Trip Idea

Float Your Boat in the National Capital Region

Multiple Parks

Float
  • 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
    view of lake with trees on all sides from cockpit of a kayak

    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
    river with trees on both sides

    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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    • 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
    a curving concrete pathway and green border along water with a sloping kayak launch

    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
    bow of a kayak on flatwater surrounded by forest

    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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    • 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
    kayaker on a calm, wide river with forested hillsides on both shorelines

    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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Last updated: December 18, 2023