Kayak, bike, camp on an island!! Hart Miller Island State Park, MD

DESCRIPTION: Bike, kayak and camp on an island!! This is a 3 day, 2 night paddle trip to the scenic Hart Miller Island State Park, an 1100-acre island located in Baltimore County on the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of Middle River in Maryland, starting and ending at the Rocky Point Park boat ramp, 2200 Rocky Point Rd, Essex, MD. We'll put in kayaks Friday afternoon, paddle 2 miles (1 hour paddle time) across Hawk Cove to land on Hart Miller Island, set up camp and enjoy some volleyball, swimming, sunset paddling around the island, and dinner over the fire. Hammock or tent camping, potable water and bathrooms available (portajohns), first come-first served campsites ($6/night per site).

Saturday:
Sunrise paddle, then breakfast at the campsite, then enjoy a bike ride on the 8 miles of trails around the island (1100 acres) that circle around a large, beautiful pond and include breathtaking views of the Chesapeake Bay. Free bikes are available on Hart Miller Island by the ranger station. Lunch at the campsite, then we can enjoy more swimming/biking and paddling around the island.
Saturday afternoon: 5pm Break camp and paddle over to Pleasure Island (30 min paddle time) just south of Hart Miller Island. Set up camp at on the of the primitive campsites, and enjoy a sunset paddle/dinner and s'mores around the fire.
Sunday morning: Sunrise paddle, then breakfast and break camp. Paddle 2 miles (1 hour) back to Rocky Point Park boat launch. Drive to Island View Waterfront Cafe for lunch before heading home.

Campsites on both Hart Miller and Pleasure islands are primitive, hammock friendly, right on the water, and have potable water and a bathroom (portajohn). Camping fee $6/night/site.

TRAIL MAP:
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/central/hartmiller.aspx
https://www.proptalk.com/see-bay-hart-miller-island-camping

PARKING/CARPOOLING: Please arrive at the Rocky Point Beach and Park 15 minutes before the start of the paddle trip. Also, I encourage carpooling wherever possible. If you need a ride or want a ride, look at the list of attendees and where they live (it says in their profile). Then, for those who live near you, hit the "Chat" button to ask if they want or can offer a ride. If you are a rider, please chip in towards gas (usually $5 - $20 depending on distance and # of riders). Additionally, you can post a request to give or receive a ride in the chat section of the event.

EXPECTATIONS: Download the trail map onto your phone before you arrive. Bring hat, sunscreen, swimsuit, sunglasses, river shoes plus dry bag containing change of clothes/sleeping bag/camping gear and your own boat, paddle and life jacket. Know your physical limits and cardiovascular fitness. Bring proper clothing and gear for the weather. Water temperature varies, wetsuit/synthetic clothing encouraged! If you have any concerns or questions, don't hesitate to contact the trip leader via the chat feature or direct messaging.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT: By attending this activity, I acknowledge that outdoor activity in nature carries the risk of potential harm to myself up to and including the risk of injuries such as broken bones or muscle/tendon injuries, illness, disability, or death. These can be caused by slipping or falling off rocks due to loss of balance or lack of coordination; twisting ankles on rocks, brush, limbs, or ice; Acts of nature such as rock falls, inclement weather, lightning, strong wind, extreme temperatures; drownings in rivers, streams, or other bodies of water; drinking unfiltered contaminated water or becoming dehydrated; succumbing to heat exhaustion; getting bit or stung by venomous reptiles, animals, or insects; and my own or other’s negligent or risky behaviors. This list is not exhaustive nor is it inclusive of all risks. In response, I release and hold harmless with respect to all injury, disability, death, or loss of property, whether caused by negligence or otherwise, the meetup group’s leadership as well as the designated activity leaders for this event.

SICKNESS (COVID/FLU/COLD): As always, if you have been exposed to a contagious illness, or are having any symptoms at all, please do not attend. There will be plenty of future events.