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See all 7 routes on Janes Island State Park Water Trails

Maryland | Somerset County / Southern Eastern Shore Maryland

Janes Island State Park Water TrailsJanes Island Marina Black Trail

A marked Black Trail loop from the marina through the island interior to Back Creek and Little Annemessex River before returning through Daugherty Creek Canal.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 3.5 miles round trip from the Janes Island marina soft launch
DifficultyModerate
Typical time1.5–4 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 3.5 miles round trip from the Janes Island marina soft launchJanes Island Marina Black Trail
DifficultymoderateThe source describes recreational moving water, but shallow rock, current, cold water, debris, and bridge or access hazards remain material.
ShuttleNo shuttleNo vehicle shuttle is required: launch and finish at the Janes Island State Park marina soft launch. Confirm parking, launch congestion, daylight, tide, wind, route signs, and the ability to retrace the marked trail before committing.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current Janes Island State Park hours, launch and parking rules, Maryland boating/PFD requirements, backcountry-campsite permit rules, weather/tide advisories, and posted closures. Backcountry camping requires a park permit; mainland camping requires a current reservation or park authorization.
CampingOptions nearbyUse Janes Island mainland camping or a separately permitted primitive backcountry campsite. No unreserved overnight landing is claimed along Back Creek or the island marsh.
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

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A marked Black Trail loop from the marina through the island interior to Back Creek and Little Annemessex River before returning through Daugherty Creek Canal.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Janes Island State Park marina soft launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

Start and finish at the documented marina soft launch.

Finish

Take-out

Janes Island State Park marina soft launch (return)
Open mapDirections to take-out

The Back Creek and Little Annemessex portions may be more exposed or shallow than the interior waterway; do not assume the entire loop has the same conditions.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Start and finish at the documented marina soft launch.
  • The Back Creek and Little Annemessex portions may be more exposed or shallow than the interior waterway; do not assume the entire loop has the same conditions.
  • Follow two-way signs and turn back while the marked channel, tide, and daylight margin remain clear.

Watch for

  • USGS 01485755 Little Annemessex tidal-stage proxy and trend
  • wind direction, wave action, tide, shallow channels, marsh vegetation, thunderstorms, cold water, and daylight
  • park sunrise/sunset, launch congestion, boat ramp versus soft-launch rules, marked-route signs, backcountry permits, and campsite reservations
  • Back Creek turns, Little Annemessex exposure, shallow marsh exits, and return-route signs

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.

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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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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 corridorOfficial Janes Island Black Trail, approximately 3.5 miles through Back Creek and Little Annemessex River

    The DNR guide names the interior serpentine waterway, Back Creek, Little Annemessex River, and marina return.

    Source

  • Authoritative public accessJanes Island State Park marina and adjacent non-motorized soft launch; start and finish for all seven marked water trails

    Maryland DNR publishes exact marina and soft-launch coordinates and states that all seven water trails begin and end there.

    Source

  • Proxy tidal evidenceUSGS 01485755 Little Annemessex River at Crisfield tidal-stage station

    The station is a nearby tidal-stage planning proxy rather than route-local discharge or safe-depth certification; combine it with tide prediction, wind, wave action, and actual depth.

    Source

  • Camping postureJanes Island mainland campground and permitted primitive backcountry sites

    The park publishes mainland campsites and backcountry landing/permit requirements; camping is not implied by a route launch.

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01485755, Little Annemessex River at Crisfield, 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 Janes Island tide, wind, water level, 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

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

More on Janes Island State Park Water Trails

All 7
Janes Island Marina Blue TrailSomerset County / Southern Eastern Shore MarylandEasy · Approximately 2.5 miles round trip from the Janes Island marina soft launchJanes Island Marina Brown TrailSomerset County / Southern Eastern Shore MarylandHard · Approximately 12.5 miles one way from the Janes Island marina around the islandJanes Island Marina Green TrailSomerset County / Southern Eastern Shore MarylandModerate · Approximately 6.25 miles round trip from the Janes Island marina soft launchJanes Island Marina Red TrailSomerset County / Southern Eastern Shore MarylandModerate · Approximately 4 miles round trip from the Janes Island marina soft launch

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Smith Island Water TrailsTylerton to Ewell through the Back Route · about 10 straight-line mi awayModerate · Marked one-way Back Route; the guide reports Smith Island trails from 1 to 4.4 miles and the current map controls exact mileageSmith Island Water TrailsTylerton village and Merlin’s Gut loop · about 10 straight-line mi awayModerate · Marked Tylerton Loop; the guide reports Smith Island trails from 1 to 4.4 miles and the current map controls exact mileageSmith Island Water TrailsTylerton to Jugglin’s Creek and the forested hummocks · about 10 straight-line mi awayModerate · Marked Jugglin’s Creek route; the guide reports Smith Island trails from 1 to 4.4 miles and the current map controls exact mileageSmith Island Water TrailsTylerton through Fishing Creek and return · about 10 straight-line mi awayModerate · Marked Fishing Creek route; the guide reports Smith Island trails from 1 to 4.4 miles and the current map controls exact mileage

Quick answers

Janes Island State Park Water Trails paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Janes Island Marina Black Trail route on the Janes Island State Park 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 Janes Island Marina Black Trail route on the Janes Island State Park Water Trails start and end?

This route starts at Janes Island State Park marina soft launch and ends at Janes Island State Park marina soft launch (return), Approximately 3.5 miles round trip from the Janes Island marina soft launch on the water.

Is the Janes Island Marina Black Trail route on the Janes Island State Park 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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