Baltimore County Sailing Center

Located at Rocky Point Park in Essex, this boat ramp provides access to Hawk Cove on the Back River, a sheltered water body situated between Hart-Miller Island and the main Back River channel. The Baltimore County Sailing Center operates this facility as a community sailing organization, making it a well-maintained access point for kayakers, canoeists, and small boat operators. The immediate area offers a scenic, calm-water paddling environment ideal for beginners and those seeking protected waters.

The nearby Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center (open daily 9:00 am–4:45 pm) provides restrooms, water bottle refilling, and educational exhibits about the region's maritime heritage. For trip planning, contact the Baltimore County Sailing Center at (410) 962-4290. Paddlers should note that this location serves as both a public access point and an active sailing facility, so be prepared to share the water with other watercraft. Hawk Cove's protected nature makes it an excellent choice for calm-water paddling and shorter explorations of the Back River system.

The Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center is open daily from 9:00 am - 4:45 pm. Inside the visitor center is an introductory museum, a movie (plays every 30 minutes), the park bookstore, restrooms, and water bottle filling station. The visitor center and museum are free to visit. Visitors interested in purchasing entrance passes to the Star Fort Historic Zone or an America the Beautiful...

The Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center is open daily from 9:00 am - 4:45 pm. Inside the visitor center is an introductory museum, a movie (plays every 30 minutes), the park bookstore, restrooms, and water bottle filling station. The visitor center and museum are free to visit. Visitors interested in purchasing entrance passes to the Star Fort Historic Zone or an America the Beautiful pass can do so here.

Read More Read Less