Lesser-Known Outdoor Adventures Along Maryland's Coastal Bays

Marshall Creek, Newark, MD

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Beach to Bay Heritage Area.

Maryland’s coastal bays have been a top destination for outdoor adventures like recreational fishing, watersports, and waterfront dining for decades. On any given sunny summer day, the Isle of Wight, Assawoman, and Sinepuxent Bays behind Ocean City are typically packed with recreational boaters, jetskis, parasails, fishing charters, and even floating tiki bars. But as you venture further south into Newport and Chincoteague Bays, the boat traffic thins out and the landscape shifts from hotels and condo buildings to miles and miles of undeveloped, natural shorelines. The buzz of Route 50 dissipates into the distance and the air is soon filled with the sounds of terns, osprey, and the occasional bald eagle. 

The eastern shoreline of these bays is encompassed by the wild marshlands and maritime forests of Assateague Island National Seashore. The western shoreline is largely undeveloped, dotted with just a few homes and small working waterfronts. This area is a quiet haven for any outdoor lover looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the tourist towns. When you're in this more remote section of the bays, you can't help but feel connected to the generations that first settled Worcester County centuries ago, as well as the Native Americans that first hunted and foraged the coast thousands of years ago.

Take a virtual journey with us as we explore some of the lesser-known outdoor gems of Maryland’s lower coastal bays.

Assateague Island Paddle-In Campsites

wild horses near Assateague's Old Ferry Landing

Visiting Assateague is a no-brainer when it comes to scenic outdoor destinations along Maryland’s coast. But if you’ve already launched a kayak from Bayside Drive and hiked the Life of the Forest, Marsh, and Dunes trails, you’re probably ready for something new. Unbeknownst to many visitors, Assateague has three paddle-in campsites - the perfect way to experience the secluded backcountry of an otherwise busy beach park. 

Tingles Island paddle-in campsite

A backcountry camping permit must be obtained at the ranger station on the morning of your departure and all campers in your party must be present. The park has strict guidelines as far as when you need to depart to ensure you arrive at your selected campsite prior to sunset. Permits are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Read all the backcountry camping guidelines here.

Rackliffe Trail, Assateague State Park

If backcountry camping is not your style, there’s another lesser-known spot at Assateague that will be well worth your visit. The Rackliffe Trail is a beautiful, shaded trail located on the mainland just behind the visitor center. Highlights of this trail include a stunning “tree tunnel” where the trail is framed by bayberry and marsh elder trees, and the historic Rackliffe House, an 18th-century plantation house which is now a museum.

Ayers Creek

marsh grasses along Ayers Creek

Ayers Creek is a beautiful tributary of Newport Bay that sits between the town of Berlin and the road leading to Assateague. This has access at the Lewis Rd launch and flows through the largest expanse of wetlands in Worcester County. Paddlers can explore as far as they wish downstream and then return to the launch. Or for experienced paddlers, leave a car at the South Point boat ramp and paddle the full eight-mile, one-way journey from the narrow creek to the open bay. The creek is packed with osprey, eagles, and the occasional jumping perch!

Ilia Fehrer Nature Preserve

Ilia Fehrer Nature Preserve in Berlin, MD

Directly on the opposite side of Ayers Creek from the kayak launch is the Ilia Fehrer Nature Preserve, a property managed by the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. The first trail was constructed and opened to visitation in 2024, with plans to expand into a full trail system. The property is 88% wetlands, so although the trail is in a wooded area, it can get soggy so wait to visit if we’ve had recent heavy rains. 

Marshall Creek

Paddleboarding Marshall Creek in Newark, MD

Continuing our journey down the coast, our next stop is Marshall Creek. This marsh creek feeds into Newport Bay after many twists and turns, making it a paddler’s dream. Once you reach the bay, there are a few small, sandy beaches to explore - but they are private land, so be respectful and stay below the high tide line. To access the creek, you’ll want to launch at Mason Landing. If you’re not a paddler, you can still enjoy the view from the landing. There is a small dock to fish or crab from, and several benches to relax and take in the view. 

Public Landing

Public Landing pier overlooking Chincoteague Bay in Snow Hill, MD

When we picture rides, night clubs, and hotels along Maryland’s coast, Ocean City is what immediately comes to mind. However, if you were to time-travel a hundred years ago, Public Landing was the place to be! Prior to the hurricane of 1933, this bayfront village was becoming quite the destination, complete with carnival rides, a bowling alley, dance hall, boardwalk, pier, and a giant water slide. But after the destruction of the hurricane, the town never quite recovered and is now a sleepy fishing village. Luckily, the county manages a very short boardwalk, and crabbing pier, complete with a small water slide into the bay - a wink to Public Landing’s past. 

Public Landing beach in Snow Hill, MD

Just down the road from the pier is a public beach, boat ramp, and a small county-owned marina. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a quiet day on the bay, miles from the nearby resorts of Ocean City and Chincoteague. For paddlers, Public Landing offers mostly open-water options, but there is a small creek just south of the pier that passes under the Bayside Road bridge. The creek is inaccessible at low tide, but a high tide may also prevent passage under the bridge, so be sure to time your paddle accordingly!

bay scallops at Baywater Landing

While you’re in the vicinity of Public Landing, it’s worth stopping into Baywater Landing, located just down the road from the beach and pier. This tiny marina offers fresh seafood, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and even Airbnb rentals on houseboats! In addition, the team here is growing and harvesting the only bay scallop farm in Maryland.

E.A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area

E.A. Vaughn WMA in Girdletree, MD

If you really want to hike off the beaten path, the E. A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area might be exactly what you’re looking for. This property is primarily used for hunting, but can be safely hiked when it’s not a firearm season. The trails are not marked, but are well-maintained and open for exploration. You’ll pass by meadows, wooded sections, freshwater impoundments, and you may even catch a glimpse of the bay through the trees.

Learn more about hiking safety and hunting seasons on our helpful tips page.

George’s Island & E.A. Vaughn Water Trails

EV Vaughn water trails in Stockton, MD

Believe it or not, you can still travel further south along the coast and not be in Virginia yet! The next villages to the south are Girdletree and Stockton, Maryland. Head east from either town and you’ll end at a boat ramp with access to the Chincoteague Bay - Taylor Landing or George’s Island Landing. Both ramps provide paddling access to the E.A. Vaughn Water Trail system, a collection of paddling routes that wrap around several islands and wind up narrow marsh creeks. If it’s high tide, you’ll be able to paddle fairly far up some super narrow creeks that are packed with diamondback terrapins, egrets, and green herons. If it’s a lower tide you may not be able to access the creeks as well, so head out to explore the waters around Mills and Tizzard Islands. If you choose to stop on one of the sandy beaches, be respectful of private property and stay below the high tide line. Learn more about paddling the E.A. Vaughn water trails here.

Maryland’s lower coastal bays offer a quieter side of the Maryland’s coast, with plenty of places to paddle, hike, and explore. From Assateague’s backcountry campsites to the creeks near George’s Island, these hidden spots are worth a visit for anyone looking to experience the true heritage of the coast beyond the crowds.

To take a deeper dive into the natural and cultural heritage of Maryland's Coastal Bays, be sure to check out the Beach to Bay Heritage Area and consider participating in their passport program.