Who needs a motor when you’ve got wisdom and a paddle?
Take a peaceful paddle through the rich history and natural beauty of the Chesapeake Bay and its many tributaries. Get a front row seat to explore the meeting place of freshwater and saltwater– home to a wide variety of plants, fish, and wildlife. Together, we’ll learn about Maryland’s diverse ecosystem, its deep historical roots, and the important conservation efforts underway to protect it for future generations.
Join us in experiencing one of the largest estuaries in the world, at a pace that lets you take it all in.
Each trip is rated for beginner, intermediate, or advanced paddle levels. Please see the bottom of this page to find out your level.
“There’s magic in the feel of a paddle and the movement of a canoe, a magic compounded of distance, adventure, and solitude, and peace.”
Sigurd F. Olson, The Singing Wilderness, 1956
Stay tuned for our 2026 Canoe Paddle schedule!
Visit our Registration Page to sign-up
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers must be able to help team-lift canoes and have paddling experience. We are also in need of drivers that can haul a canoe trailer with their vehicle to the trip locations. Drivers will be compensated monetarily and with paddle time.
If interested, please complete the Canoe Volunteer Interest Form. Contact Bex Lyons at blyons@marylandnature.org with any questions.
Paddle Levels
Beginner paddlers have little to no prior canoeing experience. They are comfortable holding a paddle and sitting in a canoe for extended periods, with some basic familiarity in canoe maneuvering but limited hands-on experience.
Intermediate Paddlers have some on-water experience and are comfortable navigating light rapids and moving water. They can propel the canoe forward and backward with ease, execute turns and quick stops, and maneuver safely around hazards.
Advanced Paddlers are highly comfortable on the water and capable of navigating vigorous rapids and high water conditions. In addition to performing all intermediate-level maneuvers, they can execute advanced strokes and perform rescues.