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Maryland | Charles County / Southern Maryland

Charles County Water TrailsMattingly Park to Smallwood State Park

A one-way tidal Mattawoman Creek paddle between Mattingly Park’s floating soft launch and the kayak launch at Sweden Point in Smallwood State Park.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 4.5 miles downstream from Mattingly Park to Smallwood State Park
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeEstimated 2–5 hours
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 4.5 miles downstream from Mattingly Park to Smallwood State ParkMattingly Park to Smallwood State Park
DifficultymoderateTidal water, wind and motorboat wakes control exposure. Sheltered creeks and open Potomac water require different skills; plan for the named trail and inspect the actual launch and landing.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage a vehicle at Smallwood’s kayak launch and arrange a one-way shuttle to Mattingly Park. At Mattingly use the floating paddle launch down the gravel path to the right of the motorboat ramp. Confirm both parks’ launch fees, hours and event closures before staging.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow Town of Indian Head daylight access and current launch-fee rules. Smallwood boating access is restricted to park hours and can close for events; check the DNR park notice and fees before departure.
CampingDay tripSmallwood has reservable camping. Book separately and confirm overnight vehicle and launch arrangements; this day trip does not authorize creek-bank 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.

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A one-way tidal Mattawoman Creek paddle between Mattingly Park’s floating soft launch and the kayak launch at Sweden Point in Smallwood State Park.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Mattingly Park / Slavin’s Dock floating soft launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use Mattingly Park at 105 Mattingly Avenue in Indian Head; follow the gravel path to the floating paddle launch.

Finish

Take-out

Smallwood State Park / Sweden Point kayak launch
Open mapDirections to take-out

Paddle launches are separate from the motorboat ramps. Published points identify those facilities, not the day’s usable waterline.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use Mattingly Park at 105 Mattingly Avenue in Indian Head; follow the gravel path to the floating paddle launch.
  • Paddle launches are separate from the motorboat ramps. Published points identify those facilities, not the day’s usable waterline.
  • The county’s approximately 4.5 miles is a trail distance, not a measured length of the generalized map line.

Watch for

  • USGS 01658000 upstream Mattawoman context; local tide and observed depth
  • Mattingly gravel-path soft launch, Sweden Point kayak launch, motor traffic and park closures

Plan this paddle

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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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.

  • Published water-trail itineraryApproximately 4.5 miles downstream from Mattingly Park to Smallwood State Park

    Charles County’s 2014 second edition names this trail and its distance or options. Trip direction and return logistics are stated separately; the brochure is not a current opening notice.

    Source

  • Access sites and limitsMattingly Park / Slavin’s Dock floating soft launch to Smallwood State Park / Sweden Point kayak launch

    DNR access GIS features 537 and 503 identify the floating paddle launches, separately from motorboat ramps. Current park pages control hours, fees and event closures.

    Source

  • Current access managementCheck the named manager before staging

    Follow Town of Indian Head daylight access and current launch-fee rules. Smallwood boating access is restricted to park hours and can close for events; check the DNR park notice and fees before departure.

    Source

  • Station contextUSGS 01658000 on upstream Mattawoman Creek near Pomonkey is same-creek context, not a tidal-route measurement or score cutoff.

    No numerical local paddling threshold is published for this trail. Tide, wind, current, depth and observed access control the plan.

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01658000, Mattawoman Creek near Pomonkey, MD

    This is a clearly labeled proxy or route-context station; local water, tributaries, releases, and weather can differ materially.

    Source

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

    Regional Maryland river photograph; it does not depict or verify this tidal trail, its access or current conditions.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

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

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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.

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More on Charles County Water Trails

All 4
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Nearby routes within 75 miles

St. Mary’s County Water TrailsWicomico Shores Landing to Bushwood Wharf · about 22 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 8 miles one way, with Chaptico Wharf at approximately 5 miles as an intermediate public endpointCalvert County Water TrailsKings Landing Park to Cocktown Creek loop · about 26 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 3 miles round trip, shorter turnarounds permittedAnacostia River Water TrailBladensburg Waterfront Park to Anacostia Park boat ramp · about 27 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 9 miles one way from Bladensburg to Anacostia ParkPatuxent RiverSelby’s Landing to Clyde Watson Boating Area · about 27 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 13.5 river miles from Selby’s Landing to Clyde Watson

Quick answers

Charles County Water Trails paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Mattingly Park to Smallwood State Park route on the Charles County Water Trails?

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 Mattingly Park to Smallwood State Park route on the Charles County Water Trails start and end?

This route starts at Mattingly Park / Slavin’s Dock floating soft launch and ends at Smallwood State Park / Sweden Point kayak launch, Approximately 4.5 miles downstream from Mattingly Park to Smallwood State Park on the water.

Is the Mattingly Park to Smallwood State Park route on the Charles County Water Trails 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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