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Maryland | Charles County / Southern Maryland

Charles County Water TrailsChapel Point State Park to Port Tobacco Marina

A one-way tidal paddle from Chapel Point’s sand launch to a prearranged private-marina landing at Port Tobacco, following the county trail in reverse.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 2.5 miles one way between Chapel Point and Port Tobacco Marina
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeEstimated 2–5 hours
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 2.5 miles one way between Chapel Point and Port Tobacco MarinaChapel Point State Park to Port Tobacco Marina
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 shuttleConfirm kayak landing permission, parking, fees and operating hours directly with Port Tobacco Marina before staging there. Arrange a one-way shuttle to Chapel Point, checking the county entry gate and park hours. Do not launch without an agreed take-out.
PermitsCheck posted rulesChapel Point is managed by Charles County. DNR’s current notice lists a credit-card-only $5 vehicle gate charge from May 4, 2026; State Park Pass holders must obtain an entry code from the county. Confirm current terms. Port Tobacco Marina is private and needs separate landing permission.
CampingOptions nearbyThe 2014 brochure describes seasonal permit camping at Chapel Point, but current availability must be confirmed with Charles County. Do not rely on an unverified marina campground or camp on private shoreline.
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 one-way tidal paddle from Chapel Point’s sand launch to a prearranged private-marina landing at Port Tobacco, following the county trail in reverse.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Chapel Point State Park sand launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

Chapel Point’s small sand launch can have almost no beach at high tide; inspect the entry and exit before committing.

Finish

Take-out

Port Tobacco Marina fee-controlled access
Open mapDirections to take-out

The marina coordinate comes from the 2014 county guide and marks the facility area, not an agreed kayak landing. The current owner website confirms the business and address, not public kayak take-out rights.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Chapel Point’s small sand launch can have almost no beach at high tide; inspect the entry and exit before committing.
  • The marina coordinate comes from the 2014 county guide and marks the facility area, not an agreed kayak landing. The current owner website confirms the business and address, not public kayak take-out rights.
  • The county brochure runs marina-to-Chapel Point. This guide reverses that direction and requires its own tide, wind and shuttle plan. Goose Creek and Goose Bay Marina are separate options.

Watch for

  • USGS 01660795 regional context; local Port Tobacco tide, wind and depth
  • Chapel Point gate and beach, private-marina permission, motor traffic, waterfowl blinds and shuttle timing

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

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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

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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 2.5 miles one way between Chapel Point and Port Tobacco Marina

    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 limitsChapel Point State Park sand launch to Port Tobacco Marina fee-controlled access

    DNR GIS feature 508 identifies Chapel Point’s sand-launch site. Current DNR pages confirm small-craft access, high-tide beach loss and county gate management. The marina remains a private facility whose kayak take-out must be agreed directly.

    Source

  • Current access managementCheck the named manager before staging

    Chapel Point is managed by Charles County. DNR’s current notice lists a credit-card-only $5 vehicle gate charge from May 4, 2026; State Park Pass holders must obtain an entry code from the county. Confirm current terms. Port Tobacco Marina is private and needs separate landing permission.

    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.

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Keep exploring

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Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

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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
Friendship Landing: Church Creek and Hilltop Fork optionsCharles County / Southern MarylandModerate · Approximately 2 miles round trip to Church Creek or 4 miles round trip to Hilltop ForkMattingly Park to Smallwood State ParkCharles County / Southern MarylandModerate · Approximately 4.5 miles downstream from Mattingly Park to Smallwood State ParkPurse area beach to Mallows Bay ParkCharles County / Southern MarylandModerate · Approximately 3 miles one way between Purse and Mallows Bay

Nearby routes within 75 miles

St. Mary’s County Water TrailsWicomico Shores Landing to Bushwood Wharf · about 11 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 8 miles one way, with Chaptico Wharf at approximately 5 miles as an intermediate public endpointCalvert County Water TrailsHallowing Point to Caney Creek and Benedict Community Park · about 20 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 4 miles round trip into Caney Creek; the Hallowing Point to Benedict crossing is just over 1 mile round tripCalvert County Water TrailsKings Landing Park to Cocktown Creek loop · about 22 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 3 miles round trip, shorter turnarounds permittedSt. Mary’s County Water TrailsPort of Leonardtown Park to Abell’s Wharf · about 23 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 6 miles one way; the guide also identifies Leonardtown Wharf and Camp Calvert as intermediate public access points

Quick answers

Charles County Water Trails paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Chapel Point State Park to Port Tobacco Marina 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 Chapel Point State Park to Port Tobacco Marina route on the Charles County Water Trails start and end?

This route starts at Chapel Point State Park sand launch and ends at Port Tobacco Marina fee-controlled access, Approximately 2.5 miles one way between Chapel Point and Port Tobacco Marina on the water.

Is the Chapel Point State Park to Port Tobacco Marina 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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