Palmer State Park

Canoeing and Kayaking

A launch area is not available in Palmer State Park. Paddlers can explore Deer Creek by putting in upstream at the nearby Benjamin’s Bridge canoe/kayak launch managed by Harford County Parks and Recreation located at 3010 Conowingo Rd. Street, MD 21154. For more information about this facility please visit their website at https://www.visitharford.com/listing/benjamins-bridge-canoe-kayak-launch/943/. Deer Creek meanders through Palmer State Park, following a forested gorge and travelling through a boulder garden.
Deer Creek is a "Scenic River," as officially designated by the Maryland Scenic and Wild River Review Board. A "Scenic River" is a “free-flowing river whose shoreline and related land are predominantly forested, agricultural, grassland, marshland, or swampland with a minimum of development for at least 2 miles of the river length."
The entire length of Deer Creek in Palmer State Park is open to swimming, tubing and paddling.
Fallen trees and debris can obstruct the creek. Outside of the state park areas, Deer Creek is bordered by private property. Please observe no trespassing signs, act responsibly and respect private property when on the creek.