Paddle-In Camping

Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks offers two paddle-in camp areas located along the Patuxent River: Stocketts Run and Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary's Emory Waters Nature Preserve. There are two campsites at each location. The campsites are managed by the Resource Conservation & Protection (RCP) Unit.

Enjoy an overnight stop at a paddle-in primitive campsite along the Patuxent River. Each location contains two campsites, adjacent to each other. Each site contains one 12’x12’ tent pad, a picnic table, and a fire ring with a flip-up cooking grate. A portable toilet is accessible from both sites. There are no trash receptacles; users must pack out all trash.

Maximum Capacity (per site): 6 Guests
Maximum Rental: 2 Nights
Cost (per site): $10 per night
Check In: You may check into your campsite at 2:00pm. 
Check Out: Checkout should occur by 12:00pm on your last day.

Canoes and kayaks are allowed to be brought up to the campsite, or left on the bank. Anne Arundel County is not responsible for lost or stolen property.

Emergency response (Fire, EMS, etc.) can be challenging at this location. Please be prepared to give your GPS location, and be aware that you could accidentally be connected to Prince George's County 911. Make sure any emergency call taker understands you are in Anne Arundel County.

  • Fires must be contained to the provided metal fire ring.
  • Alcoholic beverages, weapons, hunting, fireworks, metal detecting, and littering are prohibited.
  • Pets must be under the control of their owners, on a leash at all times, and their waste picked up and disposed of off the property.
    • Pets are not permitted at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, including the Emory Waters Nature Preserve (Emory Landing Campsite).
  • Interfering with or disturbing wildlife, damaging or removing trees, soil, rocks, or any other natural resource is prohibited.

Trash & Human Waste

  • Users must pack out all trash.
  • Use of the portable toilet is preferred for disposal of all human waste.
    • Catholes are an acceptable alternative option for on-site disposal of human waste.
      Catholes should be dug at least 200 feet (about 70 adult steps) from water, trails and campsites.
    • Select an inconspicuous site where other people will be unlikely to walk or camp.
      With a small garden trowel, dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches in diameter.
    • The cathole should be covered and disguised with natural materials when finished.
       

Additional Information

  • Campsites are paddle-in only (car access for launch or retrieval is not possible at these locations). For overnight parking on the Patuxent River, contact MNCPPC’s Patuxent River Park (301-627-6074) for more information.
  • Private property closely adjoins County parkland; please stay in the general campsite area and do not trespass on private property.
  • Due to the potential threat of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), and other invasive beetles, the importation of personal firewood is prohibited. Please do not bring firewood with you.

For a complete list of rules, regulations, or other park information, please contact the Resource Conservation & Protection Unit at 410-222-2844

The Ford Campsite at Stocketts Run is located along the Patuxent River near Harwood, Maryland. Approximate GPS coordinates are 38.88215, -76.67475

If you are using the Patuxent River Trail map the site is located on the downstream left side of the river at approximately mile marker 51 (Site 51). Please look for a large brown sign with a tent symbol on it. A short obvious trail leads from the river up a steep hill to the campsites. Tent pad sites are numbered on their corners and correspond to your rental.

Reservations

Ford Campsite at Stocketts Run
Ford Campsite at Stocketts Run

The Emory Landing Campsite at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary’s Emory Waters Nature Preserve is located along the Patuxent River, near Lothian, Maryland. Approximate GPS coordinates are 38.77091, -76.69460

If you are using the Patuxent River Trail map the site is located on the downstream left side of the river at approximately mile marker 41 (Site 41A). Please look for a large brown sign with a tent symbol on it. A short obvious trail blazed in Orange leads from the river to the campsites. Tent pad sites are numbered on their corners and correspond to your rental.

Please note: There are mud flats in the Jug Bay area of the tidal Patuxent River, immediately adjacent to the campsite. If you are paddling anytime other than high tide, you'll need to approach the campsite from the south by paddling along the eastern shore of the river. The river can be crossed more easily near the Jug Bay Pier (38.76477, -76.69355), or MNCPPC’s Canoe Camp (38.75766, -76.70060).

Reservations

Emory Waters
Emory Waters