Except for the occasional kayaker or canoe trip, the only intrusions on the quiet of this pristine little creek are the young bald eagles, hawks or ospreys flying over the marshes or the sudden burbling of some of the biggest toads this side of the Rockies. But, more on the creek later. Because most people living in the Bay region do not make the connection between what happens on the land and what happens in the water, the kickoff point for any trip to this area should be the trust's hiking trails. The trails are located across from Gate A on Scientists Cliffs Road, just off of Parkers Creek Road. Parkers Creek Road is the next left.
Visitors can hike all or part of the eight miles of trails.
Good advice in an area that boasts some rare plant species, including one of Maryland's largest living American chestnuts. The hike through the woods introduces you to the reason why Parkers Creek remains pristine-it's buffered by wetlands, marshes and forests which protect it from the effects of the rapid development upstream in Prince Frederick. Access to the canoe launch is available only during organized trips sponsored by groups that include the American Chestnut Land Trust, the Calvert Marine Museum and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. Participating in one of these trips is a great way to see the creek and get some expert commentary along the way. According to the land trust, a trip up Parkers Creek has the same salinity range as a 100-mile trip up the Bay to the mouth of the Susquehanna.