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Maryland | Calvert County / Southern Maryland

Calvert County Water TrailsSolomons Island Patuxent River loop

A challenging same-launch Solomons Island route from the public non-motorized access, bounded at the nearby Patuxent points and coves before an unsupported open-water extension.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 2 miles round trip to Point Patience or Sandy Point, with optional coves and Back Creek extensions excluded
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.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceApproximately 2 miles round trip to Point Patience or Sandy Point, with optional coves and Back Creek extensions excludedSolomons Island Patuxent River 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; launch and return at the Solomons public ramp/soft access, confirming the current fee, parking, hours, and non-motorized staging area.
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 nearbyThe Solomons ramp is day-use access. Arrange separate lodging or campground; no island or shoreline camping is claimed.
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

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A challenging same-launch Solomons Island route from the public non-motorized access, bounded at the nearby Patuxent points and coves before an unsupported open-water extension.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Solomons soft access at public boat ramp
Open mapDirections to put-in

The official access record lists a 24-hour public ramp with fee controls; launch non-motorized craft only from the designated soft-access area and keep the ramp clear.

Finish

Take-out

Solomons soft access return
Open mapDirections to take-out

The route is intentionally bounded at the named points/coves; do not continue into the Chesapeake or naval/working-waterfront areas without a separate plan.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The official access record lists a 24-hour public ramp with fee controls; launch non-motorized craft only from the designated soft-access area and keep the ramp clear.
  • The route is intentionally bounded at the named points/coves; do not continue into the Chesapeake or naval/working-waterfront areas without a separate plan.
  • Use current marine weather and tide data rather than the watershed proxy as a safe-flow threshold.

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
  • Solomons ramp/soft access, Thomas Johnson Bridge, fishing pier, museum shoreline, Point Patience, Sandy Point, wakes, current, and marine forecast

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

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Next 8 hours

Short-route 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 corridorMaryland DNR/Calvert County Solomons Island Trail, Approximately 2 miles round trip to Point Patience or Sandy Point, with optional coves and Back Creek extensions excluded

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

    Source

  • Authoritative public accessSolomons soft access at public boat ramp and Solomons soft access 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 postureThe Solomons ramp is day-use access. Arrange separate lodging or campground; no island or shoreline camping is claimed.

    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

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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.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 mapKings Landing Park to Cocktown Creek loopCalvert County / Southern MarylandModerate · Approximately 3 miles round trip, shorter turnarounds permittedMarina West at Kellam’s Park Fishing Creek loopCalvert County / Southern MarylandModerate · Approximately 5.5 miles round trip along Fishing Creek, shorter turnarounds permitted

Nearby routes within 75 miles

St. Mary’s County Water TrailsGreat Mills Launch to St. Mary’s City · about 6 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 7 miles one way along the shoreline; guide describes route choices from approximately 1 to 10 milesSt. Mary’s County Water TrailsPort of Leonardtown Park to Abell’s Wharf · about 10 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 6 miles one way; the guide also identifies Leonardtown Wharf and Camp Calvert as intermediate public access pointsSt. Mary’s County Water TrailsTall Timbers Landing and Herring Creek loop · about 11 straight-line mi awayModerate · Bounded Herring Creek loop along approximately 10 miles of shoreline; confirm the current route distance and turnaround on the county mapSt. Mary’s County Water TrailsPiney Point Lighthouse and Museum Creek loop · about 14 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 5.5 miles round trip within Piney Point Creek; the 4-mile Piney Point Landing extension is excluded

Quick answers

Calvert County Water Trails paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Solomons Island Patuxent River 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 Solomons Island Patuxent River loop route on the Calvert County Water Trails start and end?

This route starts at Solomons soft access at public boat ramp and ends at Solomons soft access return, Approximately 2 miles round trip to Point Patience or Sandy Point, with optional coves and Back Creek extensions excluded on the water.

Is the Solomons Island Patuxent River 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.

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