Visitors on the banks near Governor's Bridge

Governor's Bridge is the site of a newly installed kayak launch slated for readiness in Spring of 2006. This section of river was recently cleared of snags by the MD Conservation Corps and is an excellent stretch for novice paddlers due to its shallow depths and easy launching. The tree lined banks have an excellent foot path due to the previous use by mules that once hauled barges along this section of river during the 1800's. The region is scenic and peaceful with occasional salt marshes and archeological relic along the water trail.

Historic Queen Anne Bridge

Queen Anne Bridge is a nationally registered historic site. It is a single span truss bridge across the Patuxent River between Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties. It dates from the 1800's and is one of the last remaining two of it kind in America. It is not an ideal launch point for paddlers due to the muddy banks. Nonetheless, it an excellent landmark and waypoint for folks paddling up or downstream between Governor's Bridge and Queen Anne Bridge

Mt. Calvert overlooks the Patuxent at the juncture with the Western Branch

The entrance to Western Branch is marked by a wind-swept hillside with a antebellum plantation overlooking the Creek called Mt. Calvert. The mansion is now operated as a historic destination by M-NCPPC and houses an informative museum covering 10,000 years of history on the Patuxent, ongoing archeological digs and has a dockside picnic area. The sight lines are vast in this area and there are naturalist areas on the Anne Arundel County side of the river, natural trails, birding observation areas and rice paddies. There is a WSSC owned wastewater plant located upstream of the convergence of Western Branch and the main stem.

Cattails in the Jug Bay wetlands

Jug Bay is a wide shallow area on the Patuxent River. Two parks surround Jug Bay operated by the park agencies of Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties. The wind swept flats of the area are classic Chesapeake Bay lowlands with Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle and Osprey nesting grounds. Side creeks offer placid paddling and there are striking vistas at nearly every turn in the river. Patuxent River Park, on the Prince George's side of the river has a visitor's center and boat launch at Jackson's Landing. Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, on the Anne Arundel side has a visitor's center, hiking trails and offers guided canoe trips.

The Chalk Point coal burning power Plant near Benedict, MD

This creek is near Benedict, MD and located next to the Mirant power plant. It features one of two heron rookeries located on this section of the Patuxent. It is also next to Eagle Harbor which is the oldest incorporated African American town in the nation. Eagle Harbor residents once made their living from crabs and fish of the Patuxent but the town has evolved into a peaceful waterside retirement community with a stunning view of the river. There are beachheads and sandbars and other places on this route to stop for lunch and explore. Motorized river traffic is more abundant in this section.