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Maryland | Allegany and Washington Counties / Western Maryland

Potomac RiverFifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little Orleans to Little Tonoloway Boat Ramp / Hancock

A Class I moving-water Potomac reach from the public Fifteen Mile Creek launch near Little Orleans to the Little Tonoloway ramp in Hancock. The C&O Canal corridor supplies multiple hiker/biker camping options and emergency road context, but the route remains a long boundary-river commitment with changing current and limited shore exits.

Route location

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Plan this route

Distance16.8 river miles, American Whitewater Potomac reach 0.3
DifficultyEasy
Typical time5–9 hours depending on stage
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 distance16.8 river miles, American Whitewater Potomac reach 0.3Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little Orleans to Little Tonoloway Boat Ramp / Hancock
DifficultyeasyThe source describes recreational moving water, but shallow rock, current, cold water, debris, and bridge or access hazards remain material.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage at Little Tonoloway in Hancock, then drive the C&O/MD 51 corridor to Fifteen Mile Creek at Little Orleans. Verify C&O bridge load restrictions, road and parking status, and leave daylight for a long, wind-affected trip.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current C&O Canal National Historical Park rules, Maryland boating/PFD requirements, campground status and fees, bridge load restrictions, access closures, and flood/high-water notices. Gas-powered boats are not part of this paddle plan.
CampingOptions nearbyFifteen Mile Creek campground is at the put-in, and American Whitewater names Indigo Neck, Cacapon Junction, Leopard Mill, and White Rock C&O hiker/biker camping along the corridor. Confirm current NPS campsite status, fees, reservations, and river access; private-bank camping is not included.
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 Class I moving-water Potomac reach from the public Fifteen Mile Creek launch near Little Orleans to the Little Tonoloway ramp in Hancock. The C&O Canal corridor supplies multiple hiker/biker camping options and emergency road context, but the route remains a long boundary-river commitment with changing current and limited shore exits.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little Orleans
Open mapDirections to put-in

The Fifteen Mile Creek coordinate is the public ramp/water-entry anchor documented by American Whitewater and the NPS C&O launch list; confirm the final carry, bridge, parking, and campground status on launch day.

Finish

Take-out

Little Tonoloway Boat Ramp / Hancock
Open mapDirections to take-out

Little Tonoloway is an NPS-designated ramp with trailer parking and a vault toilet, but the water entry and Berm Road approach remain subject to current conditions and closures.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The Fifteen Mile Creek coordinate is the public ramp/water-entry anchor documented by American Whitewater and the NPS C&O launch list; confirm the final carry, bridge, parking, and campground status on launch day.
  • Little Tonoloway is an NPS-designated ramp with trailer parking and a vault toilet, but the water entry and Berm Road approach remain subject to current conditions and closures.
  • The gauge is at Hancock downstream of Little Tonoloway Creek and is direct for this Potomac reach, but local rain, tributary inflows, wind, and access flooding can differ materially from the instantaneous station reading.

Watch for

  • USGS 01613000 stage, discharge, and trend
  • NWS flood products, recent rain, cold water, wind, floating wood, strainers, bridge hydraulics, and private-bank boundaries
  • C&O road/towpath/bridge status, campground access, parking, and the Little Tonoloway take-out boundary

Plan this paddle

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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

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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 corridorFifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp to Hancock, 16.8 miles, Class I

    American Whitewater names the reach, intermediate access/camping context, Hancock gauge, public endpoints, and low-runnable stage context.

    Source

  • Federal public accessFifteenmile Creek and Little Tonoloway are C&O/NPS river-launch sites

    The NPS boating compendium lists Fifteenmile Creek as a designated trailer launch, and the NPS Little Tonoloway place page documents the Hancock ramp, parking, toilet, and Potomac access.

    Source

  • Direct flow evidenceUSGS 01613000 Potomac River at Hancock; American Whitewater low-runnable context around 3.2 ft

    USGS identifies the direct station and its live stage/discharge parameters; American Whitewater supplies the route-specific planning context.

    Source

  • Camping postureFifteen Mile Creek endpoint campground plus C&O hiker/biker sites along the reach

    American Whitewater names the corridor camping sequence; NPS status, fees, and access must be reconfirmed before an overnight plan.

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01613000, Potomac River at Hancock, 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 public-domain C&O corridor image used as Potomac context; it does not certify current water level or access.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

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More in Maryland

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Maryland route guideBrowse every tracked Maryland route.Allegany and Washington Counties / Western MarylandJump to routes in this region.

More on Potomac River

All 14
Big Pool / Fort Frederick Campground to Williamsport River Bottom ParkWashington County / Western MarylandModerate · Approximately 16.7 river miles, American Whitewater Potomac reach 0.4Big Slackwater Boat Ramp to Taylors Landing Boat Ramp with Dam 4 portageMontgomery, Frederick, and Washington Counties / Central MarylandHard · Approximately 3.4 river miles downstream from C&O Canal mile 85.5 to mile 80.9, with a mandatory Dam 4 portageBond's Landing to Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little OrleansAllegany County / Western MarylandEasy · Approximately 9 river miles, Maryland DNR Green Ridge State Forest Bond’s Landing to Fifteen Mile Creek legBrunswick Boat Ramp to Point of Rocks Boat RampMontgomery, Frederick, and Washington Counties / Central MarylandModerate · Approximately 6.8 river miles downstream from C&O Canal mile 55.0 to mile 48.2

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Cacapon RiverFishers Ford Bridge public access to Cacapon Power Plant public access · about 7 straight-line mi awayEasy · 8.5 miCacapon RiverCacapon Crossing public access to Fishers Ford Bridge public access · about 12 straight-line mi awayEasy · 18 miCacapon RiverWV 127 Bridge public access to Cacapon Crossing public access · about 15 straight-line mi awayEasy · 9 miNorth Branch Potomac RiverEugene Mason Sports Complex to Spring Gap Boat Ramp · about 20 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 10.8 river miles from Mason to Spring Gap; American Whitewater Wiley’s Ford Section

Quick answers

Potomac River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little Orleans to Little Tonoloway Boat Ramp / Hancock route on the 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 Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little Orleans to Little Tonoloway Boat Ramp / Hancock route on the Potomac River start and end?

This route starts at Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little Orleans and ends at Little Tonoloway Boat Ramp / Hancock, 16.8 river miles, American Whitewater Potomac reach 0.3 on the water.

Is the Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little Orleans to Little Tonoloway Boat Ramp / Hancock route on the 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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