Plan Your Own Adventure on the Monocacy River Water Trail

Two paddlers enjoying the Monocacy River.

Saki

At 41.4 (some sources claim 41.8) miles long, it may take a few trips to see the entire Monocacy River Water Trail. Unlike most locations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, this non-tidal waterway almost always has a downstream current of variable speed, which makes planning a huge part of visiting and paddling this waterway.

“Where are the launch sites?”  The Frederick County Parks & Recreation – Monocacy Scenic Water Trail Map is an excellent source to answer this and most other questions. The following are details not described in the maps, listed in order of upstream to downstream: 

• Maryland Route 77 – Rocky Ridge: Be careful, the launch area here can get muddy and slippery after it rains.

• Creagerstown Park: If you bring a pet that doesn’t like loud noises, you may not want to paddle near here because there is a shooting range nearby.  On the east side of the ramp, you’ll find a small gravel beach about 12 feet wide.  There is no restroom. 

• Devilbiss Bridge: Some mapping software shows the boat launch on the east side of the river but it is on the west.

• Riverside Park: Just east of the paved boat ramp is Rivermist Park, which has a lovely, 1.7-mile, paved multi-purpose trail that parallels the north side of the river. 

• Pinecliff Park: This park has a nice, paved boat ramp. 

• Gambrill Mill at Monocacy National Battlefield: Mapping software might try to take you to a parking lot near the Corporal Kirk J. Bosselmann Bridge where Urbana Pike (Route 355) passes over the Monocacy River, but the place you want to turn off is 0.2 mile south of this on the east side of Urbana Pike.  Follow the road marked with the "Gambrill Mill Tour Stop 4" sign and park near the boardwalk trailhead. 

• Buckeystown Community Park: There is a 160-foot portage to a somewhat steep and rocky soft launch.  If you don’t mind doing a 250-foot portage, you can instead launch from a very steep ramp (not for vehicles) which has a heavy-duty eyebolt at the top. On either side are narrow staircases. 

• Park Mills Road Bridge: There will be a small sign that reads “Monocacy River Boat Ramp,” which is confusing because that is the name of the launch site just downstream.  There is little else to mark this Natural Resource Management Area (NRMA). 

• Monocacy Boat Ramp: At a signed split in the road, the right side leads to the ramp while the left goes to the aqueduct.  Should the parking near the ramp fill up, you can always drop off your boat and then park in the spaces closer to the aqueduct. 

With the exception of ADA parking, none of these sites are really accommodating for people launching with serious mobility issues.  If that is a concern, it may be better to stick to the ones with paved boat ramps.

How much water is needed to make a good trip?  Signs at the launch sites read: 

From the MD 77 Bridge, the U.S. Geological Survey gauge at Jug Bridge in Frederick should read 350 cubic feet per second (cfs) or show a water level of at least 2.1 feet. 

From Devilbiss Bridge and below, the gauge should read at least 215 cfs or 1.7 feet. 

What about too much water?  Levels of five feet or above are considered hazardous for recreational use and should not be attempted. 

When is the best time to paddle?  It may be best to avoid the Monocacy River Water Trail between mid-July and late fall, when water levels are often insufficient unless it has rained recently.  This isn’t a safety concern, just a way to ensure you have an enjoyable trip that doesn’t involve schlepping your boat through shallow areas. Other times of the year are usually fine for paddling, but keep in mind that the Monocacy River water temperature may be colder than the Chesapeake Bay.  This might be refreshing on a hot summer day but in early spring or late fall, you may want at least a wetsuit. 

During the autumn and winter, one should also be aware of waterfowl hunting season and that “sneak boating,” which involves hunting from small, low-profile boats, is permitted on the Monocacy. 

What kind of boat should be used?  Many boats types are suitable for paddling on the Monocacy River Water Trail.  The big question is your comfort level for minor scrapes.  Especially when the water is low, there are spots where rocks will probably make contact with your hull.  Plastic boats can take the most abuse and while fiberglass, carbon fiber, and Kevlar boats won’t likely suffer from structural damage, they might get a little scratched up.  Because there are many shallow areas in fast-moving sections with rocks just below the surface, it is not recommended using a stand up paddleboard (SUP). 

None have matched the Monocacy River Water Trail in terms of accessibility, length, suitability for such a wide range of skill-levels, and being paddle-able for so much of the year.  Perhaps this is why Edward “Boulderbuster” Gertler, canoeing guidebook author with over 60 years of paddling experience, describes it as “…one of the most reliably floatable streams…in this state of small creeks…a good retreat for a quiet day in the outdoors…”

This is an abridged article originally written by Saki.