As the sun shines down on another beautiful day, there is nothing I want more than to get out on the water. I would much rather get my workout in by having fun on a paddleboard or kayak than running on a treadmill. We are lucky that we live in such close proximity to the Chesapeake Bay and its many rivers, but that doesn’t mean all of us own kayaks, paddleboards, or canoes. Good news! We know where to get them. Last month we shared great campgrounds and how to reserve them, so why not do the same for water trails and rentals? Here we go.
Rentals
Blackwater Adventures: Rents Kayaks, bikes, boats, jet skis, and more in Cambridge. Make your reservation online now at BlackwaterAdventuresmd.com. They also offer guided fishing, bike, or kayak tours. 410-901-9255.
Capital SUP: Available for standup paddleboard lessons, rentals, and tours. Capital SUP is located in Annapolis on Back Creek. They also offer yoga and fitness classes, as well as SUP Race training. Capitalsup.com, 410-919-9402.
Shore Pedal and Paddle: Available for bike, kayak, and standup paddleboard rentals, sales, and tours. Shore Pedal and Paddle is located on Talbot Street in St. Michaels. ShorePedalandPaddle.com, 410-745-2320.
Standup Paddle Annapolis: Available for paddleboard rentals and lessons. Standup Paddle Annapolis is located in Crownsville on the Severn River. SupAnnapolis.com, 443-620-0060.
Sunrise SUP: Available for SUP Yoga, lessons, and rentals. Sunrise SUP is located in Edgewater on the South River. SunriseSUP.com , 434-234-4443
Twisted Creek Paddlesports: Available for kayak and paddleboard tours and instructions on the South River. Located within Quiet Waters Park, just south of Downtown Annapolis. TwistedCreekPaddleboards.com, 443-212-8978.
Water Trails
Anacostia Water Trail: This water trail was mapped in 2014 along the Anacostia River through Bladensburg and into Washington, D.C. This nine-mile stretch has many entrance points. For a full map, visit AnacostiaWatertrail.org.
Blackwater Wildlife Refuge: In Cambridge, Blackwater Wildlife Refuge offers three different canoe trails within the Blackwater River. Blackwater Adventures is also located in the middle of the Refuge to make renting easy and convenient.
Corsica River Water Trails: The Corsica River is located near Centreville. The 8-mile waterway allows paddling adventures and explorations throughout Queen Anne’s County and under the Route 304 bridge. Running parallel to the water trail is a land trail that winds through Millstream Park.
Quiet Waters Park: Quiet Waters in Annapolis has water access into South River for canoe, kayaks, and boat ramps. They do not have a set water trail, but is in the same place as Twisted Creek Paddlesports for convenience.