Reviews: Sassafras River - Turner Creek

Review for Sassafras River - Turner Creek

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Oct 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Both Garmin and Aqua Maps are incorrect in their buoyage on the entrance to this anchorage. There are two private green markers in the entrance channel and, no matter how wrong it may seem, they must be taken on your port side when entering. Pay no attention to the published depths and channel location on your plotter. Trust the buoys and pass close by to port slowly and you should have no less than 9 feet MLW while you seem to be almost on the bank. The first green is especially alarming as you head towards the bank just off the bank on your starboard side. Once past the second green you are heading towards the state park dock/boat launch you can go back to paying attention to your plotter as the channel is now marked correctly. Anchor in 7 feet MLW in the deep water in a line that can extend back at least several hundred yards with enough room for four or five boats. Holding is very good, protection is excellent, and shore access is easy but there is no shopping in the area. Cellular service is very poor and we spent most of our time with little connectivity. We waited out gale force winds for two days in comfort. The anchor did not budge; we had to use the engine to break it from the bottom. For more information on this wonderful anchorage you can refer to my review of May, 2023.

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Review for Sassafras River - Turner Creek

Reviewed by: Peter Searles, Schuyler, on Jun 13, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 2.5'

Tricky to enter Turner Creek but a beautiful anchorage once inside. We anchored in 6-7 feet of water. The anchor held well and came up very muddy. If you need a cell signal, this is NOT the place for you.

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Review for Sassafras River - Turner Creek

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on May 13, 2023
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Turn off the Sassafras River at Green 3 and head towards the LDB entrance to Turner Creek with a minimum of 11 feet MLW as you approach the two private green entrance marks. Both marks should be taken to port on entering the creek. We found the marks mis-placed on our charting programs. Follow the channel on your chartplotter with no less than 7 feet MLW heading back towards the anchor icon where there is 7 feet MLW with good holding in mud. There is a 2.5 foot major tide in the creek so calculate low water depth before dropping your anchor. East/west wind protection is excellent, north/south is only good due to the available fetch on this axis. There is very good wave protection in the anchorage. Unlike other anchorages on the Sassafras, there is complete wake protection from the river. Boats in the creek traveled at no wake speeds even though it is not marked as a no wake zone. There is a slight tidal current in the river and we swung with the tide. There is room for three or four large boats in a line. We spent a quiet night at anchor with no bouncing. The anchorage is a good heavy weather hole to hide in for the duration.

The eastern shore of the creek is developed with many private docks and boats. The western shore is the State of Maryland Sassafras Natural Resource Management Area (pet friendly) and is accessible from the boat launch. There is no shopping in the area and cell service is poor to fair (1-2 bars). We were here mid-week pre-season and it was quiet. Reports are that it is busy on weekends in season.

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Review for Sassafras River - Turner Creek

Reviewed by: Bruce Stewart, Escape, on May 18, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.0'

Anchored outside the narrows in 8-9', good hold, well protected. great staging spot for a run up to the C&D Canal

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Review for Sassafras River - Turner Creek

Reviewed by: Robert on Oct 7, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.0'

Spent one night 9-18-19 after wasting a full day on dock at Georgetown Yacht Basin waiting for a fuel delivery truck. Thoroughly enjoyed Turner Creek anchored at Lat
39-21.56.6 N LON 075-56.37 W. Good mud and plenty of swing room.

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Review for Sassafras River - Turner Creek

Reviewed by: Skipper Bob on Jun 1, 2016
Draft: 0.0'

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