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See all 4 routes on North Branch Potomac River

Maryland | Allegany County / Western Maryland

North Branch Potomac RiverWesternport Soft Access to McCoole Boat Access

A bounded upper North Branch Potomac moving-water reach from Westernport’s public soft access to the McCoole public access, with small rapids, rocky bottom, rolling water, railroad/bridge crossings, and a deliberately conservative take-out at McCoole.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 4.3 river miles from Westernport to McCoole
DifficultyModerate
Typical time2–4 hours depending on release
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 4.3 river miles from Westernport to McCooleWesternport Soft Access to McCoole Boat Access
DifficultymoderateThe source describes recreational moving water, but shallow rock, current, cold water, debris, and bridge or access hazards remain material.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage at McCoole, then shuttle to Westernport using current Maryland Route 135 and town roads. Confirm the gate, limited lots, railroad crossings, bridge traffic, road surface, and daylight margin before launching.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow Maryland boating/PFD requirements, DNR and town access rules, railroad/property boundaries, daylight restrictions, current closures, and posted release notices. No route-specific paddling permit is claimed.
CampingDay tripNo camping is included at either access. Use separately confirmed lodging or an established campground; do not camp at Westernport, McCoole, the riverbank, or railroad/property areas without express 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

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A bounded upper North Branch Potomac moving-water reach from Westernport’s public soft access to the McCoole public access, with small rapids, rocky bottom, rolling water, railroad/bridge crossings, and a deliberately conservative take-out at McCoole.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Westernport Soft Access
Open mapDirections to put-in

Both endpoints are public Maryland access records for non-motorized vessels, but Westernport has limited gravel parking and a short carry while McCoole has a gate, small grassy parking, and an unimproved muddy shoreline.

Finish

Take-out

McCoole Boat Access
Open mapDirections to take-out

The Luke gauge is proxy context for this short upper reach; it cannot certify local release timing, depth, debris, wind, or landing conditions.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Both endpoints are public Maryland access records for non-motorized vessels, but Westernport has limited gravel parking and a short carry while McCoole has a gate, small grassy parking, and an unimproved muddy shoreline.
  • The Luke gauge is proxy context for this short upper reach; it cannot certify local release timing, depth, debris, wind, or landing conditions.
  • End at McCoole before the separate McCoole-to-Black-Oak corridor unless the group has a current route-specific plan and daylight.

Watch for

  • USGS 01598500 at Luke upstream/nearby proxy, current release notices, 400-cfs planning minimum, trend, local rainfall, and fast rise
  • Class II ledges, rocky bottom, strainers, cold water, bridge/railroad traffic, wind, and changing current
  • Westernport and McCoole limited parking/carry/gate/road conditions, poison ivy, muddy shoreline, and the hard McCoole take-out

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

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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

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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.

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 corridorWesternport to McCoole, approximately 4.3 miles, within the North Branch Potomac water-trail section

    Allegany County publishes the named access sequence and distance; American Whitewater supplies the Class II moving-water family and route features.

    Source

  • Authoritative public accessWesternport Soft Access and McCoole Boat Access

    Maryland DNR documents both public non-motorized sites, owners, parking/carry posture, hours, and water-entry limitations.

    Source

  • Proxy flow evidenceUSGS 01598500 at Luke with 400–2,400 cfs North Branch planning range

    The Luke station is retained as proxy context; the published range and current releases must be combined with local depth, trend, weather, and visual inspection.

    Source

  • Camping postureNo route camping at the access sites

    The county describes access and nearby outdoor services, but these endpoints are not represented as campsites; arrange separate legal lodging or camping.

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

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

More on North Branch Potomac River

All 4
Eugene Mason Sports Complex to Spring Gap Boat RampAllegany County / Western MarylandEasy · Approximately 10.8 river miles from Mason to Spring Gap; American Whitewater Wiley’s Ford SectionGary Yoder / Black Oak River Access near Rawlings to Allegany County FairgroundsAllegany County / Western MarylandModerate · Approximately 16.4 river miles from Black Oak to the short Allegany Fairgrounds take-outMcCoole Boat Access to Gary Yoder / Black Oak Soft LaunchAllegany County / Western MarylandEasy · Approximately 6 river miles from McCoole to Gary Yoder / Black Oak

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Youghiogheny RiverMiddle Yough: Ramcat Launch to Ohiopyle Middle Yough Take-out · about 30 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 9.5 river milesPotomac RiverPaw Paw Tunnel Campground to Bond's Landing · about 31 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 12 river miles, Maryland DNR Green Ridge State Forest Paw Paw to Bond’s Landing legCheat RiverAlbright FOC / Muddy Creek access to Jenkinsburg Bridge · about 32 straight-line mi awayHard · 9.35 miCacapon RiverCacapon Crossing public access to Fishers Ford Bridge public access · about 33 straight-line mi awayEasy · 18 mi

Quick answers

North Branch Potomac River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Westernport Soft Access to McCoole Boat Access 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 Westernport Soft Access to McCoole Boat Access route on the North Branch Potomac River start and end?

This route starts at Westernport Soft Access and ends at McCoole Boat Access, Approximately 4.3 river miles from Westernport to McCoole on the water.

Is the Westernport Soft Access to McCoole Boat Access 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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