Paddle the Potomac River, Maryland and West Virginia, USA
WHAT MAKES THIS AREA UNIQUE?
If you love history, this is the paddle destination for you! Re-trace the waterways used by early explorers such as Captain John Smith, walk the now-dry locks of the C&O canal and explore historical civil war sites in Harper’s Ferry, WV. The upper Potomac is the part of this water trail best-suited for multi-day trips, and offers pastoral views, abundant bird life, splashing riffles, established campsites and ready access to the C&O Towpath, a well-used bike path along the canal which was once used to transport goods past the raging class five rapids of Big Falls and other sections of whitewater that were unnavigable by freight vessels.
WHAT YOU’LL SEE: deciduous forest, wildflowers, farmland, deer, raccoon, owls, porcupine, many species of waterfowl.
WATER FEATURES: Flatwater, riffles, class I-V+ rapids.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: May-July
ROUTE OPTIONS:
Y Day Trip
Y Weekend Trip
Y 4 to 7-day trip
Y 7 to 14-day trip
N Loop trip
Y Shuttle service nearby
POTENTIAL HAZARDS: This river is prone to flooding, rapids, some sections become too dry to float during drought.
WHERE TO FIND MAPS/CHARTS: https://www.potomacriver.org/resources/maps/upper-potomac-map-sets/
PERMITS REQUIRED? No.
PETS ALLOWED? Yes.
POTOMAC RIVER 3-DAY ITINERARY : 32.7 MILES TOTAL
Day 1
Drop your boats at Oldtown Toll Bridge (no parking here).
Park your car at Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp, Little Orleans, MD
Get a shuttle ride to Oldtown Toll Bridge. Paddle 12.2 miles to camp at Paw Paw Campground. Be sure to explore the historic Paw Paw Tunnel.
Day 2
Paddle 12.1 miles to camp river left at Stickpile Hill Campsite.
Day 3
Paddle 8.4 miles to take out at Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp.
INFORMATION
Green Ridge State Forest Office: (301) 478-3124
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THIS AREA
Kayaking, whitewater rafting, biking, museums and historical sites.