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Maryland | Dorchester County / Eastern Maryland

Blackwater RiverRoute 335 Blackwater launch to Shorters Wharf Purple Trail

The official USFWS Purple Trail is a one-way approximately 7.5-mile route from the Route 335 Blackwater soft launch to Shorters Wharf, crossing the central Blackwater corridor and requiring a deliberate shuttle.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 7.5 miles one way from Route 335 to Shorters Wharf
DifficultyHard
Typical time4–8 hours depending on tide
ShuttleCar 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 7.5 miles one way from Route 335 to Shorters WharfRoute 335 Blackwater launch to Shorters Wharf Purple Trail
DifficultyhardThe source describes recreational moving water, but shallow rock, current, cold water, debris, and bridge or access hazards remain material.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the vehicle at Shorters Wharf / G. Reese Todd Public Landing, then drive to the Route 335 soft launch. Confirm both public endpoints, parking, ramp/carry, high-tide road access, seasonal refuge status, and the take-out before launch.
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 the refuge. Shorters Wharf is a day-use public ramp; arrange separate mainland lodging or campground and do not camp at the refuge or ramp without explicit permission.
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 Purple Trail is a one-way approximately 7.5-mile route from the Route 335 Blackwater soft launch to Shorters Wharf, crossing the central Blackwater corridor and requiring a deliberate shuttle.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Blackwater NWR Route 335 soft launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

The Purple Trail is closed October 1–March 31 for wintering-waterfowl protection; current refuge notices and hunting restrictions supersede the generic map.

Finish

Take-out

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

Route 335 is a carry-in soft launch; Shorters Wharf is a public county ramp, but high tide can flood the approach road and conditions can change.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The Purple Trail is closed October 1–March 31 for wintering-waterfowl protection; current refuge notices and hunting restrictions supersede the generic map.
  • Route 335 is a carry-in soft launch; Shorters Wharf is a public county ramp, but high tide can flood the approach road and conditions can change.
  • Do not land in the marsh or on Wildlife Drive; the named Shorters Wharf ramp is the deliberate take-out before continuing into unplanned open water.

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
  • Purple Trail October 1–March 31 closure, one-way fatigue, Shorters Wharf road flooding, stronger current, and hard endpoint capture

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

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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 Purple Trail, approximately 7.5 miles one way

    The federal refuge boating page and official trail map identify the Purple Trail, length, central Blackwater corridor, and both access points.

    Source

  • Authoritative public accessRoute 335 federal soft launch to Shorters Wharf public ramp

    USFWS identifies both endpoints and the public launch restrictions; the county landing is the hard take-out.

    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; separate mainland basecamp required

    USFWS rules prohibit camping and fires on refuge lands.

    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.

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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 launchShorters 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 to Shorters Wharf Purple 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 to Shorters Wharf Purple Trail route on the Blackwater River start and end?

This route starts at Blackwater NWR Route 335 soft launch and ends at Shorters Wharf / G. Reese Todd Public Landing, Approximately 7.5 miles one way from Route 335 to Shorters Wharf on the water.

Is the Route 335 Blackwater launch to Shorters Wharf Purple Trail route on the Blackwater River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a hard 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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