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Maryland | Charles County / Southern Maryland

Charles County Water TrailsPurse area beach to Mallows Bay Park

An experienced-paddler shoreline trip on the open Lower Potomac, from the carry-in Purse beach area to the road-accessible paddle launch at Mallows Bay Park.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 3 miles one way between Purse and Mallows Bay
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeEstimated 2–5 hours on the water
ShuttleCar 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 miles one way between Purse and Mallows BayPurse area beach to Mallows Bay Park
DifficultymoderateTidal water, wind and motorboat wakes control exposure. Sheltered creeks and open Potomac water require different skills; plan for the named trail and inspect the actual launch and landing.
ShuttleCar shuttleArrange a one-way vehicle shuttle and stage the Mallows Bay Park take-out at 1440 Wilson Landing Road before carrying to Purse. Mallows is road-accessible. This three-mile itinerary does not include a paddle back to Purse; add return mileage only with a separate tide, wind and daylight plan.
PermitsCheck posted rulesCheck Nanjemoy WMA access and hunting notices for Purse and county/sanctuary notices for Mallows. Groups of 10 or more should pre-register with Charles County at least two weeks ahead. Respect private shoreline and protected wrecks.
CampingDay tripPlan this as a day trip with separately arranged lodging or permitted camping. Neither the beach entry nor wreck islands grant overnight camping rights.
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

An experienced-paddler shoreline trip on the open Lower Potomac, from the carry-in Purse beach area to the road-accessible paddle launch at Mallows Bay Park.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Purse area beach access, Nanjemoy WMA
Open mapDirections to put-in

Purse is a carry-in beach, not a vehicle ramp. The 2014 brochure describes a quarter-mile carry; DNR’s access inventory describes a half-mile portage. Scout the actual path and beach before staging boats.

Finish

Take-out

Mallows Bay Park floating soft launch
Open mapDirections to take-out

The Purse point is a published access-area anchor, not a surveyed beach edge, parking pin or continuous on-water track. Carry distance is separate from paddle mileage.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Purse is a carry-in beach, not a vehicle ramp. The 2014 brochure describes a quarter-mile carry; DNR’s access inventory describes a half-mile portage. Scout the actual path and beach before staging boats.
  • The Purse point is a published access-area anchor, not a surveyed beach edge, parking pin or continuous on-water track. Carry distance is separate from paddle mileage.
  • Mallows has a public road, boat ramp and separate floating paddle launch. Confirm current hours, parking, closures and any group registration.
  • The county brochure presents Mallows-to-Purse; this reverse itinerary needs its own wind, tide and shuttle plan.

Watch for

  • USGS 01660795 regional Potomac context; local tide, marine forecast and waves
  • Purse carry and beach, driftwood, Mallows launch availability, submerged wrecks and shuttle daylight

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

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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.

  • Published water-trail itineraryApproximately 3 miles one way between Purse and Mallows Bay

    Charles County’s 2014 second edition names this trail and its distance or options. Trip direction and return logistics are stated separately; the brochure is not a current opening notice.

    Source

  • Access sites and limitsPurse area beach access, Nanjemoy WMA to Mallows Bay Park floating soft launch

    DNR GIS feature 259 identifies the Purse access area with a required wooded portage; feature 398 identifies the separate Mallows floating soft launch. NOAA and the current county page confirm road access at Mallows.

    Source

  • Current access managementCheck the named manager before staging

    Check Nanjemoy WMA access and hunting notices for Purse and county/sanctuary notices for Mallows. Groups of 10 or more should pre-register with Charles County at least two weeks ahead. Respect private shoreline and protected wrecks.

    Source

  • Station contextUSGS 01660795 near Newburg is regional Potomac context, not a local tide, safe-depth or paddling cutoff.

    No numerical local paddling threshold is published for this trail. Tide, wind, current, depth and observed access control the plan.

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01660795, Potomac River near Newburg, 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

    Regional Maryland river photograph; it does not depict or verify this tidal trail, its access or current 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

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Maryland route guideBrowse every tracked Maryland route.Charles County / Southern MarylandJump to routes in this region.

More on Charles County Water Trails

All 4
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Nearby routes within 75 miles

Rappahannock RiverMotts Run to Old Mill Park, Fredericksburg · about 17 straight-line mi awayHard · 4.5 river miles to Old Mill Park (American Whitewater reach continues to 6.8 miles with optional City Docks takeout)St. Mary’s County Water TrailsWicomico Shores Landing to Bushwood Wharf · about 22 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 8 miles one way, with Chaptico Wharf at approximately 5 miles as an intermediate public endpointRappahannock RiverRector Tract to Kelly's Ford · about 31 straight-line mi awayModerate · 4.6 river milesCalvert County Water TrailsHallowing Point to Caney Creek and Benedict Community Park · about 32 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 4 miles round trip into Caney Creek; the Hallowing Point to Benedict crossing is just over 1 mile round trip

Quick answers

Charles County Water Trails paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Purse area beach to Mallows Bay Park route on the Charles 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 Purse area beach to Mallows Bay Park route on the Charles County Water Trails start and end?

This route starts at Purse area beach access, Nanjemoy WMA and ends at Mallows Bay Park floating soft launch, Approximately 3 miles one way between Purse and Mallows Bay on the water.

Is the Purse area beach to Mallows Bay Park route on the Charles 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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