Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Motorized Boating

The waters in and around the refuge can be accessed at several locations managed by the refuge, Dorchester County Highway Dept., and Maryland DNR. Be aware that navigation can be difficult, especially in the Blackwater River, due to submerged mudflats, a meandering unmarked channel, and shallow water tidal changes. Much of the open water on the Blackwater River is not suitable for water-cooled motors. This area is best suited for canoes or kayaks. If you bring a motorized boat, we suggest using small outboards or mud motors, or electric trolling motors. A map of the refuge's water trails can be found below.

The refuge has a soft launch and parking area on the north side of the Route 335 Bridge at the Blackwater River. Boats can be launched by hand only. Boats can be trailered to the site (there are parking spaces available for trailers), but trailers are not allowed on the launch. Small power boats can be launched here if they are small enough to be carried to the launch. This launch is only open sunrise to sunset.

ALERT: 2023-24 waterfowl hunting dates for the Blackwater River.

There is also a launch on Key Wallace Drive directly adjacent to the Little Blackwater River Bridge. Vehicles are only allowed to park temporarily while loading or unloading watercraft. This launch is closed during the seasonal refuge waters closure Oct. 1^st - March 31^st.

There are two public boat ramps managed by Dorchester County Highway Dept.; Smithville Bridge ramp located at Beaverdam Creek on Smithville Road (west side of refuge), and the Shorters Wharf ramp located at the Blackwater River on Maple Dam Road (southeast side of refuge). Boats can be trailer-launched at both of these sites. 

Maryland DNR manages the Bespitch Ferry Boat Ramp at the Transquaking River on Bespitch Ferry Road (east of the refuge), which has facilities for trailer-launching boats. Maryland DNR also manages a soft launch for the upper Little Blackwater River off of Egypt Road (north of refuge). Be aware that this launch is small, located down a rough dirt road, and closed during the entire Maryland waterfowl season.

There is no special permit required to launch private boats in Dorchester County.

For a map and details of water access sites in Maryland, check out this Maryland DNR web site.

Wayfinding maps for Blackwater’s water trails are now available using the AVENZA MAPS smartphone app. This free app uses your phone’s GPS to find your location, and works without a signal from your carrier. It is available for Apple and Android devices. After installing the app on your phone, download the Blackwater Avenza Paddling Map below to use with the app while paddling the refuge's water trails.