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Visiting our area to paddle?

While you are in the area the following information may help a couple hour paddle turn into an awesome day trip, weekend stay, or multi-day get away!

Visit and Camp at Elk Neck State Park!

Elk Neck State Park is located in Cecil County on a peninsula, formed by the Chesapeake Bay on the west and the Elk River on the east. The park has 2,370 acres of land and includes 250 campsites, 4 youth group sites and 19 cabins. Varied landscapes include marshlands, heavily wooded areas, white clay cliffs, and sandy shorelines. The park is located about 12 miles south of Bay Venture Outfitters and is about a 20 minute drive!

Elk Neck State Park is divided into four areas:

Turkey Point Light House

Turkey Point Lighthouse is located at the southern tip of the Elk Neck Peninsula. Built in 1833, Turkey Point Lighthouse sits on a 100 foot high bluff that overlooks the union of the Elk River and the Chesapeake Bay. At 129 feet above the water, Turkey Point Lighthouse is the third tallest light on the Bay after the lighthouses at Cape Charles (191 feet) and Cape Henry (164 feet) at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia.

You have to check out the sweeping views of the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding land masses that frame a beautiful backdrop for the Lighthouse, in addition hawks and eagles can be viewed at the Raptor Viewing Field. The Turkey Point Lighthouse was once used to project light 13 miles down the Chesapeake Bay to direct ships safely away from the shorelines. Now it stands as a reminder of the history of the area.

North East Beach Area and Picnic Shelters

North East Beach Area and Picnic Shelters is a popular day-use area located in the western portion of the park and features a swimming area, canoe/kayak launch just north of the swim area, picnic shelters, picnic tables, and grills. The shallow water access is unguarded and the area also features and a restroom with cold showers. Bay Venture Outfitters offers offsite rentals that you may use in this area! Please note however that the waters in this area of the bay are wide open and unprotected, something that should be taken into consideration when planning your paddle!

Rogues Harbor Boat Launch Facility

Visitors to Rogues Harbor Boat Launch Facility can launch boats, fish and crab from the fishing pier, and hike the Beaver Marsh Loop or the White Banks Trail. Pets on leashes are welcome.​​​​​​​​​ Four boat launch ramps offer access to the Elk River, Chesapeake Bay, and surrounding waterways. Bay Venture Outfitters offers offsite rentals that you may use in this area! Please note however that the waters in this area of the bay are wide open and unprotected, something that should be taken into consideration when planning your paddle!

Elk River Camping Area

The Elk River Camping Area is located on the eastern portion of the peninsula and offers over 250 campsites, 19 cabins (11 mini/camper cabins and 8 rustic cabins), four youth group camping areas, park store, playground, and a nature center. Bay Venture Outfitters offers offsite rentals and free delivery directly to your campsite! Below is a list of campsites.

  • North East Camping Loop
    28 sites with electric (50, 30, and 20 amp), water, and sewer hookups
    Pets on a leash are permitted
    Base Price (per night)*- $36.49
  • Chester Camping Loop
    22 sites with electric hook-ups (50, 30, and 20 amp)
    Pets are prohibited
    Base Price (per night)*- $27.49
  • Elk and Miles Camping Loops
    56 standard tent campsites
    Pets on a leash are permitted
    Base Price (per night)*- $21.49
  • Wye, Choptank, and Susquehanna Camping Loops
    68 standard tent campsites
    Pets on a leash are permitted
    Base Price (per night)*- $21.49
  • Bohemia Loop
    27 standard tent campsites
    Pets are prohibited
    Base Price (per night)*- $21.49
  • Youth Group Camping
    4 group sites
    Up to 50 people per site
    Pets are prohibited

To make a camping reservation, call 1-888-432-2267 or visit parkreservations.maryland.gov.

Additional Park Information

Click here for an enlarged Campground Map.

Contact: 410-287-5333​​
Elk Neck State Park
4395 Turkey Point Rd
North East, MD 21901​

 

 

Visit Elk Neck State Forest

Main Area

Elk Neck State Forest is 3,571 acres situated in central Cecil County consisting of four separate tracts of land​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​. Elk Neck State Forest is open to the public for hunting, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.

Shooting ranges for bow, hand gun, shotgun and rifle are also available to the public. Permits are accessed from a self-service honor system located at the Maintenance Complex.

The forest supports a diverse habitat with mixed deciduous and evergreen trees and an understory of mountain laurel, azaleas and other native shrubs. Birdwatchers, including members of the Cecil County Bird Club, enjoy observing the forest's abundance of migratory birds. For those interested in wildflowers, the Forest is home to an abundance of natural flora.

Elk Neck State Forest Map

Arboretum Hiking Trail

Elk Neck State Forest is home to the recently opened Arboretum Hiking Trail. In addition to being the first arboretum in Cecil County, it is the first project of its kind undertaken by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Elk Neck State Forest’s Arboretum has 61 newly planted specimens and 35 pre-existing specimens on display. There are 52 different species of Maryland native shrubs and trees that are identified along the walking paths that total 1/2 mile of easily walking surfaces.

Specimens exhibit a variety of shrub and tree species from all over Maryland. Native habitat for these trees range from the mountainous Western Maryland, through the Piedmont area around Baltimore to the sandy shores of Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore. Maryland has been described as America in miniature and through the variety of trees at the arboretum it is easy to see why.

Brochure and Map

 

Make it a long weekend!

Red Point

Stay on the bay in Red Point! With a private beach overlooks seven miles of water to Havre de Grace, MD this community is a mix of vacationers, seasonal, and full-time residents and includes a private boat ramp, beach, and pier that provides frequent sightings of Bald Eagles, Osprey and herons feeding on the fish.

This area has now become known as a summer vacation destination offering rentals via AirBnb and Red Point Light House Vacation Rentals.

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