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See all 6 routes on Tilghman Island and Bay Hundred Water Trails

Maryland | Talbot County / Eastern Shore Maryland

Tilghman Island and Bay Hundred Water TrailsLowes Wharf to Cabin Cove loop

The official Lowes Wharf to Cabin Cove loop is the shorter, more sheltered alternative to the Bayshore-to-Lowes open-water route.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 1.82 miles round trip from Lowes Wharf through Cabin Cove
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

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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 1.82 miles round trip from Lowes Wharf through Cabin CoveLowes Wharf to Cabin Cove 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 Lowes Wharf after confirming county permit, access hours, and waterline.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current Talbot County landing permits, hours, parking, launch/carry rules, Maryland boating/PFD requirements, tide and marine forecasts, and posted closures. The official guide prohibits camping at public landings; no route camping is claimed.
CampingDay tripNo camping is permitted at Talbot County public landings. Use nearby lodging or a separately confirmed campground; do not treat private shoreline or marsh 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.

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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

The official Lowes Wharf to Cabin Cove loop is the shorter, more sheltered alternative to the Bayshore-to-Lowes open-water route.

Access map

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Finish

Take-out

Lowes Wharf return
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The route remains tidal and surrounded by private shorelines; no unsanctioned bailout is implied.

Road shuttle

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Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Lowes Wharf requires lowering vessels over a bulkhead and can be shallow.
  • The route remains tidal and surrounded by private shorelines; no unsanctioned bailout is implied.
  • Do not silently extend the sheltered loop into the open Chesapeake route.

Watch for

  • USGS 01491000 Choptank watershed-context proxy and trend
  • wind, waves, wake, tide, current, shallow water, sandbars, bridge/drawbridge traffic, commercial watermen, thunderstorms, and cold water
  • Talbot County permits, 11 p.m.–4 a.m. landing closures, limited parking/carries, private property, and hard endpoint access
  • Lowes Wharf bulkhead, Cabin Cove, shallow channels, private shoreline, and return depth

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

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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 corridorTalbot County/DNR Chesapeake Bay Trail Lowes Wharf Cabin Cove loop, Approximately 1.82 miles round trip from Lowes Wharf through Cabin Cove

    The official Talbot County/DNR water-trail guide names the corridor, route option, distance, difficulty, public endpoints, and wind/tide posture.

    Source

  • Authoritative public accessLowes Wharf to Lowes Wharf return

    The official guide gives the managed public landing, GPS, launch type, permit/hours, parking, and carry posture for the named endpoints.

    Source

  • Proxy flow and tidal evidenceUSGS 01491000 Choptank River near Greensboro watershed-context proxy

    This station is not local to every Talbot route and no numeric safe-depth cutoff is claimed. Use current tide, wind, observed depth, charts, and endpoint conditions.

    Source

  • Camping postureNearby basecamp only

    The Talbot guide states camping is prohibited at public landings; no on-route campsite is claimed.

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01491000, Choptank River near Greensboro, 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 moving-water context; it does not certify Talbot County tide, wind, depth, 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

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Maryland route guideBrowse every tracked Maryland route.Talbot County / Eastern Shore MarylandJump to routes in this region.

More on Tilghman Island and Bay Hundred Water Trails

All 6
Bayshore Road to Lowes WharfTalbot County / Eastern Shore MarylandHard · Approximately 3.33 miles round trip from Bayshore Road to Lowes WharfBlack Walnut Cove and Bar Neck shoreline loopTalbot County / Eastern Shore MarylandModerate · Approximately 3.5 miles round trip from Black Walnut Cove around the shorelineClaiborne Landing to Tilghman Creek LandingTalbot County / Eastern Shore MarylandHard · Approximately 5.2 miles one way from Claiborne Landing to Tilghman Creek LandingClaiborne Landing to Wade’s Point shoreline loopTalbot County / Eastern Shore MarylandHard · Approximately 3.5 miles round trip from Claiborne Landing to Wade’s Point

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Kent Island Water TrailsShipping Creek Landing to Romancoke Pier · about 10 straight-line mi awayHard · Approximately 3.6 miles one way from Shipping Creek Landing to Romancoke PierCalvert County Water TrailsMarina West at Kellam’s Park Fishing Creek loop · about 12 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 5.5 miles round trip along Fishing Creek, shorter turnarounds permittedChesapeake Bay Environmental Center Water TrailsCBEC dock Marshy Creek loop · about 14 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 1 mile mapped CBEC Marshy Creek water trail, same-launch returnChesapeake Bay Environmental Center Water TrailsCBEC dock Prospect Bay loop · about 14 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 2.8 miles mapped CBEC Prospect Bay water-trail setting, same-launch return

Quick answers

Tilghman Island and Bay Hundred Water Trails paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Lowes Wharf to Cabin Cove loop route on the Tilghman Island and Bay Hundred 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 Lowes Wharf to Cabin Cove loop route on the Tilghman Island and Bay Hundred Water Trails start and end?

This route starts at Lowes Wharf and ends at Lowes Wharf return, Approximately 1.82 miles round trip from Lowes Wharf through Cabin Cove on the water.

Is the Lowes Wharf to Cabin Cove loop route on the Tilghman Island and Bay Hundred 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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