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Maryland | Allegany County / Western Maryland
North Branch Potomac RiverMcCoole Boat Access to Gary Yoder / Black Oak Soft Launch
A bounded Class I North Branch Potomac reach from the McCoole public soft launch through the Keyser/river-island and rock-outcrop corridor to the Gary Yoder/Black Oak soft launch, ending before the separately reviewed Black Oak-to-Fairgrounds reach.
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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 bounded Class I North Branch Potomac reach from the McCoole public soft launch through the Keyser/river-island and rock-outcrop corridor to the Gary Yoder/Black Oak soft launch, ending before the separately reviewed Black Oak-to-Fairgrounds reach.
Access map
Put-in
McCoole Boat AccessMcCoole and Gary Yoder/Black Oak are public Maryland non-motorized access sites, but both have unimproved carries and limited parking; McCoole is gated and Black Oak requires an active-railroad crossing.
Take-out
Gary Yoder / Black Oak Soft LaunchThe Luke gauge is proxy context and cannot certify local depth, release timing, debris, wind, or take-out conditions.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- McCoole and Gary Yoder/Black Oak are public Maryland non-motorized access sites, but both have unimproved carries and limited parking; McCoole is gated and Black Oak requires an active-railroad crossing.
- The Luke gauge is proxy context and cannot certify local depth, release timing, debris, wind, or take-out conditions.
- End at Gary Yoder/Black Oak before the separately reviewed Black Oak-to-Fairgrounds route and its Cumberland dam boundary.
Watch for
- USGS 01598500 at Luke proxy, current releases, 400-cfs planning minimum, 2,400-cfs upper planning context, trend, local rainfall, and fast rise
- shallow rock, small ledges, strainers, islands/rock outcrops, cold water, wind, and railroad/bridge traffic
- McCoole gate/road/carry, Black Oak hard take-out, active railroad crossing, muddy bank, poison ivy, and daylight
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.
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
North Branch Potomac River at Luke, 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
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
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 corridorMcCoole to Gary Yoder / Black Oak, approximately 6 miles, Class I planning section
Allegany County publishes the access sequence and approximate distance; the North Branch flow-range review identifies the section as a distinct Class I reach.
- Authoritative public accessMcCoole Boat Access and Gary Yoder / Black Oak Soft Launch
Maryland DNR documents the McCoole public site and Gary Yoder site; American Whitewater adds the Black Oak landing, carry, and railroad-crossing logistics.
- Proxy flow evidenceUSGS 01598500 at Luke with 400–2,400 cfs North Branch planning range
The gauge is proxy context for this reach; combine current release information with local water depth, weather, trend, and visual inspection.
- Camping postureNo route camping at the access sites
Access and outdoor services are documented separately; no riverbank, island, railroad, or launch-area camping is claimed.
- 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.
- Approved route imageryRights-cleared public-agency or public-domain corridor image
Rights-cleared public-domain C&O/Potomac corridor image used as Western Maryland river context; it does not certify North Branch flow, access, or hazards.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- American Whitewater Westernport/Keyser Section
- Maryland DNR McCoole public water access
- Maryland DNR Gary Yoder / Black Oak public water access
- Allegany County Potomac River access and distances
- North Branch Potomac water-trail context
- North Branch Potomac at Luke current conditions
- North Branch flow-range review
- USGS 01598500 monitoring location
- USGS 01598500 current conditions
- Approved corridor image
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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Keep exploring
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Quick answers
North Branch Potomac River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the McCoole Boat Access to Gary Yoder / Black Oak Soft Launch 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 McCoole Boat Access to Gary Yoder / Black Oak Soft Launch route on the North Branch Potomac River start and end?
This route starts at McCoole Boat Access and ends at Gary Yoder / Black Oak Soft Launch, Approximately 6 river miles from McCoole to Gary Yoder / Black Oak on the water.
Is the McCoole Boat Access to Gary Yoder / Black Oak Soft Launch route on the North Branch Potomac 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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