How Long Is Maryland’s Legendary Patuxent River From Start to End?

The Patuxent River is 115 miles long, winding through the state of Maryland. It feeds into the Chesapeake Bay, which is located on the eastern side of Maryland. The Patuxent River isn’t the longest river on the East Coast but it is the longest river that is completely located within Maryland.

The watershed is roughly 900 square miles, also in Maryland. Watershed refers to the land that drains into the river, stream, or even ocean. In this case, all water that collects on the surface in this 900 square-mile area eventually makes it into the Patuxent River. The deepest part of the Patuxent River, which is around 175 feet deep, is right at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

What Can You Do on the Patuxent River?

The Patuxent River is known for being very scenic and a great place for outdoor recreation. The Maryland Department of Planning published a Patuxent Challenge to highlight all of the activities you can do near and on the Patuxent. They award prizes to those who share photos showcasing fun activities, such as boating, fishing, and hiking. You can also visit one of the many state and city parks along the Patuxent. The Patuxent River Park in Upper Marlboro, Maryland provides 7,000 acres to explore. In addition to the river, it includes a replica American Indian village to educate the public about the Indigenous tribes who called this area home.

What Rivers Are in Maryland?

Other rivers in Maryland include the Potomac and the Patapsco Rivers. Along with the Patuxent, these three rivers are the largest in Maryland. There are also numerous smaller rivers, streams, and inlets all along the eastern shore of the state. Most of the rivers in Maryland, including those with headwaters in other states, eventually drain into the Chesapeake Bay.

What Rivers Drain into the Chesapeake Bay?

The Chesapeake Bay is a major body of water on the east coast of the United States. The Susquehanna is one of the largest rivers that drain into the bay. It goes for 444 miles before reaching the Chesapeake Bay and is the longest river on the east coast. The Susquehanna originates in New York, travels through Pennsylvania, and reaches Maryland where it joins the bay.

The Potomac River is a major feature in the mid-Atlantic region and also drains into the Chesapeake Bay. It is 405 miles long and travels through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. The James River, which is completely in Virginia, is the third longest river draining into the Chesapeake at 348 miles long.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © James Flynt/Shutterstock.com