If your idea of summer fun includes sunshine, fresh air, a splash of adventure, and your kids squealing, “Look, Mom, a heron!” — then welcome to your next favorite family outing.
This week’s $30 family adventure takes us to the winding waters and wild beauty of Pocomoke River State Park, where you can rent a boat and create your own nature photo safari — all while keeping your wallet happy. For under $30, your whole crew can spend the day paddling, snapping pics, and exploring like river pirates with camera phones.
Let’s break it down.
📍Where We’re Headed
We're heading back to the Shad Landing area of Pocomoke River State Park, just outside of Snow Hill, Maryland. Only this time, instead of hitting the pool, we’re grabbing paddles and cruising the Pocomoke River, which is lined with gorgeous bald cypress trees and teeming with wildlife.
Seriously, it’s like kayaking through a storybook swamp — in the best way.
You’ll find:
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Canoe, kayak, and pedal boat rentals
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A peaceful launch area (no chaotic waves or speeding boats)
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Easy-to-navigate channels perfect for beginners
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Trails and picnic spots to chill after your ride
🚣♀️ Boat Rental Details
You don’t need a yacht or a fishing license — just $15 and a little arm strength.
🛶 Rental Options:
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Canoes
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Kayaks
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Pedal boats (yes, the fun ones with foot pedals!)
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Rentals typically start around $15 for 30 minutes
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Available at the Shad Landing marina — look for the signs near the camp store
📞 Pro Tip: Call ahead to confirm availability and hours: (410) 632-2566
Want to stretch your ride to a full hour? Rent two boats and switch halfway through — still under budget, still awesome.
📸 Cue the Nature Photo Hunt!
Now let’s level up your boat ride with a little friendly family competition — a DIY photo scavenger hunt.
Each person gets a phone or disposable camera (or share one and take turns), then try to capture as many of the following as you can:
🎯 Scavenger Hunt Photo List:
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A blue heron
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A turtle on a log
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Water lilies or floating leaves
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A bald cypress with “knees” sticking out of the water
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Reflection selfie in the water
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A dragonfly close-up
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A snail or an interesting rock
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One surprise photo: anything weird or wonderful
Want to spice it up? Make teams: parents vs. kids, siblings vs. siblings. At the end of the day, review your pics during snack time and vote for “Funniest Shot,” “Best Wildlife Pic,” and “Most Dramatic Selfie.”
🧺 Pack Like a Pro
After your boat ride, your crew’s going to be hungry and maybe a little soggy. Time to break out the snacks!
Bring:
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A cooler with lunch (sandwiches, chips, trail mix)
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Water bottles (LOTS)
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Grapes, oranges, or any fruit that can survive a paddle trip
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Reusable plates/napkins (eco-friendly bonus points!)
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Extra towels, sun hats, bug spray, and sunscreen
👚 Clothes tip: Lightweight shirts and quick-dry shorts = lifesavers. And don’t forget water shoes or sandals that can handle a little mud.
🎉 More Free Fun Around the Marina
When you’re done boating and snacking, don’t rush off — the Shad Landing side of the park has tons of free stuff to do post-paddle.
Here’s what you’ll find:
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Short walking trails to stretch your legs
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A playground for the kids to run wild
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Shaded picnic areas if you want to rest or read
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Wildlife spotting along the banks (bring those binoculars!)
🐦 Some of our favorite sightings include:
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Blue herons
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Ospreys
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Woodpeckers
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Tiny frogs
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Water snakes (don’t worry — they’re shy!)
🔗 Handy Links
Planning ahead? Here’s where to click:
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📞 Park Contact: (410) 632-2566
💡 There’s also a Park Reservation Portal if you want to combine this day with a future camping night (see Blog 3 for that!).
🧾 Budget Breakdown
Item | Cost |
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Boat rental (30 mins x 2) | $30 total |
DIY lunch/snacks | $0 |
Gas roundtrip | ~$5–10 |
TOTAL | $30 or less! 🎉 |
Want to mix it up? Do 1 boat ride + post-paddle ice cream in Snow Hill — also fits the budget and adds a sweet ending to the day.
🧒 Why Kids Love It
This trip checks all the kid-approved boxes:
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Feels like a real adventure without long car rides
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They get to steer something (!)
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Endless opportunities for splashing, pretending, and spotting animals
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No screens, but zero boredom
📣 Real quote from a 7-year-old: “I saw a bird with legs like a dinosaur and it pooped in the water! BEST. DAY. EVER.”
👏 Why You’ll Love It
You’re outside, your kids are unplugged and totally engaged, and you didn’t have to spend $100 to make it happen. That’s a win.
Plus, being out on the river? It’s peaceful. Like… actually peaceful. You can hear the wind in the trees and the soft slap of paddles in the water. It’s the kind of quiet that makes you feel recharged, even with kids in tow.
And when you scroll back through your photos that night? You’ll see it — the sun on their faces, the goofy life jacket grins, and the wild joy of discovery.