Paddle the Assawoman Canal

The Assawoman Canal is a beautiful waterway in Ocean View, Delaware and a perfect spot for an easy, yet scenic paddle. The canal is narrow and calm, which makes for some spectacular reflections of the surrounding trees. 

You can start and park at the Assawoman Canal Trailhead parking lot off of New Road. There is a small parking lot and restrooms. However, there are no kayak rentals, so make sure to bring your own. From there, paddle south on the canal. I recommend exiting the canal just after the Jefferson Bridge, which will give you a nice 2-mile paddling trip. There is a boat ramp and small parking lot at the end of Guy Street below the Jefferson Bridge where you can easily exit the canal and arrange pickup. 

The canal is one way, so you will need to arrange a way to get you and your kayak back to your starting place. You can either arrange for someone to pick you up at the Guy Street parking lot, or leave your bike in one of the bike racks on Guy Street and then bike back to you car at the trailhead. If you ride your bike from Guy Street to the Assawoman Canal Trailhead, it takes about 10 minutes. Depending on water conditions, you may be able to kayak back up the canal to your starting place. You can also paddle farther than Jefferson Street, if you would like. 

There is no tide chart for the canal, but the canal is affected by the tides of the surrounding inland bay. I paddled the canal when it was high tide for the ocean, and the water was perfect. 

Have fun!