10 Best Places to Paddle Board in Maryland (MD)

Discover the beauty of the East Coast as you glide through calm waters and breathtaking sceneries.

Find tranquility and adventure in the best places to paddle board in Maryland.

Join us in unveiling Maryland’s paddleboarding gems and get ready to make a splash in this beautiful state.

Table of Contents

1 Map
2 Where to Paddle Board in Maryland
3 FAQ

Map

Where to Paddle Board in Maryland

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Gunpowder Falls State Park

????️ ️Location Type: River
???? Access Point: Dundee Creek Marina (Google Maps)
???? Water, Currents & Wind: Calm river currents, protected from strong winds
Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
???? Wildlife Encounters: Blue herons, egrets, osprey, turtles
????️ Landmarks & Views: Tree-lined banks, natural beauty along the river
Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow park rules, avoid debris in water, respect wildlife

Gunpowder Falls State Park, located north of Baltimore, offers miles of beautiful, calm waters perfect for paddleboarding.

Explore the lush, tree-lined riverbanks and encounter a variety of wildlife as you navigate this serene waterway.

#2 Assateague Island National Seashore

????️ ️Location Type: Oceanfront
???? Access Point: Old Ferry Landing (Google Maps)
???? Water, Currents & Wind: Calm bayside water, ocean swells on seashore
Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
???? Wildlife Encounters: Wild horses, shorebirds, marine life
????️ Landmarks & Views: Sandy beaches, wetlands, coastal forests
Safety, Environment and Rules: Observe designated paddle zones, respect wildlife, know tidal patterns

Assateague Island National Seashore offers an unforgettable paddleboarding experience. Paddle along the calm bayside or tackle ocean swells on the seashore.

Witness the island’s famous wild horses and take in the beautiful, natural landscape of the area.

#3 Annapolis and Spa Creek

????️ ️Location Type: Bay
???? Access Point: Truxtun Park (Google Maps)
???? Water, Currents & Wind: Calm bay waters, occasional boat traffic
Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
???? Wildlife Encounters: Blue crabs, horseshoe crabs, osprey, herons
????️ ️Landmarks & Views: Annapolis skyline, historic sites, bustling harbor
Safety, Environment and Rules: Be cautious of boat traffic, follow local regulations

Annapolis and Spa Creek deliver a wonderful urban paddleboarding experience, offering stunning views of the historic city and surrounding waterways.

Navigate through the bustling harbor and admire the Annapolis skyline from your board, all while enjoying the calm bay waters.

#4 Deep Creek Lake

????️ ️Location Type: Lake
???? Access Point: Deep Creek Lake State Park (Google Maps)
???? Water, Currents & Wind: Mostly calm water, occasional boat traffic
Popular Seasons: Summer and Fall
???? Wildlife Encounters: Fish, ducks, deer
????️ Landmarks & Views: Forested shoreline, picturesque scenery
Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow local rules, be aware of boaters

Deep Creek Lake, located in Maryland’s western mountains, offers a tranquil paddleboarding setting.

Surrounded by lush forests and picturesque landscapes, this clear mountain lake provides a relaxing getaway from the usual hustle and bustle.

#5 Chesapeake Bay

????️ Location Type: Bay
???? Access Point: Sandy Point State Park (Google Maps)
???? Water, Currents & Wind: Calm to moderate bay waters, tidal influence
Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
???? Wildlife Encounters: Crabs, waterfowl, osprey
????️ ️Landmarks & Views: Chesapeake Bay Bridge, maritime landscapes
Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, follow local regulations

Chesapeake Bay boasts natural beauty and endless paddleboarding opportunities.

Paddle beneath the iconic Chesapeake Bay Bridge and explore the various tributaries and shoreline habitats rich in marine life.

#6 Ocean City

????️ ️Location Type: Oceanfront
???? Access Point: Ocean City Inlet Parking Lot (Google Maps)
???? Water, Currents & Wind: Ocean swells, bay on other side for calmer waters
Popular Seasons: Summer
???? Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, seabirds
????️ ️Landmarks & Views: Ocean City skyline, bustling beaches
Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for surfers, follow local regulations

Ocean City delivers an energetic paddleboarding experience along Maryland’s famous coastline.

Paddle amongst the Atlantic Ocean’s swells or opt for the calmer bay waters nearby. Enjoy the vibrant beachfront atmosphere and stunning views of the Ocean City skyline.

Here are four additional paddleboard spots in or very close to Maryland. If more spots come into our knowledge in the future, we will update this list.

#7 North Beach

????️ ️Location Type: Bay
???? Access Point: North Beach Public Beach (Google Maps)
???? Water, Currents & Wind: Calm bay waters, moderate current
Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
???? Wildlife Encounters: Sea birds, fish
????️ ️Landmarks & Views: North Beach Pier, scenic coastline
Safety, Environment, and Rules: Watch for swimmers, follow local regulations

North Beach provides a serene paddleboarding experience along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline.

Glide past the North Beach Pier and soak in the picturesque views as you paddle along this quaint coastal town’s calm waters.

#8 Rocky Gap State Park

????️ ️Location Type: Lake
???? Access Point: Rocky Gap State Park Beach (Google Maps)
???? Water, Currents & Wind: Calm lake waters, occasional wind
Popular Seasons: Summer and Fall
???? Wildlife Encounters: Fish, birds
????️ ️Landmarks & Views: Mountain backdrop, forested shoreline
Safety, Environment, and Rules: Follow park rules, be aware of other watercraft

Rocky Gap State Park, nestled in the mountains of Western Maryland, offers a tranquil paddleboarding setting on the calm waters of Lake Habeeb.

Surrounded by lush forests and a beautiful mountain backdrop, this peaceful lake setting is perfect for a relaxing paddleboard adventure.

#9 Cambridge on the Choptank River

????️ ️Location Type: River
???? Access Point: Great Marsh Park (Google Maps)
???? Water, Currents & Wind: Calm river waters, light current
Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
???? Wildlife Encounters: Birds, fish
????️ ️Landmarks & Views: Cambridge waterfront, scenic riverbanks
Safety, Environment, and Rules: Respect wildlife, follow local regulations

Cambridge on the Choptank River offers a picturesque paddleboarding experience through the calm waters of this Eastern Shore waterway.

Enjoy the scenic natural surroundings and Cambridge’s charming waterfront as you navigate this peaceful and historic river.

#10 Swallow Falls State Park

????️ ️Location Type: River
???? Access Point: Swallow Falls State Park (Google Maps)
???? Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate currents, some rapids
Popular Seasons: Summer and Fall
???? Wildlife Encounters: Birds, fish
????️ ️Landmarks & Views: Waterfalls, forested riverbanks
Safety, Environment, and Rules: Use caution in rapids, follow park rules

Swallow Falls State Park offers an exciting and scenic paddleboarding experience through the Youghiogheny River valley.

Paddle amidst stunning waterfalls and lush forested riverbanks. Take caution while navigating the rapids and enjoy exploring this unique natural environment.