Kent Island

Kent Island is the eastern terminus of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, connecting Maryland's eastern and western shores; the island once served as a trading post for the first permanent English settlement in Maryland. Stevensville is the largest town on Kent Island, home to several historic structures, including Stevensville Train Depot and Christ Church, founded in 1631. However, most visitors make a stop in Stevensville for one (or more) of three reasons: dozens of excellent seafood restaurants; fishing charters, boating facilities and marinas; and outdoor recreation. For a small island, Kent has several highly regarded parks and trails, as ...

Kent Island is the eastern terminus of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, connecting Maryland's eastern and western shores; the island once served as a trading post for the first permanent English settlement in Maryland. Stevensville is the largest town on Kent Island, home to several historic structures, including Stevensville Train Depot and Christ Church, founded in 1631. However, most visitors make a stop in Stevensville for one (or more) of three reasons: dozens of excellent seafood restaurants; fishing charters, boating facilities and marinas; and outdoor recreation. For a small island, Kent has several highly regarded parks and trails, as well as a number of public landings that are suitable for enjoying nature, crabbing and clamming, and launching kayaks and other “car-top” water transport. The 500-acre Horsehead Wetlands Center, part of the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, is east of Kent Island in Graysonville. Paths wander around six waterfowl ponds, each representing a different wetland habitat. The Center offers observation blinds/towers, a boardwalk, raptor exhibits, and kayak rentals. Terrapin Beach Nature Park covers 279 acres in Stevensville north of the Bay Bridge. The park includes a a 3-mile walking trail through wildflower meadows, wetlands, tidal ponds, woodlands, and beaches. The multi-use Cross Island Trail begins at Terrapin Park Nature Area and meanders 6.5 miles through farmlands, meadows and woods to the Chesapeake Exploration Center at Kent Narrows. Kent Island South Trail is another multi-use pathway located off Rt. 8 south in Stevensville. It spans 6 miles, starting from Matapeake Park (excellent views of the bay bridge) and ending at Romancoke Pier on the east side of the island. Kent Island and Stevensville are part of Queen Anne’s County, an area of quiet, historic villages, farms that yield fresh produce in summer and fall, and many opportunities to cycle on back roads with spectacular views of the bay and wildlife. Antique hunters need not despair: nearby Queenstown features a multi-dealer warehouse, J.R.'s Antique Center, and one of the best auctions on the shore takes place on Wednesday at Dixon’s Furniture in the town of Crumpton.

About the Expert

Joanne Miller is the author of several Moon guidebooks, including Pennsylvania Handbook, Chesapeake Bay Handbook, and Maryland/Delaware Handbook.