POPULAR PLACES TO PADDLE

Water Expeditions

From laid back calm waters to adventurous fun rapids, we have many popular places to paddle.

CREEKS & RIVERS

ANTIETAM CREEK WATER TRAIL

A tributary to the Potomac River, Antietam Creek offers year-round paddling for those who want a cold water winter trip or just a serene summer time paddle experience. The Antietam Creek Water Trail identifies access points and float times to help boaters plan trips on this iconic waterway. Best floats occur when the river gauge reads 3.4 ft. With 12 places to launch, visit the online map for additional resources and information to plan your adventure. Click on the link to view the story map of the trail.

Conococheague Creek

The Conococheague Creek (aka the Jig) is a tributary of the Potomac River. It originates near Chambersburg, PA, and crosses under the old C&O Canal aqueduct near Williamsport, Maryland, and then into the Potomac River. It is 80 miles long, with 23 miles in Washington County. The word “Conococheague” is translated from a Delaware Native American tribe, Unami-Lenapi term, òk’chaxk’hanna, which means “many-turns-river.”

We recommend these locations:

The boat ramp in Williamsport is just upstream from its confluence with the Potomac River, with plenty of parking and picnic tables.

River Bottom Park West Salisbury St., Williamsport, MD 21795

To Paddle the Jig near Clear Spring: 12360 Earth Care Road, Hagerstown, MD 21740

Parking is on left hand side of the landfill, prior to crossing the Conococheague Creek.

Potomac River

Also known as the “Nations River” because of its prominent place in history, the Potomac River offers many opportunities for boating, kayaking, and more. There are white water locations, and more calm locations.

Lakes

For beginner paddlers, we recommend these lakes and ponds for ease of input and paddling. They offer lovely mountain views and calm serene waters that are easier to navigate.

Big Pool At Fort Frederick State Park

During the C&O Canal days of operations, this 1.5 miles long pool was a convenient turning point for canal boats. It is a natural depression that was filled with water during C&O Canal construction, within Fort Frederick State Park. There is a boat ramp, gas motors are prohibited.

Fort Frederick State Park, 11100 Fort Frederick Road, Big Pool MD 21711

BLAIR’S VALLEY LAKE AT INDIAN SPRINGS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

Paddle your way around the lake and the songbirds fill the air with color and sound all year long. Visitors may catch a glimpse of white-tailed deer enjoying an evening snack in the farm fields maintained to help feed the animals. In the spring, a hollow drumming fills the forest as ruffed grouse announce their territories and breeding condition.

Blair’s Valley Lake, Blairs Valley Rd, Clear Spring, MD 21722

Greenbrier State Park

For families, Greenbrier State Park is the ideal place to camp, picnic, put your kayak in the lake and soak in the great outdoors. The 42-acre man-made freshwater lake and white sandy beach draw many visitors who enjoy swimming, canoeing, boating and fishing.

Greenbrier State Park

South Mountain Recreation Area 21843 National Pike, Boonsboro MD 21713