Join the Natural History Society of Maryland for a weekend exploration of one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most remarkable and least understood ecosystems, the bald cypress swamps of the Delmarva Peninsula. Maryland and Delaware lie at the northern edge of the bald cypress’s natural range, making these forests an exceptionally rare feature of our region. While bald cypress is widely planted throughout Maryland, naturally occurring cypress swamps are found only in a handful of places on the southern Coastal Plain, where they have persisted for thousands of years.
Bald cypress wetlands are a distinctive feature of the Chesapeake watershed. In these forested swamps, bald cypress trees grow along dark, tannin-stained blackwater streams, with broad trunks supported by buttressing and specialized root structures known as “knees” that extend above the water’s surface. Unlike most conifers, bald cypress shed their soft needles each fall in a brilliant display of gold before standing bare through winter. These swamps support an extraordinary diversity of life, from swamp tupelo, sweetbay magnolia, and royal fern to rare amphibians, migratory birds, and countless wetland species adapted to this unique habitat.
Our home base will be Trap Pond State Park, a 3,653-acre park centered around one of the northernmost natural stands of bald cypress trees in the United States. With nearly nine miles of water trails and more than 12 miles of hiking trails, the park offers a unique opportunity to explore a landscape shaped by both natural processes and human history.
We will be camping at a primitive group site with restrooms and a water spigot located within a stone’s throw. The site includes picnic tables, a large fire ring, and plenty of room to set up tents. If sleeping outdoors isn’t your thing, you are welcome to attend and book your stay anywhere nearby.
Throughout the weekend, we will explore these remarkable ecosystems from multiple perspectives, experiencing the cypress swamps by paddle, pontoon, and land.
Weekend Exploration Plan:
- Friday evening, we will settle into our group campsite at Trap Pond State Park and enjoy a private ranger-led pontoon tour of Trap Pond, learning more about the park’s history and the role of cypress swamps in this landscape.
- Saturday morning we’ll paddle the quiet waters of Nassawango Creek with Chase from The Nature Conservancy, exploring one of Maryland’s finest remaining bald cypress swamps. This remarkable waterway winds through a forest of towering bald cypress and black gum trees, where massive trunks, shaded waters, and the sounds of the swamp create an unforgettable paddling experience.
- That afternoon, we will enjoy a guided hike highlighting the significance of biodiversity on the Delmarva Peninsula.
- As the sun sets, we will return to the water for a night paddle and watch the Harvest Moon rise over Trap Pond, experiencing this unique landscape from the natural light of night.
- We’ll conclude the weekend with a guided off-road tour of the Great Cypress Swamp alongside Delaware Wild Lands, exploring one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most significant freshwater wetlands. We’ll caravan through the property in our own high-clearance vehicles, following a network of dirt roads with frequent stops to explore restoration sites, discuss efforts to restore the swamp’s natural hydrology, and keep an eye out for wildlife. Along the way, we’ll admire towering bald cypress with their distinctive knees, black tupelo trees rising from tannin-dark waters, vernal pools shaded by swamp cottonwoods, and remnant stands of Atlantic white cedar that offer a glimpse of what this remarkable forest once looked like.
Whether you are drawn by the almost ancient forests, blackwater paddling, or the natural history of the Delmarva Peninsula, this immersive weekend offers a rare opportunity to experience one of the most distinctive and ecologically significant landscapes in our region.
This program is designed for adults, ages 18 and above. Specific details about locations and timing will be included in the registration email.
All events are held rain or shine. If any event is canceled due to severe weather, you will receive an email or text. If you do not receive a weather-related email, the trip will proceed as planned.
Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made 14 or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within 14 days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $25 or less are non-refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.
Registration
Levels:-
NHSM Member: $100
Guests should be members also. - Non Member: $125
Location
Delaware, Frankford, Great Cypress Swamp, Nassawango Creek Preserve, Trap Pond State Park
