Ben Cardin C&D Canal Trail - Chesapeake City, MD
Ben Cardin C&D Canal Trail – Dog-Friendly Trail in Chesapeake City, Maryland
Located in the scenic Chesapeake City, Maryland, the Ben Cardin C&D Canal Trail is a popular destination for dog owners seeking pet-friendly outdoor adventures. This flat, mostly paved/gravel trail offers dog-friendly hiking alongside beautiful waterfront views and interesting canal activity, making it ideal for both leisurely walks and active outings with your pup. The well-maintained trail stretches from Chesapeake City, MD, to Delaware City, DE, and is known for its continuous path, some switchbacks, and various benches with picturesque vistas along the way.
Dog owners can enjoy a relaxing stroll or invigorating bike ride with their pets, thanks to the trail’s accessible surface and multiple parking areas. While the trail provides limited shade, there are benches and spots with pleasant views for rest stops. Chesapeake City’s small-town charm at one end offers a variety of restaurants and amenities, making this a well-rounded choice for locals and visitors searching for the best dog park trails in Maryland.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the trail connects to the Castle Canal Trail in Delaware, providing extensive hiking and cycling options.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, there are restrooms at different points along the trail.
- Is there parking available? Yes, parking lots are available at various points along the trail, though parking at the west end may be limited.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, there are plenty of benches with scenic views along the trail.
- Are there other dog-friendly amenities in the area? Yes, Chesapeake City features restaurants and sights that are accessible at the trail’s end.
Reviews
Very good trail, surface area is paved/gravel. There are some sections of switchbacks due to sections of the trail along the water being closed. parking at the west end is limited, but there are parking lots along the trail.
I ride the trail on my bicycle every week during the summer. It connects to the Castle Canal Trail in Delaware. I find that the Delaware section is better maintained with the growth in the sides kept cut back off the trail. The section in MD often has foliage hanging over the trail.
I like cycling this paved trail several times a year. Mostly flat, with a couple of short climbs, waterfront almost the whole way. Not much shade along the trail, but plenty of benches with pleasant views.
This is a great trail. It has long flat parts and then it turns into steep up hill and down hill with switch backs and hair pin turns. The canal offers great views. When the wind is blowing it offers a 17 mile workout in one direction with a tail wind in the other direction. The Mike Cassel trail is connected to this trail and offers 34 miles of riding in the round trip. I’m 70 and can do the round trip in 2 to 2.5 hours depending on wind. It runs from Delaware City to Chesapeake City. I start out at Kathy’s Crab house in Delaware City and at that end there are many restaurants and nice sights. At the Chesapeake City end the small town feel permeates with restaurants and good views of the canal. The trail also runs through the parking lot of The Grain. I ride this trail as often as I can. It is a 34 mile round trip but you can turn back when you want. Bring your road bike as the trail is paved its entire length. Twenty three mm tires or wider work fine, the trail is that good. There are parking lots and restrooms at different points along the trail. There’s a railroad bridge that goes up to allow ships to go under and lowers to allow trains to go over the canal. If you are lucky a train will go over while you’re going by and you can see this feat of engineering.
The western end of the trail which runs from here to Delaware City. This spot is a short walk from Schaefers Canal house. This is my favorite walking and bike riding spot on the trail. When you’re done, go in and grab a meal to re-charge. On the 4th of July it’s also a great spot to watch the fireworks. This is the north side of the C&D canal which is one of the busiest canals in the country. You often get lucky and see a big ship going by. Click the like button if you find this review helpful or like the pics. Feel free to share.
My wife and I walked a portion of the canal trail today in Chesapeake City. We started in Maryland and crossed into Delaware. Along the way we saw a large barge carrying cement. On the walk back we saw this black snake coming out of the brush. Nature holds many amazing treats for us as we push through life.