Paddle TodayFind the best paddle near you today

Live score, water level, and weather.

Maryland | Carroll County / Central Maryland

Big Pipe CreekHapes Mill Road soft launch to Double Pipe Creek Park

A family-oriented central Maryland moving-water reach on the Carroll County Pipe Creek Water Trail. Big Pipe Creek is mostly smooth Class I–II water with shallow gravel, wandering channels, private banks, and a notable three-foot railroad-trestle dam requiring a short carry before the Double Pipe Creek Park endpoint.

Route location

Loading the route map.

Open access map

Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 8 river miles from Hapes Mill Road to Double Pipe Creek Park; route distance varies with channel and water level
DifficultyEasy
Typical time3–6 hours depending on water level
ShuttleCar shuttle
The historic Detour Road Bridge crosses Big Pipe Creek in Catoctin, Maryland.
Route photoBig Pipe Creek at Detour Road Bridge; same-creek contextPhoto by Carol M. Highsmith / Library of Congress via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
View Primary Source
Embed this route

Route alerts

Email me when this route improves

We'll email you when this route climbs into Good or Strong. Every email includes an unsubscribe link.

We only email on a new threshold crossing.

Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceApproximately 8 river miles from Hapes Mill Road to Double Pipe Creek Park; route distance varies with channel and water levelHapes Mill Road soft launch to Double Pipe Creek Park
DifficultyeasyThe source describes recreational moving water, but shallow rock, current, cold water, debris, and bridge or access hazards remain material.
ShuttleCar shuttleLeave a vehicle at Double Pipe Creek Park, then shuttle to the Hapes Mill Road soft launch. Park only in designated areas, preserve daylight for the railroad-trestle carry, and do not use private farm lanes or unmarked shoulders.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow Carroll County water-trail rules, posted hours, designated parking, current closures, Maryland boating/PFD requirements, and private-property restrictions. No route-specific paddling permit is claimed.
CampingDay tripNo on-route campsite is identified by the Pipe Creek Water Trail sources. Arrange separate lodging or a confirmed nearby campground; the county water-trail parking and park access do not imply overnight camping.
SeasonMar-NovSpring through fall is the practical planning season, but Maryland water levels, recent rain, temperature, debris, and daylight control every launch decision.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

Waiting on forecast.

Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A family-oriented central Maryland moving-water reach on the Carroll County Pipe Creek Water Trail. Big Pipe Creek is mostly smooth Class I–II water with shallow gravel, wandering channels, private banks, and a notable three-foot railroad-trestle dam requiring a short carry before the Double Pipe Creek Park endpoint.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

End of map
Start

Put-in

Hapes Mill Road Big Pipe Creek soft launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

Hapes Mill Road is a soft launch with limited/overflow roadside parking; use the county-designated site and do not block traffic or private driveways.

Finish

Take-out

Double Pipe Creek Park soft access
Open mapDirections to take-out

Double Pipe Creek Park uses a steep bank access. Confirm the bank, steps/slide, waterline, and parking before bringing a heavy boat.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Hapes Mill Road is a soft launch with limited/overflow roadside parking; use the county-designated site and do not block traffic or private driveways.
  • Double Pipe Creek Park uses a steep bank access. Confirm the bank, steps/slide, waterline, and parking before bringing a heavy boat.
  • The route’s gauge is on Big Pipe Creek at Bruceville and provides same-corridor context; local rainfall, tributary inflow, debris, and the Little Pipe confluence can differ materially.

Watch for

  • USGS 01639500 gage height and trend
  • 0.84 ft low-water context, shallow gravel, fallen trees, beaver dams, barbed wire, fast rise, and cold water
  • railroad-trestle dam carry, designated parking, steep Double Pipe bank, posted hours, and private-bank boundaries

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.

Browser plans

Browser plans stay on this device. Sharing opens your device’s share tools or gives you text to copy.

Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.

Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

Checking preferred range.

Checking trend.

------------

Weather

Hourly forecast

Checking weather.

Loading today's forecast.

Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

Checking the next several hours.

Checking the best short-route window.
----Loading--

Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The historic Detour Road Bridge crosses Big Pipe Creek in Catoctin, Maryland.
Big Pipe Creek at Detour Road Bridge; same-creek contextPhoto by Carol M. Highsmith / Library of Congress via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: Public domain

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named moving-water corridorHapes Mill Road to Double Pipe Creek Park, Class I–II, approximately 8 miles

    American Whitewater lists the route and Carroll County’s water-trail materials identify the launch, endpoint, water-trail rules, and dam portage.

    Source

  • Authoritative public accessCarroll County Hapes Mill Road soft launch and Double Pipe Creek Park

    The county water-trail page identifies both designated access areas and parking rules.

    Source

  • Direct flow evidenceUSGS 01639500 Big Pipe Creek at Bruceville; American Whitewater approximately 0.84 ft context

    USGS identifies the continuous station near Bruceville and the route’s drainage context; American Whitewater provides the route-specific runnable context.

    Source

  • Dam boundaryThree-foot railroad-trestle dam requires a short carry

    The county water-trail guidance and American Whitewater route description establish the mandatory portage.

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01639500, Big Pipe Creek at Bruceville, MD

    This is a direct same-river station. Readings are provisional and must be combined with trend and visual conditions.

    Source

  • Approved route imageryRights-cleared public-agency or public-domain corridor image

    National Park Service Monocacy paddling image used as nearby central-Maryland moving-water context; it does not certify Big Pipe Creek conditions or access.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

Paddler reports

See recent photos and notes from people on the route.

Share your trip

Help build the route page

Add photos or send a quick condition report.

Photos

Upload route photos

Add access, hazard, or on-water photos.

No files selected yet.

Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Maryland

All 131 routes
Maryland route guideBrowse every tracked Maryland route.Carroll County / Central MarylandJump to routes in this region.

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Little Pipe CreekW. Locust Street, Union Bridge to Double Pipe Creek Park · about 5 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 9 river miles from W. Locust Street to Double Pipe Creek ParkMonocacy RiverMaryland Route 77 / Rocky Ridge to Devilbiss Bridge · about 9 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 11.5 river miles, official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail Section 1Monocacy RiverDevilbiss Bridge to Gambrill Mill at Monocacy National Battlefield · about 16 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 12.7 river miles, official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail Section 2Monocacy RiverGambrill Mill at Monocacy National Battlefield to Monocacy Boat Ramp / Dickerson · about 23 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 17.6 river miles, official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail Section 3

Quick answers

Big Pipe Creek paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Hapes Mill Road soft launch to Double Pipe Creek Park route on the Big Pipe Creek?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Hapes Mill Road soft launch to Double Pipe Creek Park route on the Big Pipe Creek start and end?

This route starts at Hapes Mill Road Big Pipe Creek soft launch and ends at Double Pipe Creek Park soft access, Approximately 8 river miles from Hapes Mill Road to Double Pipe Creek Park; route distance varies with channel and water level on the water.

Is the Hapes Mill Road soft launch to Double Pipe Creek Park route on the Big Pipe Creek suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a easy route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

Flag a change

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.

Report a changeEmail update