Silver Sands State Park - Coastal Paddling
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About
Summary
Walk to an island populated only by egrets, and maybe find Captain Kidd's buried treasure.
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Distance
2.0 miles
Round-trip from parking lot to Charles Island and back. Additionally, there is a mile-long boardwalk from Silver Sands Beach to Walnut Beach.
Destination Distance From Downtown
10.7 miles
Difficulty
2 of 5 diamonds
Shoes are a must to walk here: the beach has more shells than sand. Be cautious when walking on the sand bar because the tide comes in quickly and makes strong currents that can easily knock you down. Difficulty rating for kayaking is a 3, due to the unusual pattern of currents. Lifeguards are on duty in summer only.
Time To Complete
1 hours
It's a mile from the parking lot to Charles Island, but you'll want to allow time for bird watching, shell gathering, and admiring the view. Want more? There's about a mile of boardwalk running west from Silver Sands to Walnut Beach.
Seasonality
All Seasons
The interior of Charles Island is closed May 1 through August 31 to protect heron and egret rookeries, but you can still walk along the edge of the island and get a great view of the birds perched in the trees.
Dog Friendly
On Leash Only
Pets are prohibited on the beach and boardwalk. Pets kept on a leash, no more than 7 feet, are permitted in the picnic areas.