The Purple Trail in the central Blackwater River can be accessed at both the refuge's soft launch on Route 335 at the Blackwater River Bridge, and the Shorters Wharf public boat ramp on Maple Dam Road. Here, big cordgrass and saltmarsh cordgrass thrive. There is a high overall salinity and low diversity of plant species. In late July and August, marsh hibiscus is covered in white and pink blooms. This trail is 8 miles one way. Water trail are open daily, dawn to dusk, but the Purple Trail is closed seasonally October 1st - March 31st to limit disturbance to wintering waterfowl.

Going 2-3 miles per hour, this trail can be paddled in 3 to 4.5 hours.