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Maryland | Somerset County / Lower Eastern Shore Maryland

Smith Island Water TrailsTylerton village and Merlin’s Gut loop

A marked loop around Tylerton through Merlin’s Gut and the village working waterfront.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceMarked Tylerton Loop; the guide reports Smith Island trails from 1 to 4.4 miles and the current map controls exact mileage
DifficultyModerate
Typical time1–3 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 distanceMarked Tylerton Loop; the guide reports Smith Island trails from 1 to 4.4 miles and the current map controls exact mileageTylerton village and Merlin’s Gut 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 Tylerton public ramp/soft launch after coordinating ferry arrival and confirming the same-day weather and tide window.
PermitsCheck posted rulesSmith Island is water-access only. Confirm the current ferry schedule and kayak carriage policy, public Tylerton/Ewell launch rules, Somerset County operating conditions, Maryland boating/PFD requirements, marine forecast, tide, and any Martin National Wildlife Refuge or hunting notices. No unreserved marsh camping is claimed.
CampingOptions nearbyUse separately arranged island lodging or a mainland basecamp. No overnight marsh, dock, or village-launch 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

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A marked loop around Tylerton through Merlin’s Gut and the village working waterfront.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Tylerton public boat ramp and adjacent soft launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

The public access record documents a wood ramp with adjacent soft launching but no parking; coordinate ferry unloading and gear handling in advance.

Finish

Take-out

Tylerton public boat ramp return
Open mapDirections to take-out

The marked loop is a water route, not permission to beach on private village frontage or marsh.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The public access record documents a wood ramp with adjacent soft launching but no parking; coordinate ferry unloading and gear handling in advance.
  • The marked loop is a water route, not permission to beach on private village frontage or marsh.
  • Return to Tylerton before the ferry, tide, or daylight window closes.

Watch for

  • USGS 01485755 Crisfield tidal-stage proxy and current tide forecast
  • wind direction, waves, tide, shallow guts, mud, narrow turns, thunderstorms, cold water, and open Chesapeake exposure
  • ferry schedule and kayak carriage, Tylerton/Ewell public launch capacity, working waterfront traffic, private shoreline, Martin National Wildlife Refuge, and daylight return
  • Merlin’s Gut, Tylerton working waterfront, shallow bends, private docks, local boat traffic, tide, and daylight

Plan this paddle

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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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.

  • Named moving-water corridorMaryland DNR/Smith Island paddler guide Smith Island Tylerton Loop, Marked Tylerton Loop; the guide reports Smith Island trails from 1 to 4.4 miles and the current map controls exact mileage

    The official Maryland DNR regional page and the maintained Smith Island paddler guide identify seven marked route options, their village/marsh settings, and the 1–4.4-mile guide range without requiring an invented route mileage.

    Source

  • Authoritative public accessTylerton public boat ramp and adjacent soft launch and Tylerton public boat ramp return

    The current Maryland DNR public-water-access layer identifies the Tylerton and Ewell public launch facilities. They are water-access-only sites with no road-based parking; coordinates are on/near-water anchors and ferry/launch conditions must be confirmed.

    Source

  • Proxy flow and tidal evidenceUSGS 01485755 Little Annemessex River at Crisfield, clearly labeled tidal-stage proxy

    The Crisfield station is nearby regional tidal context, not a Smith Island discharge or safe-depth cutoff. Use current tide, marine forecast, observed channel depth, marked map, and daylight.

    Source

  • Camping postureUse separately arranged island lodging or a mainland basecamp. No overnight marsh, dock, or village-launch camping is claimed.

    Island lodging or mainland basecamp must be arranged separately; no unreserved marsh, dock, hummock, or refuge camping is implied.

    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 tidal-marsh context; it does not certify Smith Island tide, wind, depth, access, or route hazards.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

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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 / Lower Eastern Shore MarylandJump to routes in this region.

More on Smith Island Water Trails

All 7
Ewell to Swan Island and returnSomerset County / Lower Eastern Shore MarylandModerate · Marked Swan Island route; the guide reports Smith Island trails from 1 to 4.4 miles and the current map controls exact mileageEwell village and Goat Island loopSomerset County / Lower Eastern Shore MarylandModerate · Marked Ewell Loop; the guide reports Smith Island trails from 1 to 4.4 miles and the current map controls exact mileageEwell, Rhodes Point, and Tylerton through Doctor’s GutSomerset County / Lower Eastern Shore MarylandModerate · Marked Doctor’s Gut route; the guide reports Smith Island trails from 1 to 4.4 miles and the current map controls exact mileageTylerton through Fishing Creek and returnSomerset County / Lower Eastern Shore MarylandModerate · Marked Fishing Creek route; the guide reports Smith Island trails from 1 to 4.4 miles and the current map controls exact mileage

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Janes Island State Park Water TrailsJanes Island Marina short trail loop · about 10 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 1.25 miles round trip from the Janes Island marina soft launchJanes Island State Park Water TrailsJanes Island Marina Yellow Trail · about 10 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 2.5 miles round trip from the Janes Island marina soft launchJanes Island State Park Water TrailsJanes Island Marina Blue Trail · about 10 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 2.5 miles round trip from the Janes Island marina soft launchJanes Island State Park Water TrailsJanes Island Marina Black Trail · about 10 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 3.5 miles round trip from the Janes Island marina soft launch

Quick answers

Smith Island Water Trails paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Tylerton village and Merlin’s Gut loop route on the Smith Island 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 Tylerton village and Merlin’s Gut loop route on the Smith Island Water Trails start and end?

This route starts at Tylerton public boat ramp and adjacent soft launch and ends at Tylerton public boat ramp return, Marked Tylerton Loop; the guide reports Smith Island trails from 1 to 4.4 miles and the current map controls exact mileage on the water.

Is the Tylerton village and Merlin’s Gut loop route on the Smith Island 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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