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See all 2 routes on Catoctin Creek

Maryland | Frederick County / Central Maryland

Catoctin CreekDoub's Meadow Park to Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center

A long but gentle upper Catoctin Creek moving-water section from the public Doub’s Meadow Park access near US 40 to Frederick County’s Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center. American Whitewater rates the full corridor Class I–II and documents multiple public or park access contexts, but shallow water and fallen trees demand a conservative, daylight-rich plan.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 16.2 river miles from Doub’s Meadow Park to Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center
DifficultyModerate
Typical time5–9 hours depending on stage
ShuttleCar shuttle
Two paddlers move downstream on the Monocacy River beneath wooded banks in Maryland.
Route photoMonocacy River Water Trail paddling contextPhoto by Saki / National Park Service

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceApproximately 16.2 river miles from Doub’s Meadow Park to Catoctin Creek Park & Nature CenterDoub's Meadow Park to Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center
DifficultymoderateThe source describes recreational moving water, but shallow rock, current, cold water, debris, and bridge or access hazards remain material.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage at Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center, confirm the water-access carry, then shuttle to Doub’s Meadow Park. Carry a map and plan an early turn-around if the stage, wood, or daylight margin is not favorable.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow Frederick County park rules, current park hours, posted water-access restrictions, Maryland boating/PFD rules, and private-property boundaries. No route-specific paddling permit is claimed.
CampingOptions nearbyNeither named endpoint is an on-route campsite. The broader Catoctin/C&O corridor has separate lodging and camping options, but confirm them independently; park water access does not imply overnight permission.
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.

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A long but gentle upper Catoctin Creek moving-water section from the public Doub’s Meadow Park access near US 40 to Frederick County’s Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center. American Whitewater rates the full corridor Class I–II and documents multiple public or park access contexts, but shallow water and fallen trees demand a conservative, daylight-rich plan.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Doub's Meadow Park near US 40 / MD 17
Open mapDirections to put-in

American Whitewater recommends Doub's Meadow Park rather than the US 40 bridge shoulder. Confirm town-park parking, carry, and water entry before launch.

Finish

Take-out

Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center water access
Open mapDirections to take-out

Catoctin Creek Park’s official map marks Water Access but does not guarantee a convenient boat landing for every craft. Verify the trail, bank, hours, and current restrictions.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • American Whitewater recommends Doub's Meadow Park rather than the US 40 bridge shoulder. Confirm town-park parking, carry, and water entry before launch.
  • Catoctin Creek Park’s official map marks Water Access but does not guarantee a convenient boat landing for every craft. Verify the trail, bank, hours, and current restrictions.
  • The direct USGS station is on the same Catoctin Creek near MD 17, but tributaries, local rain, wood, and shallow upper-reach conditions can differ materially.

Watch for

  • USGS 01637500 stage and trend
  • 2.4 ft conservative planning floor, shallow riffles, low-water bridges, fallen trees, bridge hydraulics, cold water, and fast rise
  • Doub’s Meadow and Catoctin Creek Park hours, parking, water-access carry, and private-bank boundaries

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

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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

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

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

Two paddlers move downstream on the Monocacy River beneath wooded banks in Maryland.
Monocacy River Water Trail paddling contextPhoto by Saki / National Park Service
National Park Service public-agency image

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 corridorDoub's Meadow Park to Catoctin Creek Park, approximately 16.2 miles, Class I–II

    American Whitewater describes the route, recommended endpoints, public park access, gauge, shallow-water context, and bridge/strainer hazards.

    Source

  • Authoritative public accessDoub’s Meadow town park and Frederick County Catoctin Creek Park water access

    Town and county park sources establish the public park context; current water entry remains a launch-day check.

    Source

  • Direct flow evidenceUSGS 01637500 Catoctin Creek near Middletown; approximately 2.4 ft conservative planning floor

    USGS documents the same-river stage station at MD 17; American Whitewater provides route-specific low-water context.

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01637500, Catoctin Creek near Middletown, 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 Maryland moving-water image used as regional corridor context; it does not certify Catoctin 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

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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

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Maryland route guideBrowse every tracked Maryland route.Frederick County / Central MarylandJump to routes in this region.

More on Catoctin Creek

All 2
Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center to C&O Lander Boat Ramp / PotomacFrederick County / Central MarylandModerate · Approximately 10.1 moving-water miles from Catoctin Creek Park to the C&O Lander Boat Ramp at the Potomac

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Antietam CreekDevil’s Backbone Park to MD 34 / Porterstown Bridge · about 8 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 7.9 Antietam Creek miles from Devil’s Backbone Park to MD 34Antietam CreekMD 34 / Porterstown Bridge to Antietam Creek C&O Campground and Potomac confluence · about 9 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 5.8 river miles, American Whitewater Lower Antietam/Burnside Bridge SectionMonocacy RiverDevilbiss Bridge to Gambrill Mill at Monocacy National Battlefield · about 10 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 12.7 river miles, official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail Section 2Potomac RiverTaylors Landing Boat Ramp to Snyders Landing Boat Ramp · about 11 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 4.3 river miles downstream from C&O Canal mile 80.9 to mile 76.6

Quick answers

Catoctin Creek paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Doub's Meadow Park to Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center route on the Catoctin 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 Doub's Meadow Park to Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center route on the Catoctin Creek start and end?

This route starts at Doub's Meadow Park near US 40 / MD 17 and ends at Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center water access, Approximately 16.2 river miles from Doub’s Meadow Park to Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center on the water.

Is the Doub's Meadow Park to Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center route on the Catoctin Creek suitable for beginners?

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

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