A new kayak trail south of Public Landing in Chincoteague Bay will complement a Park Service trail running along the western side of Assateague Island.

Created by DLITE and funded by a grant from the Maryland State Highway Administration, the roughly 15-mile long EA Vaughn kayak and canoe trail will embark from Taylors Landing on the north side of the 3,500-acre EA Vaughn Wildlife Management Area. The trail will head east around either side of Mills Island (canoers choice) and stop at a resting spot at George Island Landing. Both landings will boast kayak trail maps and interpretive signs describing the area's wildlife and ecosystem.

Click on the map to the left to see a larger version.

As kayakers and canoers head back north, they will enjoy the intimate surroundings along Cottman, Beasey, Pikes, and finally Scarboro creeks as the open bay trail departs toward the thin, winding, upper reaches of each tributary. Here, kayakers can catch a glimpse of otters, pileated woodpeckers, tanagers, and the refuge's popular blue grosbeaks and indigo buntings. Surrounded by some 5,000 additional acres of protected land from the state's Rural Legacy Program, the trail is a wildlife paradise. Kayakers paddling along the Assateague Island trail to the east will also be able to make a sojourn across the bays to the EA Vaughn trail to enjoy the wildlife or stop on the mainland for supplies.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is helping to mark the trail and Worcester County Tourism, which secured the original State Highway grant, is working on an additional trail upgrade along Nassawango Creek.

Click here to join DLITE so you can have a map mailed to you as soon as they come out. Paper trail maps will be available at local outfitters, Worcester County libraries and tourism office, the DLITE office. All paid DLITE members will automatically receive the maps free in the mail. Join DLITE today!