Why You Should Go Camping at the Breathtaking Janes Island State Park
It started with a Facebook post in September 2021 asking where I could camp for a night.
“Janes Island,” my dear friend commented.
I should have known he would comment; he is even more outdoorsy than me, knowing all the good places to explore. He is my go-to person when I need to escape DC and can't jump on a plane.
I DMed him asking what Janes Island is . . . and where it is! He told me it is on the Tangier Sound of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland (on the Eastern Shore, about 3 hours from DC). The park has more than 30 miles of water trails, and you can either camp along the water or in the woods. Or, if you wanted to on a marsh, you could do that as well.
Sold!
I went to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website a day later and booked my one-night camping trip.
Below, I will discuss why this is my favorite place: its water trails, camping sites, and local attractions. By the end, you’ll probably be booking a trip too!
Why I Love Janes Island
Before I fell in love with the mountains (the Rockies, mostly), my first love was the ocean. Being near the water grounds me. It makes me slow down. I soak up every ounce of the sun like a battery charger draws electricity.
This is where I can go and escape the DC life when I can't jump on a plane. This is where I can be lazy in my hammock, reading a book and looking at the water. Here, I can relax, sleep in, play on the water, and catch a sunset while eating. Everything is a little slower here, which, for once, isn't a bad thing!
Water Trails!
Here, you explore with a boat or small watercraft instead of your feet! The American Canoe Association named Janes Island one of North America's best paddle trails since it offers over 30 miles of water trails that meander throughout the island's salt marsh. The great thing about most of these trails is that they are protected from wind and current, which helps if you are a novice paddler.
Janes Island offers seven water trails, all beginning and ending at the park's marina. Whether you are an expert or a novice paddler, this park has trails for both! The trails range from 1.25 to 12.5 miles. They also include routes along the open waters of Tangier Sound (which can be choppy with a paddle board), the Big and Little Annemessex Rivers, and various creeks and marsh routes!
If you paddle 1.25 miles, you will arrive at a private beach on Tangier Sound. This is the only place you can swim, but this beach is unguarded, and flies may sometimes attack you.
Depending on the time of day, you may get the beach to yourself. And if you need to stretch your legs more, you can enjoy a 6-7-mile walk around the island.
You can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards from the local store. Prices as of September 2023 are:
Single kayaks — $15/hour, $35/half day, $55/full day
Tandem kayaks and canoes — $20/hour, $40/half day, $60/full day
Paddle Boards — $15/hour, $35/half day, $55/full day
Where to camp on Janes Island
There are 100 campsites that face into the woods or, if you’re lucky, face the water. About half of those have electrical hook-ups to accommodate tent or vehicle campers.
If you want to camp away from people, three primitive backcountry campsites are equipped with tent platforms and boat landings (you must paddle to get there). Since these spots are environmentally sensitive sites, you must obtain a permit from the park and strictly follow Leave No Trace principles.
You can also rent a cabin. There are two different cabins you can pick from.
Full-Service Cabins
There are four rustic waterfront cabins you can rent year-round. Each cabin can sleep six people and comes with:
three bedrooms
a common area
kitchen
bathroom
a screened porch with a picnic table
air conditioning
heat, gas, or log fireplaces (available seasonally)
outdoor fire ring with a grill
picnic table
ample parking
You must provide your own towels and bedding (linens, pillows, and blankets).
Camper Cabins
Three waterfront camper cabins can sleep four during the camping season. They are all equipped with the following:
air conditioning and heat
electric
table and chairs
either two sets of bunk beds or a double bed and a set of bunk beds
ceiling fan
picnic table
fire ring
It should be noted that this cabin has no bathrooms. However, three centrally located bathhouses have hot water showers and flush toilets.
Local attractions!
Somers Cove Marina
I went to the marina since the world's largest duck was hanging out there. This is a cute little area where you can dock your boat if you have one or wander around checking the boats. You can also check out Tawes Museum and grab lunch on the water at Fisherman's Grille. They had great food, but the service could have been faster. I blame the duck.
If you want to fill your sweet tooth, you can check out Johnnysweets. We went there to get the duck cake, a Smith Island Cake. I will discuss more about that in my next blog about Smith Island. You can also get ice cream and cookies here.
Also, this is where you depart if you visit Smith and Tangier Island.
Smith Island Cruises (Maryland)
The cruise to Smith Island is approximately 50 minutes long. When I went, they gave me four hours to explore. But on their website, it said 2.5. I would double-check when you purchase your tickets in person. Or you can book online. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 3 – 11. I will go into more detail in my next blog.
Tangier Island Cruises (Virginia)
This is the next place I am planning to visit when I return, so I’ll tell you more about it in the future.
It lasts about one hour and fifteen minutes, and the ticket price is $30.
Crisfield's Wellington Beach
Janes Island has two beaches. I mentioned the first one above. If you don't feel like paddling the 1.25 miles, you can visit Wellington Beach, a free community beach. It's on the edge of a peninsula in the Pocomoke Sound, known for its stunning sunsets.
The Takeaway
Janes Island State Park is an excellent location for any solo traveler looking for a great place to go camping. And the attractions? You’ll want to do at least one of those, depending on how much time you have available.
Have you camped there before? Are you planning on heading out soon? Share in the comments!