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Maryland | Dorchester County / Eastern Maryland

Blackwater RiverShorters Wharf Orange Trail

The official USFWS Orange Trail is an approximately 8-mile round trip from Shorters Wharf through the central Blackwater River and Coles Creek, with brackish marsh and tidal navigation.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 8 miles round trip from Shorters Wharf
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 Shorters WharfShorters Wharf Orange 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 Orange Trail loop. Launch and return at Shorters Wharf, confirming the public ramp, parking, high-tide road access, and dawn-to-dusk refuge rules.
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 mainland lodging or a separately confirmed campground; the Shorters Wharf ramp is day-use access only.
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

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

The official USFWS Orange Trail is an approximately 8-mile round trip from Shorters Wharf through the central Blackwater River and Coles Creek, with brackish marsh and tidal navigation.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Shorters Wharf / G. Reese Todd Public Landing
Open mapDirections to put-in

Shorters Wharf is a public county ramp identified by USFWS for the Orange Trail, but road flooding at high tide and ramp conditions require a same-day check.

Finish

Take-out

Shorters Wharf / G. Reese Todd Public Landing return
Open mapDirections to take-out

The Orange Trail is a marked loop, not a license to land on Coles Creek marsh or Wildlife Drive shoreline.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Shorters Wharf is a public county ramp identified by USFWS for the Orange Trail, but road flooding at high tide and ramp conditions require a same-day check.
  • The Orange Trail is a marked loop, not a license to land on Coles Creek marsh or Wildlife Drive shoreline.
  • The refuge water trails are dawn to dusk; preserve a tide and daylight margin for the return to Shorters Wharf.

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
  • Orange Trail Coles Creek turns, brackish/muddy central marsh, Shorters Wharf high-tide road access, and return daylight

Plan this paddle

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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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 Orange Trail, approximately 8 miles round trip through central Blackwater River and Coles Creek

    The federal refuge boating page and official trail map identify the Orange Trail, route length, Coles Creek, and Shorters Wharf access.

    Source

  • Authoritative public accessShorters Wharf / G. Reese Todd Public Landing

    USFWS identifies Shorters Wharf as the public ramp for the Orange Trail and restricts other refuge shoreline launches.

    Source

  • Proxy flow and tidal evidenceUSGS 01490120 historical Little Blackwater stage-only proxy

    No current discharge or local numeric cutoff is claimed. Use current tide/wind, observed depth, route map, and refuge conditions.

    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 Green TrailDorchester County / Eastern MarylandModerate · Approximately 8 miles round trip from the Route 335 Blackwater soft launchRoute 335 Blackwater launch to Shorters Wharf Purple TrailDorchester County / Eastern MarylandHard · Approximately 7.5 miles one way from Route 335 to Shorters Wharf

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Fishing Bay Water TrailsBestpitch boat launch through Transquaking River and the canal loop · about 5 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 7 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 11 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 11 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 Shorters Wharf Orange 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 Shorters Wharf Orange Trail route on the Blackwater River start and end?

This route starts at Shorters Wharf / G. Reese Todd Public Landing and ends at Shorters Wharf / G. Reese Todd Public Landing return, Approximately 8 miles round trip from Shorters Wharf on the water.

Is the Shorters Wharf Orange 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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