A Quiet Break Awaits on the Other Side of the Bay
By Julie Matthews
For a brief escape from Ocean City’s energetic vibe, take the short drive over the Assawoman Bay Bridge at 62nd Street on Coastal Highway to Isle of Wight Nature Park, where you will discover natural beauty, remarkable wildlife and outdoor recreation. Tucked away near the foot of the bridge on the Isle of Wight, this park is a hidden gem offering scenic views in a quaint setting despite its location only minutes off of the highly traveled expressway, MD Route 90, carrying drivers to and from Ocean City. The surprisingly tranquil park offers stunning natural beauty along with extraordinary views of the sprawling skyline of Ocean City.
Managed by the Worcester County Department of Recreation & Parks, the Isle of Wight Nature Park is a family-friendly spot featuring a small beach, two fishing piers, picnic tables and a kayak-canoe launching area. Surrounded by several waterways—including the Isle of Wight Bay, the Assawoman Bay, the Saint Martin River and Haystack Pond—Isle of Wight Nature Park is situated on a small piece of land that is almost an island, and a marvelous place to spend time in nature, enjoying outdoor activities from kayaking and canoeing to fishing and crabbing.
The Isle of Wight Nature Park is part of the National Audubon Society-designated Maryland Coastal Bays Important Bird Area, so bird watching is another popular activity. Thanks to the area’s diverse ecosystem, with a mixture of marshes and wooded swamps, many bird species are spotted here from waterfowl and shorebirds to ospreys and bald eagles, and many more. Bird watching is particularly impressive during the winter months.
Isle of Wight Nature Park is a perfect getaway for enjoying a peaceful picnic and laid back activities, before returning to Ocean City and rejoining all of the exciting attractions of the beloved beach town.
The park does not have an entry fee and is open 6 a.m. to dusk. It is trash free park, so any trash must be taken with you when you leave.
13090 St. Martin’s Neck Road, Bishopville, MD 21813
WorcesterRecAndParks.org/Parks/Isle-Wight-Park
