Martinak State Park RV & Campground Guide

Martinak State Park sits at the junction of the Choptank River and Watts Creek, so there is plenty of shoreline to cast from. Fishers are also welcome to go out in kayaks, canoes, or powered boats to try their luck farther from shore. Perch, sunfish, bass, and catfish live in the river and creek. You will need a Maryland freshwater fishing license, and it’s a good idea to check current catch limits and seasonal restrictions as you plan your visit.

The park participates in geocaching, and you’ll find traditional caches as well as special events. Maryland organizes occasional state-wide treasure hunts, and Martinak has participated in past challenges. If you like puzzles and treasure hunting, be sure to check online for special hunts and new caches.

This is a great area for nature watching, particularly birdwatching. Benches along the paved path by the water make fantastic birdwatching perches, and the park is a stop for migrating waterfowl, songbirds, and other species. Several types of raptors build nests in the area during the spring, as well. The lively riverbank is a wonderful place for watching small animals like turtles.

Although there are towns nearby, the park has good stargazing opportunities for the area. You’ll need to set up your blanket and telescope, if you brought one, in one of the park’s cleared areas. There are a few small clearings near the camping loops, and there are a few suitable spaces near the boat ramp on Watts Creek. Cooler weather offers clearer skies with less haze, so if you want the best views, it’s best to visit as early in the spring or late in the fall as possible.

Most of the park is covered in hardwood and pine forest, and at the river’s edge you’ll find some wetlands with various aquatic grasses and picturesque lily pads. The woods are full of furry locals like deer, opossums, groundhogs, and even the occasional skunk. Fish such as bass, catfish, and perch swim in the river and creek along with plenty of turtles, frogs, toads, and snakes. The birds, however, draw the biggest crowds, and the area is a favorite of birders out to spot nesting bald eagles and ospreys. The park also sees killdeer, woodcock, sandpipers, wood ducks, cormorants, herons, egrets, owls, and hawks.

The park offers four easy trails to explore the woods and riverside. The paved, 1-mile Activity Trail is a wonderful option for families traveling with small children, particularly those who use strollers. It leads through the park’s inland woods. Other trails lead along the water with trailheads near the boat launch. Point Trail showcases the wetlands at the meeting of Watts Creek and the Choptank River, and the Mardela Trail leads further up the creek.

Guests are welcome to bring their own watercraft to the park. A boat ramp by the mouth of Watts Creek leads into both the creek and river. Both paddleboats and motored vehicles are permitted.