Chesapeake Beach Railway Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Parking right near the trailhead is marked for boat slip holders only. There is free public parking about 100 yards away near the recreation center. Bicycles are allowed.

This is a popular running trail because of the smooth surfaces.

This trail begins from the parking area behind the Chesapeake Beach Community Center. It is an elevated boardwalk above a tidal marsh along Fishing Creek. The trail forms a Y-shape with Chesapeake Beach Rail Trail - North Branch. The stem of the Y parallels the creek to an intersection where the arms of the Y branch. The right branch (Chesapeake Beach Rail Trail - North Branch) crosses a side creek and climbs slightly where it ends at the rear of a housing development. The left branch crosses the main creek and continues on a paved surface along an old railroad bed to a dead-end above the creek.

The entire trail is boardwalk and paved trail and there are trail signs that include mileage. There are also alcoves on the boardwalk with benches and informative signs describing the landscape and wildlife.

Along the elevated boardwalk one can see herons, osprey, gulls, and other seabirds. There are several osprey nesting platforms along the trail.