KAYAKING & TUBING ON ANTIETAM CREEK
In addition to all the opportunities for fun that the Potomac River offers, visitors have a second, excellent option for aquatic adventuring – nearby Antietam Creek! “The Creek”, as we call it, is the perfect destination to escape the summer heat for a day of kayaking or tubing, and it sets itself apart from the river in several ways.
Shade & Seclusion
Much narrower than the Potomac River, the tall trees on Antietam Creek’s banks reach across the water to create long stretches of canopy, cooling shade, and the feeling of seclusion and intimacy.
A Trip Through History
As you travel down the creek, you’ll be passing by many places of beauty and historic significance: centuries-old farmhouses, arched, stone bridges, abandoned railroad bridge piers, and the place where, on September 17th, 1862, the creek ran red with blood – Burnside Bridge. On that day, the deadliest one-day battle in American history, about 500 Confederate Army soldiers from Georgia prevented the Union Army from crossing the bridge for several hours. Finally, around 1:00 p.m. the 51st Pennsylvania Infantry and the 51st New York Volunteer Infantry finally crossed over and took the bridge.
Fun Little Rapids!
Yep! Alternating between sections of calm, you’ll find some excitement as you paddle through a series of Class I and II+ rapids, riffles, and ledges. If you go all the way to the Potomac, you will get to paddle through the wildest rapid wavetrain of the course, Furnace Rapids, just before reaching the calm waters of the Potomac.
Access Points
Devil’s Backbone Park – County park with moderately-sized parking lot, restrooms, picnic tables, pavilions, playground equipment, etc.
Route 34 Bridge – Very small parking lot. On popular summer afternoons many people use the shoulders of Rt. 34 (Shepherdstown Pike) as overflow parking.
Molly’s Hole – Very limited parking almost entirely along Burnside Bridge Road. We have left a car here when Molly’s Hole was our take-out point, but that’s not ideal. This location works better when you can arrange for you and your gear to be dropped off or picked up by someone who is not joining in on the trip.
Antietam Creek Campground – Parking along Canal Road. After entering the Potomac from Antietam Creek, we paddle about 100 yards upstream to the take-out point. The river is usually quite calm in that area, so we have never had any problem in our kayaks. Tubing upstream could prove more difficult, so tubers may want to consider exiting the creek on the right just before going under the Harpers Ferry Road bridge.
Water Level
Along with a check of the weather, we always make sure to take the time to find out the current water level of the creek before heading out. The Antietam Creek gauge, which is physically located just a bit downstream from Burnside Bridge, is a great resource for this information. Click on the link above and scroll down the page until you see the section and graph titled “Gauge height, feet”. Anything below 2.5 feet is not recommended. When the creek gets that low it becomes very difficult to avoid and maneuver around all the exposed rocks. Everyone has their own preferences, but mine is right around 3 feet or just above. Difficultly level and the need for experience, increases with the water level.
Antietam Creek Gauge 
OUTFITTERS
Looking for an outfitter to supply all the necessary gear, provide transportation, a bit of instruction, and maybe even a guide or lunch? Here are a couple in the area to check out: River & Trail Outfitters & Antietam Creek Canoe.
GEAR
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- Kayak (or Tube)
- Kayak Paddle
- Life Vests
- Seat Pads (you’ll thank yourself)
- Large Dry Bag
- Cell Phone Dry Bag (Hot Tip: keep your car key(s) in your phone bag to prevent losing them!)
- Water Shoes (Men’s / Women’s)
- Sunglasses (with a floating retainer strap)
- Sunscreen
- Beach Towel
- Binoculars
- A Big Sponge (we think they work great for bailing out any water that splashes in)
- Visor or Hat
- Small Cooler (or Cooler Tube) packed with refreshments, water, snacks or lunch
- Waterproof Action Camera (not necessary, but really fun!)
It’s hard to beat the fun of a day kayaking or tubing on Antietam Creek. We hope we’ll see you out there soon!