This Day Trip report covers a little island in the Chesapeake Bay that we drive over after crossing the Bay Bridge on our way to the ocean, but may never stop and explore. Time to change that – because Kent Island and the adjacent Kent Narrows are just about an hour from Greenbelt (at off-peak traffic times).
Hiking/Cycling
Kent Island has two really nice bike trails, shown in red on the right map above. The Cross-Island Trail is 6 miles east to west and the South Island Trail runs 5.8 miles.
The Cross Island Trail spans Kent Island from Terrapin Nature Park to Kent Narrows. The trail, about 6 miles long, has several places where you can park and enter the trail, including Terrapin Nature Park, Old Love Point Park, Castle Marina Road, Kent Narrows Boat Launching Ramp, and the Chesapeake Bay Exploration Center. It has an easy asphalt surface. Full description (you may need a Traillink account to see it.)
Above, pano view of pier at the southern end of the South Island Trail – on Romancoke Road.
The South Island Trail is a paved trail system that parallels Rt. 8 from Matapeake State Park to Romancoke Pier. Description on Traillink (need account to view). The surface is new asphalt, quite smooth.
Beaches
Terrapin Beach Nature Park is just north of the eastern end of the Bay Bridge and includes a remarkably nice beach that’s FREE. The 276-acre Terrapin Beach Nature Park also has a one mile nature trail, pond, and two observation blinds. What a gem! Check out the gallery of photos.
The facilities are very basic – just parking, signage, and porta-johns.
Matapeake Clubhouse and Beach is on the western shore of Kent Island. It has a tiny public beach and also a dog beach. The clubhouse is a rentable venue for events.
Where to Eat
Historic Stevensville consists of just a couple of blocks and dozen or so buildings (that I could see). But they include a great-smelling “Piece of Cake” bakery and the Amalfi Coast Italian Wine Bar. Stevensville also boasts a train station and historic Christ Church.
The Kent Manor Inn is a fancy historic venue and restaurant, currently closed due to covid. But its Twin Creeks Cafe IS open – though check the hours.
The Jetty – on Kent Narrows
The Jetty Restaurant and Dock Bar is a lively waterside restaurant on Kent Narrows, which is SO lively it even has live music on the weekends – check the calendar.
On a weekday, outdoor seating was plentiful. I can’t speak for a gorgeous Sunday in fall.
The Narrows Restaurant on Kent Narrows
The Narrows Restaurant is an indoor facility with a large enclosed porch overlooking the water. I ordered one of their specialties – crabcakes – and can swear by them.
Lore Rosenthal
Thanks for posting this. It inspired us to take a day trip yesterday, the first in over a year. We took your advice and visited the Romancoke Pier (where we met school board member Joshua Thomas’s parents, formerly from Greenbelt), the Terrapin Beach Nature Park, and part of the Cross Island Trail intown. We probably walked 3 or 4 miles by the end of the day. We ended with dinner at Adams Grille and dessert at Sweet Frog.
Sue M
Also recommend Harris Crab House. They have great seafood, salads, and for adventurous souls, delightfully seasoned alligator. Lots of versions of Smith Island Cake and other amazing desserts. https://harriscrabhouse.com/pages/about
Sue M
Highly recommend Harris Crab House in this area. Wonderful classic seafood, salads, and if you are adventurous, there is alligator. https://harriscrabhouse.com/pages/about