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Maryland | Charles County / Southern Maryland

Charles County Water TrailsFriendship Landing: Church Creek and Hilltop Fork options

Choose a same-launch creek return from Friendship Landing: the shorter Church Creek option or the longer Hilltop Fork paddle, both within the county’s mapped water-trail network.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 2 miles round trip to Church Creek or 4 miles round trip to Hilltop Fork
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeEstimated 1–4 hours for the chosen creek return
ShuttleNo 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 2 miles round trip to Church Creek or 4 miles round trip to Hilltop ForkFriendship Landing: Church Creek and Hilltop Fork options
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.
ShuttleNo shuttleNo vehicle shuttle is required. Launch and return at Friendship Landing’s floating soft access to the left of the motorboat ramp. Choose the creek option before launch and leave time and energy for the full return.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow Charles County park hours, launch and water-quality notices. The county lists year-round dawn-to-dusk access. Confirm any group or overnight arrangements separately.
CampingOptions nearbyThe older county brochure and DNR access inventory list a primitive campsite. Confirm current county permission and reservations before relying on it; no informal marsh or shoreline camping is authorized.
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

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

Choose a same-launch creek return from Friendship Landing: the shorter Church Creek option or the longer Hilltop Fork paddle, both within the county’s mapped water-trail network.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

End of map
Start

Put-in

Friendship Landing floating soft launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

The approximately 2- and 4-mile figures are estimates in the 2014 brochure for different round-trip options, not cumulative legs or verified measurements for a chosen turnaround.

Finish

Take-out

Friendship Landing soft launch return
Open mapDirections to take-out

The generalized map illustrates the access and Church Creek approach only. It does not locate a two-mile turnaround or measure either option. Use the full county map and current navigation information to choose and bound the paddle.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The approximately 2- and 4-mile figures are estimates in the 2014 brochure for different round-trip options, not cumulative legs or verified measurements for a chosen turnaround.
  • The generalized map illustrates the access and Church Creek approach only. It does not locate a two-mile turnaround or measure either option. Use the full county map and current navigation information to choose and bound the paddle.
  • No intermediate shoreline is published here as a public take-out. Return to the same named launch and keep the open Potomac continuation outside this plan.

Watch for

  • USGS 01660795 regional context; local tide, wind and observed depth
  • Church Creek and Hilltop Fork junctions, shallow fingers, park hours, water-quality notices and daylight for return

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

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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

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Next 8 hours

Short-route 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 2 miles round trip to Church Creek or 4 miles round trip to Hilltop Fork

    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 limitsFriendship Landing floating soft launch to Friendship Landing soft launch return

    DNR GIS feature 397 identifies the floating soft launch, separate from the ramp at feature 58. The current county park page confirms public dawn-to-dusk access. Older campsite listings require present county confirmation.

    Source

  • Current access managementCheck the named manager before staging

    Follow Charles County park hours, launch and water-quality notices. The county lists year-round dawn-to-dusk access. Confirm any group or overnight arrangements separately.

    Source

  • Station contextUSGS 01660795 near Newburg is regional Potomac context, not a local tide, safe-depth or paddling cutoff.

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

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01660795, Potomac River near Newburg, 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.

Reports

Paddler reports

See recent photos and notes from people on the route.

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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.

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Maryland route guideBrowse every tracked Maryland route.Charles County / Southern MarylandJump to routes in this region.

More on Charles County Water Trails

All 4
Chapel Point State Park to Port Tobacco MarinaCharles County / Southern MarylandModerate · Approximately 2.5 miles one way between Chapel Point and Port Tobacco MarinaMattingly Park to Smallwood State ParkCharles County / Southern MarylandModerate · Approximately 4.5 miles downstream from Mattingly Park to Smallwood State ParkPurse area beach to Mallows Bay ParkCharles County / Southern MarylandModerate · Approximately 3 miles one way between Purse and Mallows Bay

Nearby routes within 75 miles

St. Mary’s County Water TrailsWicomico Shores Landing to Bushwood Wharf · about 17 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 8 miles one way, with Chaptico Wharf at approximately 5 miles as an intermediate public endpointRappahannock RiverMotts Run to Old Mill Park, Fredericksburg · about 23 straight-line mi awayHard · 4.5 river miles to Old Mill Park (American Whitewater reach continues to 6.8 miles with optional City Docks takeout)Calvert County Water TrailsHallowing Point to Caney Creek and Benedict Community Park · about 27 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 4 miles round trip into Caney Creek; the Hallowing Point to Benedict crossing is just over 1 mile round tripCalvert County Water TrailsKings Landing Park to Cocktown Creek loop · about 28 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 3 miles round trip, shorter turnarounds permitted

Quick answers

Charles County Water Trails paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Friendship Landing: Church Creek and Hilltop Fork options 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 Friendship Landing: Church Creek and Hilltop Fork options route on the Charles County Water Trails start and end?

This route starts at Friendship Landing floating soft launch and ends at Friendship Landing soft launch return, Approximately 2 miles round trip to Church Creek or 4 miles round trip to Hilltop Fork on the water.

Is the Friendship Landing: Church Creek and Hilltop Fork options 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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