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See all 4 routes on North Branch Potomac River

Maryland | Allegany County / Western Maryland

North Branch Potomac RiverGary Yoder / Black Oak River Access near Rawlings to Allegany County Fairgrounds

A long, mostly Class I North Branch Potomac route through the wooded Pinto Cliffs corridor from the public Gary Yoder/Black Oak soft launch to the Allegany County Fairgrounds ramp. The reach has good current and scenic cliffs, but access logistics, shallow rocky water, strainers, active railroad crossings, and a downstream Cumberland dam require a deliberate boundary plan.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 16.4 river miles from Black Oak to the short Allegany Fairgrounds take-out
DifficultyModerate
Typical time5–9 hours depending on flow
ShuttleCar shuttle
The historic Town Creek Aqueduct crosses the C&O Canal corridor beside the Potomac River in Maryland.
Route photoC&O Canal and Potomac River corridor at Town CreekPhoto by Wikimedia Commons

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 16.4 river miles from Black Oak to the short Allegany Fairgrounds take-outGary Yoder / Black Oak River Access near Rawlings to Allegany County Fairgrounds
DifficultymoderateThe source describes recreational moving water, but shallow rock, current, cold water, debris, and bridge or access hazards remain material.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage at the Allegany County Fairgrounds ramp, then shuttle to Black Oak. Plan a long one-way shuttle, verify both access areas, keep the active railroad crossing clear, and preserve daylight for the shallow rocky route and hard Fairgrounds take-out.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow Maryland boating/PFD requirements, county access rules, NPS/Upper Potomac water-trail notices, private-property and railroad boundaries, current closures, and the Cumberland dam warning. No route-specific paddling permit is claimed.
CampingOptions nearbyThe broader North Branch water trail has separate camping opportunities, but neither named endpoint is claimed as on-route camping. Arrange a separately confirmed campground or lodging basecamp and do not camp at the access areas without 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

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A long, mostly Class I North Branch Potomac route through the wooded Pinto Cliffs corridor from the public Gary Yoder/Black Oak soft launch to the Allegany County Fairgrounds ramp. The reach has good current and scenic cliffs, but access logistics, shallow rocky water, strainers, active railroad crossings, and a downstream Cumberland dam require a deliberate boundary plan.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Gary Yoder / Black Oak Soft Launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

American Whitewater documents Black Oak/Gary Yoder as a public non-motorized soft launch but notes the active railroad crossing, wet-weather mud, gravel carry, poison ivy, and slippery bank. Verify field conditions and do not trespass.

Finish

Take-out

Allegany County Fairgrounds Boat Access
Open mapDirections to take-out

The Maryland public-access record documents the Fairgrounds ramp, parking, soft launch, and no fee; confirm current county operations and keep the take-out before the Cumberland dam.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • American Whitewater documents Black Oak/Gary Yoder as a public non-motorized soft launch but notes the active railroad crossing, wet-weather mud, gravel carry, poison ivy, and slippery bank. Verify field conditions and do not trespass.
  • The Maryland public-access record documents the Fairgrounds ramp, parking, soft launch, and no fee; confirm current county operations and keep the take-out before the Cumberland dam.
  • The Luke station is upstream of the reach and is explicitly treated as proxy context. Local tributary rain and shallow channel conditions can differ materially from the reading.

Watch for

  • USGS 01598500 at Luke upstream proxy, 391-cfs AW low-runnable planning context, stage/trend and local rainfall
  • cold water, shallow rocky gravel bars, strainers, cliffs, fast rise, thunderstorms, and long-route fatigue
  • Black Oak active railroad crossing/carry, Fairgrounds parking/ramp, Cumberland dam boundary, and daylight

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

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Route gallery

Photos

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

The historic Town Creek Aqueduct crosses the C&O Canal corridor beside the Potomac River in Maryland.
C&O Canal and Potomac River corridor at Town CreekPhoto by Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: public domain

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 corridorBlack Oak to Allegany Fairgrounds, approximately 16.4 miles, Class I

    American Whitewater names the route, access points, low-runnable context, long/short take-outs, and shallow/strainer hazards.

    Source

  • Authoritative public accessGary Yoder/Black Oak non-motorized soft launch and Allegany County Fairgrounds ramp

    American Whitewater documents the Black Oak launch logistics; Maryland’s public-access record documents the Fairgrounds owner, ramp, parking, soft access, no fee, and dam warning.

    Source

  • Proxy flow evidenceUSGS 01598500 at Luke; 391 cfs AW low-runnable planning context

    The gauge is upstream proxy context for a regulated North Branch system; combine trend with local depth, rain, and visual inspection.

    Source

  • Corridor and camping contextNorth Branch Potomac Water Trail from Jennings Randolph Lake toward Cumberland

    Visit Maryland identifies the official North Branch water-trail corridor and public access/camping network.

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01598500, North Branch Potomac River at Luke, 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

    Rights-cleared C&O/Potomac corridor image used as regional Western Maryland river context; it does not certify North Branch flow, access, or hazards.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

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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.Allegany County / Western MarylandJump to routes in this region.

More on North Branch Potomac River

All 4
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Nearby routes within 75 miles

Potomac RiverPaw Paw Tunnel Campground to Bond's Landing · about 26 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 12 river miles, Maryland DNR Green Ridge State Forest Paw Paw to Bond’s Landing legCacapon RiverCacapon Crossing public access to Fishers Ford Bridge public access · about 28 straight-line mi awayEasy · 18 miCacapon RiverWV 127 Bridge public access to Cacapon Crossing public access · about 28 straight-line mi awayEasy · 9 miPotomac RiverBond's Landing to Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little Orleans · about 29 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 9 river miles, Maryland DNR Green Ridge State Forest Bond’s Landing to Fifteen Mile Creek leg

Quick answers

North Branch Potomac River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Gary Yoder / Black Oak River Access near Rawlings to Allegany County Fairgrounds route on the North Branch Potomac 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 Gary Yoder / Black Oak River Access near Rawlings to Allegany County Fairgrounds route on the North Branch Potomac River start and end?

This route starts at Gary Yoder / Black Oak Soft Launch and ends at Allegany County Fairgrounds Boat Access, Approximately 16.4 river miles from Black Oak to the short Allegany Fairgrounds take-out on the water.

Is the Gary Yoder / Black Oak River Access near Rawlings to Allegany County Fairgrounds route on the North Branch Potomac River 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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