St. Mary’s “L” Loop

Take a day ride or weekend getaway in St. Mary’s County, Md., from Leonardtown to the Piney Point Lighthouse and Chesapeake Bay Field Lab.

Explore this lovely Southern Maryland loop on two wheels as you begin your ride in Leonardtown, then pass through some hills to arrive on the Potomac River at the Piney Point Lighthouse and Museum. Here you can see the oldest lighthouse still standing along the Potomac River.Continue out to St. George’s Island and stop by the Chesapeake Bay Field Lab, a unique piece of waterman history, before you turn around and head back to Leonardtown.

The route leaves Leonardtown on Route 5 South for a short ways until a Right turn onto Medley’s Neck Road/Route 244. At the intersection of 244 and Blake Creek Road, turn Left on Blake Creek and follow to a Right on Piney Point Road/Route 249. A right on Lighthouse Road will lead you along the waterside to Piney Point and the Piney Point Lighthouse and Museum. After a visit to the Lighthouse, return to Piney Point Road and turn Right to continue to Saint George’s Island where you can visit the Chesapeake Bay Field Lab and enjoy a moment where the Potomac and St. Mary’s Rivers meet. To begin your return trip, follow Piney Point Road back out to a Right on Drayden Road. Soon after, turn Left on Flat Iron and follow to Route 5. Cross Route 5 and continue on Indian Bridge Road. Veer Left onto St. Andrews Church Road and follow to a Right on Route 5 North to lead you quickly back into Leonardtown where your hotel and dinner await or where your ride home is parked.

Planning your trip: The Piney Point Lighthouse, Museum and Historic Park hosts the oldest lighthouse still standing along the Potomac River. Pier and picnic facilities are available. Open May through November, Friday – Monday, noon – 5 pm. [phone]. You can ride right up to the Chesapeake Bay Field Lab and see how this old oyster shucking house has been converted to a discovery-style museum. To go inside or take a tour, however, you’ll need an appointment ahead of time. Simply call [phone] or visit www.thebaylab.org. Leonardtown also boasts a Visitors Center and wharf area where water-lovers can launch their kayak or canoe for an entirely different Potomac Heritage experience.

 

Region: Southern Maryland
Activity: Bicycling, Historic Site, Museum/Visitor Center