With the Potomac River right across the towpath and Taylor’s Landing boat ramp just a short walk away, it’s easy to get out on the river and spend some time kayaking, canoeing, or tubing. It’s a great way to beat the summer heat, do a little fishing, or just relax and enjoy nature while floating along. We go as often as we can, and lately our favorite time is the early evening. Catching the sunset during the last minutes of the trip is almost magical!
ACCESS POINTS
Here are the nearby put-in and take-out locations that we use all the time.
Put-In: Below Dam 4 – Maryland side – Mile Marker 84.5 on the C&O Canal – small parking area
We unload everything at the starred spot along Dam 4 Road. Then we haul it all down the little path through the trees that leads across the towpath and down the bank to a small, sandy, beach-like area where we launch.
Put-In / Take-Out: Taylor’s Landing Boat Ramp – Maryland side – Mile Marker 81 on the C&O Canal – small parking area & restroom
Put-In / Take-Out: Snyder’s Landing Boat Ramp – Maryland side – Mile Marker 77 on the C&O Canal – small parking area & restroom
Take-Out: Shepherdstown Boat Ramp – West Virginia side – Mile Marker 72.75 on the C&O Canal – small parking area
RIVER LEVEL
It’s important to know the water level of the river before heading out! The closest river gauge is the Shepherdstown gauge where 1.7 feet is “normal”, 2.7 is “caution”, and 5.8 is “danger”. You can check the current level by clicking here. More information can be found here, and we highly recommend reading through this information and following the guidelines carefully to help ensure your safety.
In addition to the river level, be sure to check the weather forecast. Needless to say, the river isn’t the best place to be when a thunderstorm rolls in!
FISHING LICENSES
Want to do some fishing? Before you cast that line, be sure to get your license. Head over to Maryland DNR’s website where you can do it all on-line – quick and easy.
GEAR
Here are some of our favorites that we use all the time!
Dry Bag
To keep necessities safe and dry, I purchased this dry bag a few summers ago, and I use it every time we take to the river by kayak or canoe. I have the 20L, and it’s pretty big! Big enough to stow a beach towel (maybe even two) plus a lot more. A great feature of this bag is the window! It makes it so much easier to locate items that gravitate to the bottom of the bag. If I got another one, I would get a 10L and use it when I only need to bring a few things along.
Water Shoes
It’s a REALLY good idea to wear water shoes in the river! They’re made to get wet, provide a lot of protection from rocks, help with stability when walking on the uneven river bottom, and they stay on your feet sooooo much better than flip flops, foam clog-type shoes, or sandals.
Binoculars
Not an absolute necessity, but with all the wonderful birds and wildlife that abound along the river, they are great to have handy. However, because binoculars can get VERY pricey, it’s a bit risky to bring an expensive pair along on a float trip. So I have this basic pair tucked in my dry bag. It gets the job done nicely and it wouldn’t be a huge loss if they accidentally got dunked. Personally, I love being able to get a close-up view of the bald eagles flying around overhead, the turtles along the riverbank, and the herons standing statue-like on watch for their dinner. We even spotted a loon once!
Seat Pads
I was lucky to have been gifted this seat pad a couple Christmases ago. When I first saw it I thought it would be too thin to do much good, but when I started using it I found that it really does work well. It sure makes spending a couple hours in a kayak at lot more comfortable!
Waterproof Action Camera
A definite non-necessity, but a SUPER FUN mini-splurge is a waterproof action camera. I decided to go with this very budget-friendly model, and I’ve been quite happily surprised with how well it performs! I love being able to relive the trip and share the adventure with friends and family!
Giant Sponges
Yes, seriously! I know it might sound a little crazy, but these giant sponges come in especially handy when we’re in our kayaks. We bring them along (one per person) to take care of any water that splashes in the boat. Soak up the water with the sponge and then squeeze it back out into the river. They work great!
CANOE / KAYAK / TUBE RENTALS
If you don’t have or didn’t bring your own equipment, don’t worry! You won’t be left out of the fun. 🙂 You can rent equipment in nearby Shepherdstown at Shepherdstown Pedal & Paddle. (And, by the way, they rent bicycles too!)