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See all 2 routes on Patapsco River

Maryland | Howard and Baltimore Counties / Central Maryland

Patapsco RiverOrange Grove Area to Avalon / Glen Artney Area

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.

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
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 2.8 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

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 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.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Orange Grove Area swinging bridge river access anchor
Open mapDirections to put-in

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
Open mapDirections to take-out

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.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

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

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

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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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.

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

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 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

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

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Keep exploring

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Quick answers

Patapsco River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Orange Grove Area to Avalon / Glen Artney Area route on the Patapsco 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 Orange Grove Area to Avalon / Glen Artney Area route on the Patapsco River 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, 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 the Orange Grove Area to Avalon / Glen Artney Area route on the Patapsco 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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