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Delaware | Sussex County / Laurel and lower Broad Creek

Broad CreekRoger C. Fisher Laurel River Park to Phillips Landing

An approximately 8-mile tidal Broad Creek water-trail reach from Roger C. Fisher Laurel River Park to the DNREC Phillips Landing ramp and canoe launch near the Nanticoke confluence.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 8 tidal river miles from Fisher Park to Phillips Landing
DifficultyModerate
Typical time2.5–5 hours depending on tide
ShuttleCar shuttle
Broad Creek flows through Laurel, Delaware.
Route photoBroad Creek in Laurel; same-river contextPhoto by Ed Lewandowski / State of Delaware

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 tidal river miles from Fisher Park to Phillips LandingRoger C. Fisher Laurel River Park to Phillips Landing
DifficultymoderateThe upper section is described as beginner/intermediate, but the full Fisher-to-Phillips reach adds tidal current, wind exposure, shallow/muddy water, open-water conditions near the confluence, limited bailout, and an approximately 8-mile committed distance.
ShuttleCar shuttleUse a two-vehicle shuttle or arrange lawful pickup at Phillips Landing. Confirm Fisher and Phillips parking, carry, ramp sharing, daylight, fees/certificates, keys, and the actual waterline; never stage on a bridge shoulder, private bank, or unmarked marsh landing.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow the current NPS/Nanticoke water-trail and Delaware tidal-access guidance, DNREC boating/PFD and Fish & Wildlife ramp rules, any Conservation Access Pass or ramp-certificate requirement, tide/weather advisories, water-quality notices, and posted closures. No route-specific paddle permit is claimed.
CampingDay tripNo on-route camping is claimed. Use separately reserved lodging or a designated campground; public parks, ramps, docks, and wildlife-area shorelines do not create an overnight camping entitlement.
SeasonApr-OctLate spring through fall is the practical planning season. Avoid thunderstorms, strong wind, poor visibility, cold-water exposure, and recent-storm water-quality concerns; verify tide, current, waterline, daylight, and access immediately before launch.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A documented Broad Creek water-trail day route with a public Laurel launch, a reconstructed Phillips Landing ramp/canoe launch, strong tide/wind dependence, and no informal shoreline camping posture.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Roger C. Fisher Laurel River Park launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

NPS provides an itinerary and the state inventory provides facility listings, but neither guarantees a launch-ready wetted edge, current Fisher launch condition, parking availability, or a safe Phillips landing on the day of travel.

Finish

Take-out

Phillips Landing boat ramp and canoe launch
Open mapDirections to take-out

The water-trail source says time and tide are closely connected and the lower section intensifies as the creek becomes more open. Retain a conservative turnaround plan and do not launch late in the day.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • NPS provides an itinerary and the state inventory provides facility listings, but neither guarantees a launch-ready wetted edge, current Fisher launch condition, parking availability, or a safe Phillips landing on the day of travel.
  • The water-trail source says time and tide are closely connected and the lower section intensifies as the creek becomes more open. Retain a conservative turnaround plan and do not launch late in the day.
  • The route ends at Phillips Landing. Do not treat Edward Koch, Seaford, Woodland Ferry, private banks, or the open Nanticoke as automatic extensions; each requires a separate access and tidal-navigation review.

Watch for

  • USGS 01487000 Nanticoke River near Bridgeville proxy trend plus current tide, wind, recent rainfall, salinity, visual depth, and local waterline
  • shallow mud, shoals, submerged vegetation, reversing current, strainers, debris, bridge/dock traffic, wakes, cold-water immersion, and open-water exposure near Phillips
  • Fisher Park and Phillips parking/carry/landing, ramp sharing, daylight, fees/certificates, water-quality notices, and shuttle failure

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

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Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Next 8 hours

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Route gallery

Photos

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

Broad Creek flows through Laurel, Delaware.
Broad Creek in Laurel; same-river contextPhoto by Ed Lewandowski / State of Delaware
State of Delaware 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 corridorRoger C. Fisher Laurel River Park to Phillips Landing on Broad Creek

    NPS identifies Fisher Park to Phillips Landing as the longer Broad Creek itinerary and describes Phillips Landing near the Nanticoke confluence; the route is bounded before the open Nanticoke/Delaware Bay.

    Source

  • Public endpoint evidenceFisher Park launch and DNREC Phillips Landing three-ramp/canoe launch

    The Nanticoke water-trail access record names Fisher Park and the current Delaware inventory lists Phillips Landing with three ramps and an additional kayak launch. DNREC’s project notice documents new floating docks and a dedicated canoe/kayak launch at Phillips.

    Source

  • Proxy flow evidenceUSGS 01487000 Nanticoke River near Bridgeville, DE

    Long-running same-basin Nanticoke discharge and gage-height context, upstream of the Broad Creek route. Use only as proxy trend with local tide, wind, visual depth, and waterline checks; no safe cfs cutoff is transferred.

    Source

  • Route-specific tide guidanceNPS 8-mile itinerary plus Paddle the Nanticoke tide/current and exposure guidance

    NPS provides the bounded 8-mile option; the water-trail guidance says time and tide are closely connected, identifies strong current and wind exposure, and warns that the lower section becomes more open near Phillips. Use current tide predictions, wind, waterline, and daylight rather than a universal cutoff.

    Source

  • Safety and logistics evidenceNPS Nanticoke Water Trail, current Delaware tidal-access inventory, and DNREC Phillips project record

    The documented water trail supplies the route distance, endpoint sequence, and skill/current posture; Delaware and DNREC supply the public-facility and launch-improvement controls. Preserve shallow/muddy, tide/wind, confluence, ramp-sharing, and hard-endpoint controls.

    Source

  • Camping postureNearby basecamp only

    No on-route camping or overnight use of public ramps, parks, docks, or private marsh banks is claimed.

    Source

  • Approved route imageryCC BY-SA 4.0 Nanticoke River same-estuary context photograph

    Wikimedia Commons photograph of the Nanticoke River in Maryland near the Delaware Broad Creek estuary; same-estuary context only and not certification of current Broad Creek access, tide, hazards, or endpoint 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 Delaware

All 16 routes
Delaware route guideBrowse every tracked Delaware route.Sussex County / Laurel and lower Broad CreekJump to routes in this region.

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Nanticoke RiverSeaford public boat ramp to Woodland Wharf kayak launch · about 6 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 5 tidal-freshwater river miles from the Seaford public ramp to Woodland Wharf; actual line and tide may varyNanticoke River Water TrailMardela Springs Barren Creek exploration and return · about 12 straight-line mi awayModerate · DNR access record reports approximately 6.5 miles from Mardela Springs to the Nanticoke River; this card is bounded as a same-launch exploration with east/west turnaroundsMarshyhope Creek Water TrailFederalsburg Marina Park canoe launch to Federalsburg VFW/Marshyhope Greenway South · about 14 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 1 mile through the Federalsburg Marshyhope Creek Water TrailNanticoke River Water TrailVienna Waterfront Park to Cherry Beach Park · about 14 straight-line mi awayModerate · Named Nanticoke River Water Trail Vienna-to-Cherry Beach reach; use the current Explorer’s Welcome map for the route distance and intermediate access sequence

Quick answers

Broad Creek paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Roger C. Fisher Laurel River Park to Phillips Landing route on the Broad Creek?

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 Roger C. Fisher Laurel River Park to Phillips Landing route on the Broad Creek start and end?

This route starts at Roger C. Fisher Laurel River Park launch and ends at Phillips Landing boat ramp and canoe launch, Approximately 8 tidal river miles from Fisher Park to Phillips Landing on the water.

Is the Roger C. Fisher Laurel River Park to Phillips Landing route on the Broad Creek 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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