Tuckahoe Creek in Maryland

Trip Overview

Tuckahoe Creek offers both a quite, forested creek and open tidal waters and is very scenic both upstream and down. The upstream portion takes you into Tuckahoe State Park and was scenic (once you get past town) quiet and shady. Once the river narrows to 40-50 feet in width it has almost total canopy closure. Very cool and shady. We were able to proceed approximately 2/3 of the way to Crouse Mill Road and were turned back due to downed trees and low water (drought of 2002). However it is still a decent trip and well worth seeing. Traveling down stream from the boat ramp the creek quickly widens to river dimensions. It is tidal and also very scenic with large expanses of aquatic vegetation and mud flats. We proceeded to below Stoney Point Road. This is county park property and is an excellent place from which to launch canoes/kayaks.

Trip was quiet, we passed only one small group of four canoes and one bass boat with two fisherman. Extremely relaxing trip. Next time I start at Stoney Point Road and head further down stream.

Plant Life:
Many oak, hickory, beech, dogwood, poplar. The northern section is loaded with Cardinal Flower. Spectacular!! Found one area with large grove of bamboo. Southern or down stream section found many of same trees many aquatic plants including water lilies and wild rice.

Wildlife Seen:
Beaver, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Kingfisher, Red-winged Blackbird just to name a few.

Accommodations:

Boat ramp and ample free off-street parking.

Directions:

Take Route 50 East from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Follow Route 50 to Route 404. Take 404 to Alternate 404 to Hillsboro. Heading east on Alternate 404 to Tuckahoe Creek. Boat ramp with parking is on right just after bridge.