Typical tree cover in the middle Patuxent near Queen Anne in Prince George's County

The Patuxent is rich in culture, folklore and bio-diversity. Legend has it that "Patuxent" is an Algonquin word that means water rushing over smooth stones. The river is usually placid with a tree lined canopy in the upper and middle section, gradually broadening to over 2.5 miles wide in the southern reaches. The river has a central role in the war of 1812 as the site of battles between the fledgling United States Navy Chesapeake Bay Flotilla and the invading forces of the Royal Navy. It affords many historic destinations, camp sites, archeological treasures and places of uncommon beauty, scenery and wildlife. Some refer to the Patuxent as Chesapeake Bay in miniature because it offers a bit of nearly every type of terrain and conditions found throughout the tidal Chesapeake Bay.

The Patuxent is under siege by the usual suspects in the Chesapeake Bay continuum of decline. Running through 7 Maryland counties for 110 miles, land use, real estate development, nutrient runoff, agricultural practices, neglect, wastewater treatment plants and related impairments plague the river. Litigation in the 1970’s was instrumental in making strides to restore the vitality of the river. Urbanization and human habitation has had a noticeable impact since. In places, there are small “rips” and archeological remnants from over 200 years of development along the river. Dams, bridges, railway trestles. The northern portions of the Patuxent Paddle path is a greenway that runs through heavily urbanizing sections of Montgomery, Anne Arundel and Prince George’s County. The Greenway is quiet, and lush in places.

Fallen trees and snags in the non navigable areas near Laurel, MD

Presently, the river becomes progressively more navigable the further south you go. Two large drinking water reservoirs dominate the north of the river (Montgomery & Howard Counties). The upper sections near Laurel and the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge are heavily snagged and filled in sediment. The middle areas near and below route #50 have portions that are still navigable by small boats (Anne Arundel and Prince George's Counties). The lower sections below Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary remain navigable by larger boats (Charles, Calvert & St. Mary's Counties).

The Patuxent remains tidal up to Route 50, about half it's overall length. Tide chart brochures are available from Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, M-NCPPC. The upper areas of the Patuxent near Laurel and the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge are heavily snagged with downfalls and trees. The Riverkeeper is presently organizing a volunteer work crew that works with the Maryland Conservation Corps and others in order to clear snags from Governor’s bridge down to Hill’s Bridge. The eventual plan is to extend the paddle trail northward above route 50 (where feasable) and into regions that have long been considered impassable. Some of the areas between Laurel and Crofton are bound by the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge.

Waterman Irving Chappelier checks his eel pots near Benedict, MD

Access to the lands of the Refuge are protected and the public is not permitted to enter the lands of the preserve from the River. This policy protects sensitive experiments and the preservation mission of the National Refuge. The Patuxent Riverkeeper supports the protection of the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge from unauthorized encroachment by the public. River paddlers in those areas must stay on the river or in the floodplain areas only!

The Patuxent River Commission and the Riverkeeper have begun preparation of a new paddle path web site at: www.Patuxentwatertrail.org. Once complete, the web site will have mapping, history, suggested itineraries and listings of paddle friendly resources to help citizens gain more value out of the paddle trail.

The Patuxent Riverkeeper offers reasonably priced tours of portions of the Patuxent watershed by kayak and canoe. Fees from tours are used to support the work of the Riverkeeper organization. We offer scenic excursions and "sustainability tours" which stress whole foods and sustainability in the watershed. See our Paddle Tours for more information.