State routes
Maryland Rivers
Compare 36 tracked Maryland paddle routes with route links, water-level context, difficulty, and access planning details.
Paddle Today only lists routes when the gauge, threshold, and source support are defensible enough for live route scoring.
Loading supported rivers and route reaches.
Coverage snapshot
Explore supported Maryland rivers
Scan the highlighted river network from above, then use the route guides and access markers to find a supported reach.
36 route markers9 multi-route rivers14 beginner routes
Supported riverSelected reach80Paddle · Strong60Tradeoffs40Skip today
Montgomery, Frederick, and Washington Counties / Central Maryland 7Allegany County / Western Maryland 5Frederick County / Central Maryland 5Washington County / Western Maryland 5Baltimore County / Central Maryland 3Harford County / Lower Susquehanna Maryland 3Harford County / Central Maryland 2Howard and Baltimore Counties / Central Maryland 2
Live conditions
Best Maryland routes today
Loading current scores, gauge reads, and weather signals.
--Live
Washington County / Western Maryland
View routeConococheague Creek
Kemps Mill Park to Williamsport River Bottom Park
Easy | Approximately 4.5 miles from Kemps Mill Park to Williamsport River Bottom Park | 2–4 hours depending on stage, shallow water, vegetation, wood, and the mandatory Kemps Mill Dam portage boundary upstream--Live
Carroll County / Central Maryland
View routeBig Pipe Creek
Hapes Mill Road soft launch to Double Pipe Creek Park
Easy | Approximately 8 river miles from Hapes Mill Road to Double Pipe Creek Park; route distance varies with channel and water level | 3–6 hours depending on water level, shallow gravel, fallen trees, the railroad-trestle dam portage, and the take-out carry--Live
Baltimore County / Central Maryland
View routeGunpowder Falls
Masemore Road to Monkton Road
Moderate | 7.8 miles from Masemore Road to Monkton Road | 3–7 hours depending on flow, shallow/quarry water, strainers, access stops, and daylight--Live
Baltimore County / Central Maryland
View routeGunpowder Falls
Monkton Road to Phoenix Road
Moderate | 7.1 miles from Monkton Road to Phoenix Road | 3–6 hours depending on stage, shallow water, wood, access stops, and the Phoenix carryThis panel hydrates from live Paddle Today scores. The route links above remain useful when JavaScript or the score API is unavailable.
Best route options
Good starting points in Maryland
Ranked from route metadata, source support, difficulty, and logistics.
Maryland routeWashington County / Western MarylandConococheague CreekKemps Mill Park to Williamsport River Bottom ParkA short, low-gradient lower Conococheague Creek float from the public Kemps Mill Park walk-in access to Williamsport River Bottom Park. The reach is sha...
Route facts
Easy | Approximately 4.5 miles from Kemps Mill Park to Williamsport River Bottom Park | 2–4 hours depending on stage, shallow water, vegetation, wood, and the mandatory Kemps Mill Dam portage boundary upstreamofficial source support
Maryland routeCarroll County / Central MarylandBig Pipe CreekHapes Mill Road soft launch to Double Pipe Creek ParkA family-oriented central Maryland moving-water reach on the Carroll County Pipe Creek Water Trail. Big Pipe Creek is mostly smooth Class I–II water wit...
Route facts
Easy | Approximately 8 river miles from Hapes Mill Road to Double Pipe Creek Park; route distance varies with channel and water level | 3–6 hours depending on water level, shallow gravel, fallen trees, the railroad-trestle dam portage, and the take-out carryofficial source support
Maryland routeBaltimore County / Central MarylandGunpowder FallsMasemore Road to Monkton RoadShorter options: 1.0–6.5 miA bounded Upper Gunpowder moving-water corridor through Gunpowder Falls State Park from Masemore Road to Monkton Road. The reach mixes cold Class I–II w...
Route facts
Moderate | 7.8 miles from Masemore Road to Monkton Road | 3–7 hours depending on flow, shallow/quarry water, strainers, access stops, and daylightofficial source support
Maryland routeBaltimore County / Central MarylandGunpowder FallsMonkton Road to Phoenix RoadShorter options: 1.7–5.4 miA gentle Upper Gunpowder moving-water section from Monkton through the Glencoe and Sparks corridor to Phoenix Road. It is primarily Class I water with a...
Route facts
Moderate | 7.1 miles from Monkton Road to Phoenix Road | 3–6 hours depending on stage, shallow water, wood, access stops, and the Phoenix carryofficial source support
Maryland routeFrederick County / Central MarylandMonocacy RiverDevilbiss Bridge to Gambrill Mill at Monocacy National BattlefieldThe middle section of Maryland’s official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail from Devilbiss Bridge through the historic Monocacy Battlefield corridor to Gambri...
Route facts
Easy | Approximately 12.7 river miles, official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail Section 2 | 4–7 hours depending on stage, current, stops, shallow sections, and shuttle paceofficial source support
Maryland routeFrederick County / Central MarylandMonocacy RiverGambrill Mill at Monocacy National Battlefield to Monocacy Boat Ramp / DickersonThe lower section of Maryland’s official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail from Gambrill Mill to the Monocacy Boat Ramp near the Potomac confluence. The route...
Route facts
Easy | Approximately 17.6 river miles, official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail Section 3 | 5–9 hours depending on stage, current, shallow sections, stops, and shuttle paceofficial source support
Beginner routes
Maryland beginner routes
These routes are tagged easy in the route data. Today's water can still change the call.
Big Pipe CreekHapes Mill Road soft launch to Double Pipe Creek ParkCarroll County / Central Maryland | Approximately 8 river miles from Hapes Mill Road to Double Pipe Creek Park; route distance varies with channel and water levelConococheague CreekKemps Mill Park to Williamsport River Bottom ParkWashington County / Western Maryland | Approximately 4.5 miles from Kemps Mill Park to Williamsport River Bottom ParkMonocacy RiverDevilbiss Bridge to Gambrill Mill at Monocacy National BattlefieldFrederick County / Central Maryland | Approximately 12.7 river miles, official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail Section 2Monocacy RiverGambrill Mill at Monocacy National Battlefield to Monocacy Boat Ramp / DickersonFrederick County / Central Maryland | Approximately 17.6 river miles, official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail Section 3Monocacy RiverMaryland Route 77 / Rocky Ridge to Devilbiss BridgeFrederick County / Central Maryland | Approximately 11.5 river miles, official Monocacy Scenic Water Trail Section 1North Branch Potomac RiverEugene Mason Sports Complex to Spring Gap Boat RampAllegany County / Western Maryland | Approximately 10.8 river miles from Mason to Spring Gap; American Whitewater Wiley’s Ford SectionNorth Branch Potomac RiverSpring Gap Boat Ramp to Oldtown Toll BridgeAllegany County / Western Maryland | Approximately 6.2 river miles from Spring Gap to Oldtown within American Whitewater’s 17-mile Wiley’s Ford SectionPatapsco RiverOrange Grove Area to Avalon / Glen Artney AreaHoward and Baltimore Counties / Central Maryland | Approximately 2.8 river miles between the stored Orange Grove and Avalon area anchors; exact moving-water distance varies with the landing and channel
Showing 8 of 14 beginner routes. Use the Easy difficulty filter below to see the full set.
Weekend planning
Routes with practical logistics
Use the live weekend board for score-based recommendations.
Anacostia River Water TrailBladensburg Waterfront Park to Anacostia Park boat rampApproximately 9 miles one way from Bladensburg to Anacostia Park | 4–8 hours depending on tide, wind, current, mud, urban traffic, stops, and the one-way shuttleAntietam CreekDevil’s Backbone Park to MD 34 / Porterstown BridgeApproximately 7.9 Antietam Creek miles from Devil’s Backbone Park to MD 34 | 4–7 hours depending on stage, current, wood, scouting, stops, and the hard MD 34 take-outBig Pipe CreekHapes Mill Road soft launch to Double Pipe Creek ParkApproximately 8 river miles from Hapes Mill Road to Double Pipe Creek Park; route distance varies with channel and water level | 3–6 hours depending on water level, shallow gravel, fallen trees, the railroad-trestle dam portage, and the take-out carryCatoctin CreekCatoctin Creek Park & Nature Center to C&O Lander Boat Ramp / PotomacApproximately 10.1 moving-water miles from Catoctin Creek Park to the C&O Lander Boat Ramp at the Potomac | 3–7 hours depending on stage, shallow riffles, debris, the Catoctin Aqueduct blockage risk, Potomac current, and the final take-out carryCatoctin CreekDoub's Meadow Park to Catoctin Creek Park & Nature CenterApproximately 16.2 river miles from Doub’s Meadow Park to Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center | 5–9 hours depending on stage, shallow riffles, strainers, bridge carries, and the endpoint carryConococheague CreekKemps Mill Park to Williamsport River Bottom ParkApproximately 4.5 miles from Kemps Mill Park to Williamsport River Bottom Park | 2–4 hours depending on stage, shallow water, vegetation, wood, and the mandatory Kemps Mill Dam portage boundary upstream
Browse coverage
Rivers and regions
Compact directory links for crawlers and planners.
By corridor
Potomac River access ladder15
Distinct Maryland access pairs from Oldtown through the middle Potomac, including dam and portage boundaries.
Open canonical routeOldtown Toll Bridge to Paw Paw Tunnel CampgroundPaw Paw Tunnel Campground to Bond's LandingBond's Landing to Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little OrleansFifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little Orleans to Little Tonoloway Boat Ramp / HancockLittle Tonoloway Boat Ramp / Hancock to Big Pool / Fort Frederick State ParkBig Pool / Fort Frederick Campground to Williamsport River Bottom ParkWilliamsport River Bottom Park to Big Slackwater Boat Ramp above Dam 4Big Slackwater Boat Ramp to Taylors Landing Boat Ramp with Dam 4 portageDam 4 downstream access to Shepherdstown Princess Street Boat RampTaylors Landing Boat Ramp to Snyders Landing Boat RampShepherdstown Princess Street Boat Ramp to Dargan Bend Boat RampBrunswick Boat Ramp to Point of Rocks Boat RampPoint of Rocks Boat Ramp to Monocacy Aqueduct Boat Ramp via Nolands FerryMouth of Monocacy / Monocacy Aqueduct to Edwards Ferry Boat Ramp via Whites FerryEdwards Ferry Boat Ramp to Violettes Lock Canoe/Kayak Ramp
Monocacy River access ladder3
Three selectable Monocacy reaches with shared water-trail context and route-specific endpoints.
Catoctin Creek access ladder2
Two access-pair variants on the Catoctin Creek reach, kept separate because the launch and take-out commitments differ.
Gunpowder Falls access ladder3
Selectable Gunpowder Falls reaches with route-specific gorge, dam, and take-out guidance retained on each card.
By river
Potomac River13
Potomac River hubBig Pool / Fort Frederick Campground to Williamsport River Bottom ParkBond's Landing to Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little OrleansBrunswick Boat Ramp to Point of Rocks Boat RampDam 4 downstream access to Shepherdstown Princess Street Boat RampEdwards Ferry Boat Ramp to Violettes Lock Canoe/Kayak RampFifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little Orleans to Little Tonoloway Boat Ramp / HancockLittle Tonoloway Boat Ramp / Hancock to Big Pool / Fort Frederick State ParkOldtown Toll Bridge to Paw Paw Tunnel CampgroundPaw Paw Tunnel Campground to Bond's LandingPoint of Rocks Boat Ramp to Monocacy Aqueduct Boat Ramp via Nolands FerryShepherdstown Princess Street Boat Ramp to Dargan Bend Boat RampTaylors Landing Boat Ramp to Snyders Landing Boat RampWilliamsport River Bottom Park to Big Slackwater Boat Ramp above Dam 4
Gunpowder Falls3
Lower Susquehanna Water Trail3
Monocacy River3
Antietam Creek2
Catoctin Creek2
Deer Creek Water Trail2
North Branch Potomac River2
Patapsco River2
Anacostia River Water Trail1
Big Pipe Creek1
Conococheague Creek1
By region
Allegany County / Western Maryland5
North Branch Potomac River: Eugene Mason Sports Complex to Spring Gap Boat RampNorth Branch Potomac River: Spring Gap Boat Ramp to Oldtown Toll BridgePotomac River: Bond's Landing to Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little OrleansPotomac River: Oldtown Toll Bridge to Paw Paw Tunnel CampgroundPotomac River: Paw Paw Tunnel Campground to Bond's Landing
Allegany and Washington Counties / Western Maryland1
Baltimore City and Anne Arundel County / Central Maryland0
Baltimore County / Central Maryland3
Calvert County / Southern Maryland0
Caroline County / Eastern Shore Maryland0
Carroll County / Central Maryland1
Cecil County / Upper Eastern Shore Maryland0
Charles County / Southern Maryland0
Dorchester County / Eastern Maryland0
Dorchester County / Lower Eastern Shore Maryland0
Dorchester and Wicomico Counties / Lower Eastern Shore Maryland0
Frederick County / Central Maryland5
Catoctin Creek: Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center to C&O Lander Boat Ramp / PotomacCatoctin Creek: Doub's Meadow Park to Catoctin Creek Park & Nature CenterMonocacy River: Devilbiss Bridge to Gambrill Mill at Monocacy National BattlefieldMonocacy River: Gambrill Mill at Monocacy National Battlefield to Monocacy Boat Ramp / DickersonMonocacy River: Maryland Route 77 / Rocky Ridge to Devilbiss Bridge
Harford County / Central Maryland2
Harford County / Lower Susquehanna Maryland3
Harford County / Northeastern Maryland1
Howard and Baltimore Counties / Central Maryland2
Kent County / Upper Eastern Shore Maryland0
Montgomery, Frederick, and Washington Counties / Central Maryland7
Potomac River: Brunswick Boat Ramp to Point of Rocks Boat RampPotomac River: Dam 4 downstream access to Shepherdstown Princess Street Boat RampPotomac River: Edwards Ferry Boat Ramp to Violettes Lock Canoe/Kayak RampPotomac River: Point of Rocks Boat Ramp to Monocacy Aqueduct Boat Ramp via Nolands FerryPotomac River: Shepherdstown Princess Street Boat Ramp to Dargan Bend Boat RampPotomac River: Taylors Landing Boat Ramp to Snyders Landing Boat RampPotomac River: Williamsport River Bottom Park to Big Slackwater Boat Ramp above Dam 4
Prince George’s County Maryland / Washington, D.C.1
Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties / Central Maryland0
Queen Anne’s County / Upper Eastern Shore Maryland0
Somerset County / Lower Eastern Shore Maryland0
Somerset County / Southern Eastern Shore Maryland0
St. Mary’s County / Southern Maryland0
Talbot County / Eastern Shore Maryland0
Washington County / Western Maryland5
Antietam Creek: Devil’s Backbone Park to MD 34 / Porterstown BridgeAntietam Creek: MD 34 / Porterstown Bridge to Antietam Creek C&O Campground and Potomac confluenceConococheague Creek: Kemps Mill Park to Williamsport River Bottom ParkPotomac River: Big Pool / Fort Frederick Campground to Williamsport River Bottom ParkPotomac River: Little Tonoloway Boat Ramp / Hancock to Big Pool / Fort Frederick State Park
Worcester County / Assateague Island Maryland0
Worcester County / Eastern Maryland0
Worcester County / Lower Eastern Shore Maryland0
Worcester County / Pocomoke State Park Maryland0
Need broader planning context?
Weekend boardExplore all routesRequest a routeAll tracked routes
Every Maryland route on Paddle Today
36 server-rendered route links.
Showing all 36 routes.
Anacostia River Water TrailBladensburg Waterfront Park to Anacostia Park boat rampPrince George’s County Maryland / Washington, D.C. | ModerateAntietam CreekDevil’s Backbone Park to MD 34 / Porterstown BridgeWashington County / Western Maryland | ModerateAntietam CreekMD 34 / Porterstown Bridge to Antietam Creek C&O Campground and Potomac confluenceWashington County / Western Maryland | ModerateBig Pipe CreekHapes Mill Road soft launch to Double Pipe Creek ParkCarroll County / Central Maryland | EasyCatoctin CreekCatoctin Creek Park & Nature Center to C&O Lander Boat Ramp / PotomacFrederick County / Central Maryland | ModerateCatoctin CreekDoub's Meadow Park to Catoctin Creek Park & Nature CenterFrederick County / Central Maryland | ModerateConococheague CreekKemps Mill Park to Williamsport River Bottom ParkWashington County / Western Maryland | EasyDeer CreekSandy Hook Road / Deer Creek Conservation Area to MD 136 / Priestford RoadHarford County / Northeastern Maryland | ModerateDeer Creek Water TrailRocks State Park Rapids access to Ma & Pa soft accessHarford County / Central Maryland | HardDeer Creek Water TrailWalters Mill Canoe/Kayak Launch to Benjamin’s BridgeHarford County / Central Maryland | ModerateGunpowder FallsMasemore Road to Monkton RoadBaltimore County / Central Maryland | ModerateGunpowder FallsMonkton Road to Phoenix RoadBaltimore County / Central Maryland | ModerateGunpowder FallsPrettyboy Reservoir tailwater to Falls RoadBaltimore County / Central Maryland | HardLower Susquehanna Water TrailBroad Creek Public Landing and returnHarford County / Lower Susquehanna Maryland | ModerateLower Susquehanna Water TrailFrank J. Hutchins Park to Lapidum Boating FacilityHarford County / Lower Susquehanna Maryland | ModerateLower Susquehanna Water TrailLapidum Boating Facility to Shuresville LandingHarford County / Lower Susquehanna Maryland | ModerateMonocacy RiverDevilbiss Bridge to Gambrill Mill at Monocacy National BattlefieldFrederick County / Central Maryland | EasyMonocacy RiverGambrill Mill at Monocacy National Battlefield to Monocacy Boat Ramp / DickersonFrederick County / Central Maryland | EasyMonocacy RiverMaryland Route 77 / Rocky Ridge to Devilbiss BridgeFrederick County / Central Maryland | EasyNorth Branch Potomac RiverEugene Mason Sports Complex to Spring Gap Boat RampAllegany County / Western Maryland | EasyNorth Branch Potomac RiverSpring Gap Boat Ramp to Oldtown Toll BridgeAllegany County / Western Maryland | EasyPatapsco RiverOrange Grove Area to Avalon / Glen Artney AreaHoward and Baltimore Counties / Central Maryland | EasyPatapsco RiverWoodstock Road / Old Court Road to Daniels River AccessHoward and Baltimore Counties / Central Maryland | ModeratePotomac RiverBig Pool / Fort Frederick Campground to Williamsport River Bottom ParkWashington County / Western Maryland | ModeratePotomac RiverBond's Landing to Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little OrleansAllegany County / Western Maryland | EasyPotomac RiverBrunswick Boat Ramp to Point of Rocks Boat RampMontgomery, Frederick, and Washington Counties / Central Maryland | ModeratePotomac RiverDam 4 downstream access to Shepherdstown Princess Street Boat RampMontgomery, Frederick, and Washington Counties / Central Maryland | ModeratePotomac RiverEdwards Ferry Boat Ramp to Violettes Lock Canoe/Kayak RampMontgomery, Frederick, and Washington Counties / Central Maryland | ModeratePotomac RiverFifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp / Little Orleans to Little Tonoloway Boat Ramp / HancockAllegany and Washington Counties / Western Maryland | EasyPotomac RiverLittle Tonoloway Boat Ramp / Hancock to Big Pool / Fort Frederick State ParkWashington County / Western Maryland | ModeratePotomac RiverOldtown Toll Bridge to Paw Paw Tunnel CampgroundAllegany County / Western Maryland | EasyPotomac RiverPaw Paw Tunnel Campground to Bond's LandingAllegany County / Western Maryland | EasyPotomac RiverPoint of Rocks Boat Ramp to Monocacy Aqueduct Boat Ramp via Nolands FerryMontgomery, Frederick, and Washington Counties / Central Maryland | EasyPotomac RiverShepherdstown Princess Street Boat Ramp to Dargan Bend Boat RampMontgomery, Frederick, and Washington Counties / Central Maryland | EasyPotomac RiverTaylors Landing Boat Ramp to Snyders Landing Boat RampMontgomery, Frederick, and Washington Counties / Central Maryland | ModeratePotomac RiverWilliamsport River Bottom Park to Big Slackwater Boat Ramp above Dam 4Montgomery, Frederick, and Washington Counties / Central Maryland | Moderate
Quick answers
Maryland paddling FAQ
How does Paddle Today choose Maryland paddle routes?
Paddle Today lists Maryland routes when the route has enough defensible gauge, threshold, source, and logistics support to make a live route score useful. The current Maryland page includes 36 scored routes across 13 rivers.
Are these Maryland river conditions live?
The route links on this page are server-rendered and crawlable. Each route page then checks live gauge readings, weather, water-level context, and route score data before you make a same-day call.
Can I request another Maryland route?
Yes. Use the request form to send the river, reach, access points, and any source links. Paddle Today prioritizes routes where a public gauge or defensible threshold support can back the live score.