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See all 2 routes on Patapsco River

Maryland | Howard and Baltimore Counties / Central Maryland

Patapsco River

Orange Grove Area to Avalon / Glen Artney Area

Check current paddling conditions for this Patapsco River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.

Route location

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DistanceApproximately 2.8 river miles between the stored Orange Grove and Avalon area anchors; exact moving-water distance varies with the landing and channel
DifficultyEasy
Typical time1–3 hours depending on water level
ShuttleCar shuttle
McKeldin Rapids cascade through Patapsco Valley State Park in Maryland.
Route photoPatapsco Valley State Park river-corridor context near McKeldinPhoto by Andrew Parlette via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
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Conditions

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 overview

Quick facts and what's next

Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.

Quick facts

On-water distanceApproximately 2.8 river miles between the stored Orange Grove and Avalon area anchors; exact moving-water distance varies with the landing and channelOrange Grove Area to Avalon / Glen Artney Area
DifficultyeasyThe source describes recreational moving water, but shallow rock, current, cold water, debris, and bridge or access hazards remain material.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage at the Avalon/Glen Artney area after confirming the park-area access and parking, then shuttle to Orange Grove. Use designated parking only, allow time for the park carry, and do not use the route as a reason to cross railroad or no-trespassing areas.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current Maryland DNR Patapsco Valley State Park hours, service charges, parking and capacity rules, paddling guidance, closures, no-trespassing boundaries, and Maryland boating/PFD requirements. No route-specific paddling permit is claimed.
CampingOptions nearbyAvalon, Glen Artney, and Orange Grove are day-use park areas in the cited materials; no on-route campsite is claimed. Arrange a separately confirmed legal campground or lodging basecamp, and do not infer overnight permission from public river access.
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

Upcoming outlook

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A short, bounded lower Patapsco float reach between two public Patapsco Valley State Park areas. The route is moving water only when flow is adequate, with gravel bars and occasional strainers; it ends at the Avalon/Glen Artney park area rather than continuing into the lower tidal or industrial Patapsco.

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Start

Put-in

Orange Grove Area swinging bridge river access anchor
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American Whitewater identifies Orange Grove river access and parking just upstream of the swinging bridge; Maryland DNR identifies the public Orange Grove area. Confirm the current public carry, parking, bridge status, and river entry before unloading.

Finish

Take-out

Avalon / Glen Artney Area park access anchor
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The Avalon coordinate is the DNR-published park GPS for the Avalon area and is intentionally labeled an area anchor. American Whitewater supplies the river take-out context; verify the actual waterline landing and carry path on site.

Plan this segment

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

Access caveats and watch for

Access caveats

  • American Whitewater identifies Orange Grove river access and parking just upstream of the swinging bridge; Maryland DNR identifies the public Orange Grove area. Confirm the current public carry, parking, bridge status, and river entry before unloading.
  • The Avalon coordinate is the DNR-published park GPS for the Avalon area and is intentionally labeled an area anchor. American Whitewater supplies the river take-out context; verify the actual waterline landing and carry path on site.
  • Park areas can fill to capacity on busy weekends and holidays. A public park designation does not guarantee a launch space, landing, or same-day parking availability.
  • The Hollofield gauge is on the same Patapsco but upstream of this short lower reach. Tributary inflow, storm response, debris, and local access conditions can differ materially from the instantaneous gauge reading.

Watch for

  • USGS 01589000 discharge and trend
  • 175 cfs float-planning context, recent rain, swift post-storm current, cold water, gravel bars, strainers, and unstable banks
  • Orange Grove bridge/parking, Avalon park capacity, area-anchor carry, no-trespassing/railroad boundaries, and hard take-out before the lower Patapsco

Route gallery

See this route on the water

Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.

McKeldin Rapids cascade through Patapsco Valley State Park in Maryland.
Patapsco Valley State Park river-corridor context near McKeldinPhoto by Andrew Parlette via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: CC BY 2.0

Score & sources

Why this score

See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.

Read quality
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Next stepChecking

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Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking

Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.

Why
  • Checking evidence-strength notes.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge sitePatapsco River at Hollofield, MD
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Ideal rangeNeeds paddler reports
Known low-water floor175 cfs
High thresholdNot calibrated yet
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreAmerican Whitewater Patapsco lower float flow guidance
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
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 corridorOrange Grove to Avalon/Glen Artney, approximately 1.7 miles

    American Whitewater identifies Orange Grove access and the Avalon float take-out option, with gravel bars and occasional strainers below Orange Grove.

    Source

  • Route-specific flow guidanceFloat trips possible down to approximately 175 cfs from Orange Grove to Avalon

    American Whitewater supplies the route-specific planning screen; it is not a universal safe minimum.

    Source

  • Maryland public accessOrange Grove, Avalon, and Glen Artney are public Patapsco Valley State Park areas; DNR publishes Avalon GPS

    Maryland DNR documents the public park areas, swinging bridge, paddling guidance, and seasonal/storm flow posture.

    Source

  • Endpoint coordinate evidenceOrange Grove swinging bridge near-water anchor; Avalon DNR park-area anchor

    Orange Grove is a near-water bridge/access anchor. Avalon is an official area coordinate paired with American Whitewater’s take-out description and is explicitly not presented as a surveyed landing.

    Source

  • Direct flow evidenceUSGS 01589000 Patapsco River at Hollofield

    USGS is the direct same-river station; local storm response, debris, and lower-reach conditions still require field inspection.

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01589000, Patapsco River at Hollofield, 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

    Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0 Patapsco Valley State Park river image used as route context; it does not certify the lower reach’s current flow, access, strainers, or take-out.

    Source

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.

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Woodstock Road / Old Court Road to Daniels River AccessHoward and Baltimore Counties / Central MarylandModerate · Approximately 4.5–4.7 river miles from the common Woodstock put-in to Daniels, within American Whitewater’s 6.3-mile confluence-to-Daniels reach

Nearby routes by distance

Baltimore BluewayBroening Park to Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center · about 7 mi awayModerate · Approximately 2.5 miles along the Middle Branch into Masonville CoveBaltimore BluewayBroening Park to Southwest Area Park upstream Patapsco paddle · about 7 mi awayHard · Approximately 5 miles upstream paddleBaltimore BluewayMiddle Branch Park perimeter loop · about 7 mi awayEasy · Approximately 2.4 miles perimeter paddle, same-launch returnBaltimore BluewayRye Street Park perimeter around Port Covington / Baltimore Peninsula · about 8 mi awayModerate · Approximately 1.5 miles perimeter paddle, same-launch return

Quick answers

Patapsco River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Patapsco River?

Paddle Today watches Patapsco River at Hollofield, MD and uses 175 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.

Where does this Patapsco River route start and end?

This route starts at Orange Grove Area swinging bridge river access anchor and ends at Avalon / Glen Artney Area park access anchor, about Approximately 2.8 river miles between the stored Orange Grove and Avalon area anchors; exact moving-water distance varies with the landing and channel on the water.

Is this Patapsco River route good for beginners?

This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.

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