Skipton Creek/Mill Creek in Maryland

Trip Overview

Skipton Creek area is excellent offering both a quite creek that meanders through a marsh (Mill Creek) as sell as open tidal waters. The launch point is much less congested that the one at Wye Landing which is overcrowded due to large number boats that are launched from that site for fishing on the Wye. The launch is owned by Talbot County Dept. of Parks & Recreation an excellent place from which to launch canoes/kayaks.

The mouth (N 38 53.398' W 076 04.768') of Mill Creek is only 0.4 miles west of the launch site and is well worth exploring. Lower end of Mill Creek has some houses (and a few noisy dogs) with boat docks but only for the fist 300-400 yards. Then only the trees can be seen along the banks of the creek. The creek narrows after about 0.9 mile and becomes more marsh-like with ample aquatic vegetation and abundant wildlife. The creek meanders back and forth for approximately another 0.9 mile to within a few hundred yards of Rt. 662. The creek was blocked at this point by a downed tree (N 38 54.517' W 076 04.423') and was just wide enough to turn my 16ft Old Town "Camper" around without backing up. This is a very scenic water trail and I highly recommend it. Just wish it were longer.

Plant Life:
Many oak, hickory, beech, black gum, dogwood, poplar. There is ample wild rice, cattail, pickerel weed and an occasional cardinal flower.

Wildlife Seen:
Great Blue Heron, osprey, beaver, kingfisher, Red-winged blackbird and hoards of frogs.

Accommodations:

Boat ramp, short dock and ample parking.

Directions:

Take Route 50 East from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Follow Route 50 to Skipton Landing Road. It is on right side of Rt. 50 approximately 3.1 miles south of Route 404. Follow Skipton Landing Road approximately mile to end.

Resources:

Delorme Street Atlas, ADC Northern Chesapeake Bay Chart, GPS or compass are a good idea although not needed.