Trip Idea
Float Your Boat in the National Capital Region
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Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
Paddle Friendsville MD to Confluence PA
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Kayaking
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Town of Friendsville Park, MD
- Duration: 4–6 Hours
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
Launch at Friendsville, Maryland, and paddle 13.5 miles to Confluence, Pennsylvania, taking out above the dam. Best paddled with a touring kayak, you initially navigate some small rapids on the Youghiogheny River before entering the still water of the Lake. Outfitters in the area rent boats and offer shuttle services. Part of the Eastern Continental Divide Loop, see Day 4 in the "Do the Loop" section on the Garrett Trails Web site.
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Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
Paddle Hoyes Run to Sang Run on the Upper Youghiogheny
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Kayaking
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Hoyes Run launch area on the Upper Youghiogheny River
- Duration: 2–4 Hours
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
A mostly easy paddle--kayak, canoe or raft--on upper Youghiogheny River and important to check water levels. Outfitters serve this area, offering shuttles and boats. Part of the Eastern Continental Divide Loop, see the "Do the Loop" section of the Garrett Trails Web page for details.
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Multiple Parks
Paddle Leonardtown to Colton's Point
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Paddling
- Pets: Yes
- Duration: 1–2 Days
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
Paddle approximately 12 miles from Leonardtown to Colton's Point via kayak or canoe, stopping at Newtowne Neck State Park. The trip is mostly on Breton Bay, but joins the Potomac and the mouth of St. Clement's Bay near Colton's Point.
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Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
Paddle Savage River Reservoir
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Paddling
- Pets: Yes
- Duration: 1–2 Hours
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
This is a quiet, flat water paddle, approximately 2.6 miles end-to-end. To understand this trip in the context of the Eastern Continental Divide Loop, take note of the southern terminus of the Big Savage Mountain Trail below the dam and see Day 1 of "Do the Loop" on the Garrett Trails Web site.
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Multiple Parks
Paddle the Middle Potomac
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Paddling
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Potomac River Harpers Ferry-Riverbend Park
- Duration: 2–4 Days
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
Paddle from Potoma (sic) Wayside, at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, or another launch site and take out at Algonkian Regional Park or Riverbend Park (both Virginia side). Camp at sites along the C & O Canal Towpath, reserve a night in a historic lockhouse (river left upstream of Point of Rocks), reserve a cabin at Algonkian Regional Park (two-night minimum) or find a B & B or hotel. This trip can be combined with hiking and bicycling.
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Tags
- potomac heritage national scenic trail
- potomac heritage national scenic trail
- captain john smith chesapeake national historic trail
- chesapeake bay
- potomac heritage national scenic trail
- star-spangled banner national historic trail
- potomac heritage national scenic trail
- chesapeake & ohio canal national historical park
- potomac heritage national scenic trail
- washington dc
- washington d.c.
- dc history
Last updated: December 18, 2023