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Maryland | Kent County / Upper Eastern Shore Maryland

Eastern Neck Island Water TrailBogles Wharf around Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge and return

The official Eastern Neck Island Water Trail circles the 2,285-acre refuge from Bogles Wharf through Chesapeake Bay and Chester River water, connecting marked points of interest.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 10 miles round trip around Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge from Bogles Wharf
DifficultyHard
Typical time5–9 hours depending on wind
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 10 miles round trip around Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge from Bogles WharfBogles Wharf around Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge and return
DifficultyhardThe 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 Bogles Wharf after verifying Kent County permit needs, refuge hours/closures, marine forecast, tide, and daylight.
PermitsCheck posted rulesBogles Wharf is open to non-motorized launching year-round; trailered boats require a Kent County permit. Follow current refuge dawn-to-dusk hours, hunt closures, Maryland boating/PFD rules, tide and marine forecasts, and posted restrictions.
CampingDay tripNo route camping is identified. Use nearby lodging or a separately confirmed campground; do not treat refuge shoreline, islands, or points of interest as overnight access.
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 Eastern Neck Island Water Trail circles the 2,285-acre refuge from Bogles Wharf through Chesapeake Bay and Chester River water, connecting marked points of interest.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Bogles Wharf landing
Open mapDirections to put-in

FWS identifies Ingleside as seasonal car-top access but this route deliberately uses year-round Bogles Wharf for continuity.

Finish

Take-out

Bogles Wharf landing return
Open mapDirections to take-out

The refuge is open dawn-to-dusk, with designated hunt closures; check current notices before driving or launching.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • FWS identifies Ingleside as seasonal car-top access but this route deliberately uses year-round Bogles Wharf for continuity.
  • The refuge is open dawn-to-dusk, with designated hunt closures; check current notices before driving or launching.
  • No route camping is claimed.

Watch for

  • USGS 01493100 Chester River proxy and trend
  • wind, waves, wakes, tide, current, cold water, thunderstorms, refuge hunt closures, and daylight
  • Bogles Wharf permit, dawn-to-dusk access, private shoreline, Ingleside seasonal launch, and hard same-launch return

Plan this paddle

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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

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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 corridorMaryland DNR/FWS Eastern Neck Island Water Trail, Approximately 10 miles round trip around Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge from Bogles Wharf

    The official DNR/FWS water-trail and refuge map identify the circular route, public start, marked points of interest, open-water exposure, and safety posture.

    Source

  • Authoritative public accessBogles Wharf landing to Bogles Wharf landing return

    FWS identifies Bogles Wharf as year-round non-motorized launch access; coordinates are retained as near-water anchors and current county permit/ramp conditions must be confirmed.

    Source

  • Proxy flow and tidal evidenceUSGS 01493100 Chester River at Crumpton watershed-context proxy

    The upstream Chester River station is proxy context only and does not provide a local tide, wind, depth, or safe-discharge cutoff for the refuge loop.

    Source

  • Camping postureNearby basecamp only

    No refuge or trail camping is claimed for this water trail.

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01493100, Chester River at Crumpton, 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 Chesapeake context; it does not certify Eastern Neck wind, tide, 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

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Quick answers

Eastern Neck Island Water Trail paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Bogles Wharf around Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge and return route on the Eastern Neck Island Water Trail?

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 Bogles Wharf around Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge and return route on the Eastern Neck Island Water Trail start and end?

This route starts at Bogles Wharf landing and ends at Bogles Wharf landing return, Approximately 10 miles round trip around Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge from Bogles Wharf on the water.

Is the Bogles Wharf around Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge and return route on the Eastern Neck Island Water Trail 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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