See all 3 routes on Gunpowder Falls
Maryland | Baltimore County / Central Maryland
Gunpowder FallsPrettyboy Reservoir tailwater to Falls Road
A short, cold Prettyboy Reservoir tailwater run through the Gunpowder Gorge. The reach is Class I–III with a concentrated Class III section, a difficult carry-in, limited designated parking, and mandatory helmet/PFD posture from Maryland DNR.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
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 short, cold Prettyboy Reservoir tailwater run through the Gunpowder Gorge. The reach is Class I–III with a concentrated Class III section, a difficult carry-in, limited designated parking, and mandatory helmet/PFD posture from Maryland DNR.
Access map
Put-in
Gunpowder Gorge downstream Prettyboy access trailThe upstream point is an access-trail anchor described by American Whitewater and public recreation guidance; verify current parking, gate status, carry condition, and legal water entry before launch.
Take-out
Falls Road Gunpowder Falls State Park accessThe Falls Road coordinate is the public river-crossing parking/access anchor, not permission to park on the bridge or shoulder. American Whitewater says the take-out is river right and parking is in the designated lot uphill.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- The upstream point is an access-trail anchor described by American Whitewater and public recreation guidance; verify current parking, gate status, carry condition, and legal water entry before launch.
- The Falls Road coordinate is the public river-crossing parking/access anchor, not permission to park on the bridge or shoulder. American Whitewater says the take-out is river right and parking is in the designated lot uphill.
- Flow is regulated by Prettyboy Reservoir. USGS notes that tributary and storm inflows can affect conditions between the dam, gauge, and access trail.
Watch for
- USGS 01581920 discharge, stage, and trend
- 72.5–900 cfs AW correlation, cold 45–50°F tailwater, Class III rapids, strainers, fishermen, and fast rise
- Prettyboy access gate/carry, Falls Road designated lot, PFD/helmet requirements, and the hard Falls Road take-out
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check how the river is changing and what weather to expect.
USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Gunpowder Falls near Parkton, MD. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Gunpowder Falls near Parkton, MD |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 120 cfs to 500 cfs |
| Low threshold | 73 cfs |
| High threshold | 900 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater Gunpowder Gorge flow correlation |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
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 corridorPrettyboy tailwater to Falls Road, 2.1 miles, Class I–III
American Whitewater names the reach, access trail, take-out, gauge relationship, runnable correlation, and rapid hazards.
- Authoritative public access and safetyGunpowder Falls State Park Hereford Area and designated Falls Road parking/access
Maryland DNR establishes the state-park river rules, cold-water conditions, difficulty range, and helmet/PFD requirements; Maryland recreation guidance provides the named parking anchors.
- Direct flow evidenceUSGS 01581920 near Parkton; American Whitewater 72.5–900 cfs runnable correlation
USGS is on the same regulated tailwater reach and American Whitewater ties the numeric correlation to this route.
- Live gaugeUSGS 01581920, Gunpowder Falls near Parkton, MD
This is a direct same-river station. Readings are provisional and must be combined with trend and visual conditions.
- Approved route imageryRights-cleared public-agency or public-domain corridor image
Rights-cleared Maryland public river image used as regional moving-water context; it does not certify Gunpowder Gorge conditions or access.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Quick answers
Gunpowder Falls paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Prettyboy Reservoir tailwater to Falls Road route on the Gunpowder Falls?
Paddle Today watches Gunpowder Falls near Parkton, MD and treats 120 cfs to 500 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Prettyboy Reservoir tailwater to Falls Road route on the Gunpowder Falls start and end?
This route starts at Gunpowder Gorge downstream Prettyboy access trail and ends at Falls Road Gunpowder Falls State Park access, 2.1 miles from the downstream Prettyboy access trail to Falls Road on the water.
Is the Prettyboy Reservoir tailwater to Falls Road route on the Gunpowder Falls suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.
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