on the refuge.

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01490120, Little Blackwater River near Cambridge, MD

    This is a clearly labeled proxy or route-context station; local water, tributaries, releases, and weather can differ materially.

    Source

  • Approved route imageryRights-cleared public-agency or public-domain corridor image

    Rights-cleared Maryland public-river image used as regional context; it does not certify Blackwater tide, wind, shallow mud, access, or refuge conditions.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Maryland

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Maryland route guideBrowse every tracked Maryland route.Dorchester County / Eastern MarylandJump to routes in this region.

More on Blackwater River

All 3
Route 335 Blackwater launch to Shorters Wharf Purple TrailDorchester County / Eastern MarylandHard · Approximately 7.5 miles one way from Route 335 to Shorters WharfShorters Wharf Orange TrailDorchester County / Eastern MarylandModerate · Approximately 8 miles round trip from Shorters Wharf

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Fishing Bay Water TrailsBestpitch boat launch through Transquaking River and the canal loop · about 8 straight-line mi awayHard · Approximately 5 miles round trip on the Transquaking River Loop TrailFishing Bay Water TrailsIsland Creek primitive boat launch to Great Marsh Point and return · about 13 straight-line mi awayHard · Approximately 3 miles round trip to Great Marsh Point on the bounded Island Creek optionNanticoke River Water TrailCedar Hill Marina and Park to Nanticoke Harbor · about 16 straight-line mi awayModerate · Lower Nanticoke public-access reach from Cedar Hill’s sandy soft access to the Nanticoke Harbor sand beach; use the current map for route distance and channel selectionNanticoke River Water TrailCove Road Beach to Roaring Point Park · about 17 straight-line mi awayModerate · Lower Nanticoke beach-to-beach reach; use the current Explorer’s Welcome map and marine chart for distance, channel, and landing details

Quick answers

Blackwater River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Route 335 Blackwater launch Green Trail route on the Blackwater River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Route 335 Blackwater launch Green Trail route on the Blackwater River start and end?

This route starts at Blackwater NWR Route 335 soft launch and ends at Blackwater NWR Route 335 soft launch return, Approximately 8 miles round trip from the Route 335 Blackwater soft launch on the water.

Is the Route 335 Blackwater launch Green Trail route on the Blackwater River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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