anyone spend a night at Hart-Miller island?

[alk]

A few years ago we anchored a ways off shore, and camped in one of the sites on hart-miller island. But since I anchored the boat outside the stone jetties in front of the beach, I was up all night worried the anchor would pull and current would take my boat. Not to mention the effort required to walk the gear all the way in to the beach.

Since it was pretty late in fall, there were no other boats or campers that night. What I am trying to find out is if others put their boats inside the jetties, up close to the beach, or if the only option is to be out in the bay? My boat has an I/O, so draws about two feet with the drive up.

Or any other nearby boatable camping areas?

 

[jmeirhofer]

ping Kurt. Him and his wife anchor all over the Chesapeake. Hart-Miller island this time of year is for the younger crowd. Unless you like jet skis, wake boards and loud music all day long, and probably night too. Farlee Creek and Worton Creek on the eastern shore are much better choices.

 

[mixman]

I don't think I can give Alk much in the way of feedback on this. We've got a 30' boat with full accommodations and don't go camping on-shore (yes, we also now have a 36' "trawler" that is even more accommodating to anchoring, but that's yet another BE story!).

Alk, there are TONS of anchoring areas (we're anchored in Fairlee Creek as I type this reply), but camping on top of that is a new one for me. What sort of resources do you need for the weekend and camping part? How far south on the Chesapeake do you want to go?

 

[jmeirhofer]

Sorry Alk. I misread that. I assumed you were spending the night on the boat, not the beach

 

[alk]

Yeah, sold the big boat, so now looking for campsites near an anchorage for something different to do. Elk Neck is ok, but liked hart-miller better. Just not sure how close in I can get the boat. I've seen people throw tents up at Lloyd creek, and at fairlee too - but unlike the two above, not really legit campsites. I don't need many amenities; but a fire pit and bathrooms as the two parks have would be nice. I guess I'll take a late afternoon ride by HM some Saturday, and see where everyone anchors. Thinking about it some more, I believe it was a weekday last time we camped there, hence no other boats in the area.

Would like to stay north of kent narrows, but trailering adds some flexibility there too.

I know all about that trawler of yours, even have a copy of the survey. Can't wait to see her out on the bay.

 

[rwidman2]

We anchored off Hart Miller Island one night. We slept on the boat. There is no protection from wind or waves and while the boat stayed where we anchored it, we had a rough night.

If you have decent ground tackle and know how to use it, your boat will probably stay put. No guarantee of course.