Paddle TodayFind the best paddle near you today

Live score, water level, and weather.

See all 6 routes on Calvert County Water Trails

Maryland | Calvert County / Southern Maryland

Calvert County Water TrailsKings Landing Park to Cocktown Creek loop

A sheltered same-launch Cocktown Creek route from Kings Landing Park, with the narrow creek and wetlands providing a bounded alternative to exposed Patuxent water.

Route location

Loading the route map.

Open access map

Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 3 miles round trip, shorter turnarounds permitted
DifficultyModerate
Typical time1.5–3 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.
View Primary Source
Embed this route

Route alerts

Email me when this route improves

We'll email you when this route climbs into Good or Strong. Every email includes an unsubscribe link.

We only email on a new threshold crossing.

Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceApproximately 3 miles round trip, shorter turnarounds permittedKings Landing Park to Cocktown Creek loop
DifficultymoderateThe source describes recreational moving water, but shallow rock, current, cold water, debris, and bridge or access hazards remain material.
ShuttleNo shuttleNo shuttle is required; park and launch at Kings Landing, carry approximately 170 yards to the beach, and return to the same public access before park closing.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current Calvert County, Maryland DNR, park, marina, launch-fee, parking, tide, marine-weather, and Maryland boating/PFD rules. No route-specific permit beyond the named endpoint rules is claimed.
CampingOptions nearbyKings Landing Park is a day-use launch in this route record. Arrange separate legal lodging or campground; do not camp or leave equipment at the landing.
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.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

Waiting on forecast.

Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A sheltered same-launch Cocktown Creek route from Kings Landing Park, with the narrow creek and wetlands providing a bounded alternative to exposed Patuxent water.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

End of map
Start

Put-in

Kings Landing Park soft launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

The county guide requires a gravel-lot park-and-carry to the sandy launch; confirm current seasonal hours, parking, and access surface.

Finish

Take-out

Kings Landing Park soft launch return
Open mapDirections to take-out

The route is intentionally bounded at the narrowing Cocktown Creek channel; do not substitute private marsh banks or the duck-blind shoreline as an exit.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The county guide requires a gravel-lot park-and-carry to the sandy launch; confirm current seasonal hours, parking, and access surface.
  • The route is intentionally bounded at the narrowing Cocktown Creek channel; do not substitute private marsh banks or the duck-blind shoreline as an exit.
  • Current park notices and the tide/weather forecast supersede the older guide.

Watch for

  • USGS 01594440 Patuxent watershed proxy and current marine/tide forecast
  • wind, waves, current, wakes, shallow creek turns, debris, thunderstorms, cold water, cliffs, and private shoreline
  • park hours, parking, launch carries/fees, marina traffic, fishing lines, and hard named endpoints
  • Kings Landing soft launch carry, Cocktown Creek entrance, duck blind, narrowing channel, shallow marsh, tide, wind, and same-launch daylight return

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

Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.

Browser plans

Browser plans stay on this device. Sharing opens your device’s share tools or gives you text to copy.

Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.

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

Recent trend

Checking preferred range.

Checking trend.

------------

Weather

Hourly forecast

Checking weather.

Loading today's forecast.

Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

Checking the next several hours.

Checking the best short-route window.
----Loading--

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 corridorMaryland DNR/Calvert County Kings Landing to Cocktown Creek Trail, Approximately 3 miles round trip, shorter turnarounds permitted

    The official county guide describes the named route, route-specific distance or bounded option, access facility, and local hazards.

    Source

  • Authoritative public accessKings Landing Park soft launch and Kings Landing Park soft launch return

    Current Maryland DNR public-access records and the county guide identify the access facility. Coordinates are on/near-water anchors; verify current operations, fees, and carry.

    Source

  • Proxy flow and tidal evidenceUSGS 01594440 Patuxent River near Bowie, clearly labeled watershed proxy

    The station is not local to these tidal routes and supplies no safe-depth or tide cutoff. Use current marine/tide conditions and observed water.

    Source

  • Camping postureKings Landing Park is a day-use launch in this route record. Arrange separate legal lodging or campground; do not camp or leave equipment at the landing.

    Camping is separate from day-use launch access and must follow the named park, marina, or county rules.

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01594440, Patuxent River near Bowie, 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 Calvert County tide, wind, access, or route hazards.

    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

Paddler reports

See recent photos and notes from people on the route.

Share your trip

Help build the route page

Add photos or send a quick condition report.

Photos

Upload route photos

Add access, hazard, or on-water photos.

No files selected yet.

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

All 131 routes
Maryland route guideBrowse every tracked Maryland route.Calvert County / Southern MarylandJump to routes in this region.

More on Calvert County Water Trails

All 6
Hallowing Point to Caney Creek and Benedict Community ParkCalvert County / Southern MarylandModerate · Approximately 4 miles round trip into Caney Creek; the Hallowing Point to Benedict crossing is just over 1 mile round tripJefferson Patterson Park to St. Leonard Creek bounded routeCalvert County / Southern MarylandModerate · Bounded St. Leonard Creek route from the JPPM south access; confirm the current creek option distance on the park mapMarina West at Kellam’s Park Fishing Creek loopCalvert County / Southern MarylandModerate · Approximately 5.5 miles round trip along Fishing Creek, shorter turnarounds permittedNan’s Cove to Rock Creek and Broomes Island bounded loopCalvert County / Southern MarylandModerate · Approximately 1 mile for adjacent coves, 2 miles round trip to Rock Creek, or 5 miles round trip to the mouth of Island Creek

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Patuxent RiverSelby’s Landing to Clyde Watson Boating Area · about 9 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 13.5 river miles from Selby’s Landing to Clyde WatsonPatuxent RiverJackson’s Landing to Selby’s Landing · about 10 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 2.7 river miles from Jackson’s Landing to Selby’s LandingPatuxent RiverWootons Landing to Jackson’s Landing · about 16 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 9.5 river miles from Wootons Landing to Jackson’s LandingPatuxent RiverQueen Anne Canoe Launch to Wootons Landing · about 18 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 5.2 river miles from Queen Anne to Wootons Landing

Quick answers

Calvert County Water Trails paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Kings Landing Park to Cocktown Creek loop route on the Calvert County Water Trails?

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 Kings Landing Park to Cocktown Creek loop route on the Calvert County Water Trails start and end?

This route starts at Kings Landing Park soft launch and ends at Kings Landing Park soft launch return, Approximately 3 miles round trip, shorter turnarounds permitted on the water.

Is the Kings Landing Park to Cocktown Creek loop route on the Calvert County Water Trails 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.

Flag a change

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.

Report a changeEmail update