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Maryland | Frederick County / Central Maryland

Monocacy RiverDevilbiss Bridge to Gambrill Mill at Monocacy National Battlefield

The middle section of Maryland’s official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail from Devilbiss Bridge through the historic Monocacy Battlefield corridor to Gambrill Mill. It is a moving-water day trip with public park access and a hard take-out before the downstream section.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 12.7 river miles, official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail Section 2
DifficultyEasy
Typical time4–7 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 12.7 river miles, official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail Section 2Devilbiss Bridge to Gambrill Mill at Monocacy National Battlefield
DifficultyeasyThe source describes recreational moving water, but shallow rock, current, cold water, debris, and bridge or access hazards remain material.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage at the Gambrill Mill Tour Stop 4 access and verify the battlefield road is open, then shuttle to Devilbiss Bridge. Leave daylight for the carry from the road/parking area to the river.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is identified by the water-trail sources. Follow current Maryland boating/PFD rules, park hours, hunting notices, parking instructions, and posted access restrictions.
CampingDay tripNo on-route camping is claimed. Monocacy National Battlefield and the public launches are day-use contexts; arrange a separate legal campground or lodging basecamp.
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

The middle section of Maryland’s official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail from Devilbiss Bridge through the historic Monocacy Battlefield corridor to Gambrill Mill. It is a moving-water day trip with public park access and a hard take-out before the downstream section.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Devilbiss Bridge public launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

The county map and NPS guide describe a mix of paved ramps, gravel beaches, carries, and unimproved access; confirm the current launch surface, parking, hours, and waterline before unloading.

Finish

Take-out

Gambrill Mill Tour Stop 4 public access
Open mapDirections to take-out

The route is divided into official sections, but the river can be run shorter with intermediate public sites. A missed take-out can create a long, unsafe extension, so carry a map and leave daylight margin.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The county map and NPS guide describe a mix of paved ramps, gravel beaches, carries, and unimproved access; confirm the current launch surface, parking, hours, and waterline before unloading.
  • The route is divided into official sections, but the river can be run shorter with intermediate public sites. A missed take-out can create a long, unsafe extension, so carry a map and leave daylight margin.

Watch for

  • USGS 01643000 stage and trend
  • recent rain, fast rise, cold water, shallow rock, floating wood, strainers, bridge hydraulics, and hunting activity
  • muddy or slippery launch areas, park hours, parking capacity, and a hard take-out at the named endpoint
  • Monocacy National Battlefield road, parking, and visitor-use rules at Gambrill Mill

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

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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.

  • Official route segmentDevilbiss Bridge to Gambrill Mill, Section 2 of the Monocacy Scenic Water Trail

    Frederick County names this section and its endpoints in the current trail guide.

    Source

  • Direct flow guidanceAt least 215 cfs or 1.7 ft below Devilbiss; 5 ft or higher hazardous

    NPS publishes the below-Devilbiss threshold and high-water warning.

    Source

  • Battlefield access logisticsUse the Gambrill Mill Tour Stop 4 road and boardwalk area

    NPS specifically warns that common map results near the Urbana Pike bridge can send paddlers to the wrong parking area.

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01643000, Monocacy River at Jug Bridge near Frederick, 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

    NPS-published Monocacy River paddling photograph used as corridor context; it does not certify current water, access, or hazard 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.

Reports

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Photos

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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

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

More on Monocacy River

All 3
Gambrill Mill at Monocacy National Battlefield to Monocacy Boat Ramp / DickersonFrederick County / Central MarylandEasy · Approximately 17.6 river miles, official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail Section 3Maryland Route 77 / Rocky Ridge to Devilbiss BridgeFrederick County / Central MarylandEasy · Approximately 11.5 river miles, official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail Section 1

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Catoctin CreekDoub's Meadow Park to Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center · about 10 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 16.2 river miles from Doub’s Meadow Park to Catoctin Creek Park & Nature CenterLittle Pipe CreekW. Locust Street, Union Bridge to Double Pipe Creek Park · about 11 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 9 river miles from W. Locust Street to Double Pipe Creek ParkCatoctin CreekCatoctin Creek Park & Nature Center to C&O Lander Boat Ramp / Potomac · about 13 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 10.1 moving-water miles from Catoctin Creek Park to the C&O Lander Boat Ramp at the PotomacBig Pipe CreekHapes Mill Road soft launch to Double Pipe Creek Park · about 16 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 8 river miles from Hapes Mill Road to Double Pipe Creek Park; route distance varies with channel and water level

Quick answers

Monocacy River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Devilbiss Bridge to Gambrill Mill at Monocacy National Battlefield route on the Monocacy River?

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 Devilbiss Bridge to Gambrill Mill at Monocacy National Battlefield route on the Monocacy River start and end?

This route starts at Devilbiss Bridge public launch and ends at Gambrill Mill Tour Stop 4 public access, Approximately 12.7 river miles, official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail Section 2 on the water.

Is the Devilbiss Bridge to Gambrill Mill at Monocacy National Battlefield route on the Monocacy River 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.

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