YELLOW TRAIL
Paddlers enter Ward Creek directly across from the park marina and head west. The end of the trail is located approximately 1 1/4 miles away, at the Island Dock area. From there, paddlers can walk across the island to the beachfront or follow the trail back to the marina. The Blue, Black, Red and Green Trails all begin at the Yellow Trail and run to the north or south, as the case may be.
Total paddling time: 1.5-2 hours
Length: 2.5 miles
BLUE TRAIL
Paddlers begin with the Yellow Trail. The Blue Trail is the first trail on the left, approximately .6 mile from the marina. The trail follows interior waterways south until it reaches West Creek, located at the headwaters of the Little Annemessex River. From there, paddlers enter the Daugherty Creek Canal and paddle north, following the Brown Trail to the marina. Portions of this trail can be very shallow at low tide.
Total paddling time: 1.5-2 hours
Length: 2.5 miles
BLACK TRAIL
Paddlers begin with the Yellow Trail and proceed approximately 1.1 miles. Before arriving at the Island Dock, the trail turns left and follows a serpentine waterway meandering through the interior of the island, then through Back Creek, to the Little Annemessex River. From there, the trail turns left, following the Brown Trail north to the marina.
Total paddling time: 2.5-3 hours
Length: 3.5 miles
RED TRAIL
![[Kayakers checking equipment]](/art/wtkayak2.gif)
Paddlers begin with the Yellow Trail and proceed approximately 1.1 miles. Before arriving at the Island Dock, the trail turns right and zigzags in a generally northeast direction, through Acre Creek to the Big Annemessex River. The trail then turns right, following the Brown Trail south down the Daugherty Creek Canal to the marina. Portions of this trail can be very shallow at low tide.
Total paddling time: 2.5-3.5 hours
Length: 4 miles
The Yellow, Blue, Black and Red Trails are flat water trails easily navigated by the beginner or intermediate paddlers and provide miles of protected paddling within the marshes and creeks of the island's interior. Many species of wildlife including marsh and shore birds, gulls, raccoons, muskrats, otters and snakes such as the common Northern Water Snake are abundant and visible along the trail.
GREEN TRAIL
Paddlers begin with the Yellow Trail and paddle approximately 1.1 miles. Before reaching the Island Dock, the trail turns to the right, then follows a generally northwesterly route into the waters of the Tangier Sound. From there, it turns to the right, following the Brown Trail around the island, into the Big Annemessex River then south down the Daugherty Creek Canal to the marina. This trail is very shallow at low tide.
Total paddling time: 3.5-4 hours
Length: 5 miles
BROWN TRAIL
![[Kayaker skimming the shore line of the park]](/art/wtkayak1.gif)
The Brown Trail completely encircles the island and includes the exterior portions of the Blue, Black, Green and Red Trails. As with any of the trails, it can be paddled in either direction, depending on wind, tide or personal preference. The circumference of the island is breached by numerous coves, creeks and smaller bodies of water that can be explored or bypassed, as wished.
Paddlers leaving the marina desiring to circle the island in a counter-clockwise map direction will travel north along Daugherty Creek Canal, into the Big Annemessex River. They will then turn to the left, enter the Tangier Sound at Flat Cap Point, and paddle south down the western shoreline the entire length of the island. Upon reaching Island Point, located on the southerwestern tip, they will then turn east in the direction of the tall chimney stack. They will continue past Long Point, then turn left into the Little Annemessex River. Following the east shoreline, they will pass Back and West Creeks and enter the southern end of the Daugherty Creek Canal, continuing north until they reach the marina. Paddlers desiring to travel the opposite direction will encounter these landmarks in the reverse order.
While almost the entire western half of the island has a sand beach, the remainder of the island is tidal marshland, which renders it difficult or impossible to stop, stretch, or relax. This should be taken into consideration in order to have a more enjoyable journey.
Total paddling time: 5-7 hours
Length: 12.5 miles
Both the Green and Brown Trails are intended for the more experienced paddler. They offer open water routes that are subject to high wind, significant waves, and tidal currents. Paddlers should expect to see the same wildlife as on the interior trails.
All trails in and around the island have recently been improved by the addition of new signage, employing a highly reflective white background and a different color and shape for each trail, e.g.: red octagon (bisected by a reflective diagonal white stripe), green circle, brown square, black diamond, yellow equilateral triangle, and blue quadrilateral.
EQUIPMENT:
Rental canoes and kayaks are available from the park. For further information, please call 410-968-1565. Guests are encouraged to utilize the floating kayak launch ramp at the south end of the marina. There is no charge for the use of this ramp.
PADDLING SAFETY INFORMATION:
Please read important safety information prior to paddling trails.
- Always wear a properly fitted lifejacket while on the water
- Never go boating while under the influence of alcohol
- Do not stand up in a canoe or kayak and avoid weight shifts that may cause capsize
- In canoes, kneel down when running rough water and during windy conditions
- Make sure you have the gear that you need; if air and water temperatures combined total less than 120 degrees, wear a wet suit (polypropylene and quick drying materials are ideal)
- Be alert to possible weather changes; squalls and thunderstorms are common during warm months; get off the water immediately and seek shelter. Windy and rainy weather, even in summer, can lead to hypothermia
- Boat with others and carry a spare paddle
- Leave your route and return time with a trusted relative or friend
- Carry a supply of food and water for your trip length
- Learn about your route in advance, especially potential hazards
The American Canoe Association advocates for paddler safety, clean water, the preservation of natural resources and paddler access to our waterways. For more information on paddling trip preparation and safety tips, visit www.acanet.org or call 703-451-0141.
LEAVE NO TRACE
Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all your waste - leave the site cleaner than you found it
- Carry out human waste; full bathroom facilities are available in the mainland area of the park; regulations require that you carry out all solid human waste and toilet paper; various containers with tight fitting lids (like 5 gallon paint and wall board buckets) can be used to store/transport waste from the island to the dump station
- Containers, whether reusable or disposable, should be rinsed clean as well. NOTE: It is unlawful to dispose of either solid waste or soiled containers in normal trash facilities. The individual "cat hole" method is not acceptable on the island
Leave No Trace, Inc. is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our wildlands. For more information, visit www.lnt.org.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
The park offers over 100 campsites, several modern log cabins and camper cabins, as well as a 16-bed conference center for rent. Call 1-888-432-2267 for information and available dates.
Whether you are looking for a few hours of tranquil paddling,or a full-day expedition and overnight experience, you'll find it at Janes Island State Park. The more than 30 miles of water trails dissect a 2,900 acre Chesapeake Bay saltmarsh island, a natural paradise with few signs of civilization. Limitless vistas over shallow bays, marshes and low vegetation impart a sense of space and solitude. Most of the waterways are protected from wind and current, providing ideal conditions for the novice as well as the experienced paddler. There are a total of six marked trails. All trails begin and end at the Janes Island State Park Marina and Boat Launch. Janes Island offers a tranquil paradise to explore the varied wildlife of the Chesapeake Bay region.