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Whitewater Runs on Potomac River

21 runs (7 nearby)

Difficulty Classes

I Easy II Novice III Intermediate IV Advanced V Expert/Extreme VI Unrunnable

Position relative to this access site: Put-in at this location This location is on the run Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here

I Put-in at this location 0.2 Paw Paw Tunnel Campground to Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Landing

21.0 mi

I Downstream from here (7.7 mi to put-in) 0.3 Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp to Hancock, MD

16.8 mi

I Downstream from here (21.8 mi to put-in) 0.35 Hancock, MD to Big Pool/Fort Frederick Campground

12.0 mi

I Downstream from here (31.0 mi to put-in) 0.4 Big Pool/Fort Frederick Campground to Williamsport MD

16.7 mi

I Downstream from here (43.5 mi to put-in) 0.5 Dam # 4 to Shepherdstown WV

12.0 mi

I Downstream from here (45.7 mi to put-in) 0.6 Shepherdstown, WV to Dargans Bend Boat Ramp

8.0 mi

I Upstream from here (42.1 mi from take-out) 0.45 Williamsport to Dam #4

14.0 mi

These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.

II+ 51 mi away 0.7 Dargans Bend Boat Ramp to Potoma Wayside, VA or Weverton, MD

5.5 mi 5 ft/mi

I-II 53 mi away 0.8 Potoma Wayside, VA or Weverton, MD to Point of Rocks MD

12.0 mi

I 66 mi away 0.9 Point of Rocks to Mouth of Monocacy

6.2 mi

V+ 91 mi away 3. Great Falls (Center Lines)

0.4 mi 100 ft/mi

IV-V(V+) 91 mi away 3. Great Falls (Fish Ladder)

0.4 mi 100 ft/mi

V+ 91 mi away 3. Great Falls (MD Lines)

0.4 mi 100 ft/mi

V 91 mi away 3. Great Falls (VA Lines)

0.4 mi 100 ft/mi

V+ 91 mi away 3. Through Great Falls (several runs)

0.4 mi

II-III(IV) 91 mi away 4. Sandy Beach/O-Deck to Anglers Inn

2.2 mi 8 ft/mi

V 91 mi away Clara Barton Parkway to C&O Canal

0.1 mi

II 93 mi away 5. Anglers Inn to Lock 10

4.2 mi

I 97 mi away 6. Lock 10 to Sycamore Island

2.3 mi

IV(V) 101 mi away 2. Glebe Road to the Potomac

0.1 mi

III+(IV) 100 mi away 7. Little Falls

2.4 mi 15 ft/mi

Whitewater data from American Whitewater

About This Access Site

The Paw Paw boat ramp, located near the bridge in Paw Paw, WV, provides convenient access to the Potomac River with a large parking area for vehicle and trailer parking. The ramp is situated in Festival Park and is maintained by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The town of Paw Paw offers year-round services including grocery stores and restaurants, making it a practical stop for paddlers and boaters.

Be aware that water levels and conditions can change significantly at this location. The Potomac can reach caution and danger levels during high water periods, with fast-moving water and unpredictable current changes. At high water stages, water approaches the top of the boat ramp itself. Paddlers should check current water conditions before launching and exercise appropriate caution given the river's variable character. Overnight accommodations are available nearby, including the Red Rooster Hostel and the Paw Paw Tunnel Campground (on the Maryland side of the river), which offers 10 reservable campsites through Recreation.gov.

Federal Facility Information

Free Access Reservations Available

Overview
The Paw Paw Tunnel Campground is located at Mile 156 on the C&O Canal Towpath on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, across from the town of Paw Paw in West Virginia. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.Facilities
There are 10 single campsites, each has a picnic table, fire ring and grill. Each site can accommodate eight people. If there is a larger group, reserve two sites next to...

Overview
The Paw Paw Tunnel Campground is located at Mile 156 on the C&O Canal Towpath on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, across from the town of Paw Paw in West Virginia. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.Facilities
There are 10 single campsites, each has a picnic table, fire ring and grill. Each site can accommodate eight people. If there is a larger group, reserve two sites next to each other. Portable toilets are available. Hand pump water is available from April 15-November 1.Natural Features
Tucked in the mountains of Western Maryland and adjacent to Green Ridge State Forest, experience the history and culture of the area as well as its natural beauty, which is plentiful all times of the year, but especially during autumn.
Nearby Attractions
Continue your adventures at Green Ridge State Forest! The city of Cumberland, MD is just 25 miles (40 km) west on MD Route 51.
Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (301) 739-4200.Charges & Cancellations
Cancellations
A cancellation is the release of a confirmed reservation prior to the start of the defined late cancellation time frame which results in non-use by the original customer.

Camping and Day Use Facilities
Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.

Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window
• Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
• Group Facility: Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.
• Group Day Use Area: Customers who cancel a group day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will forfeit the total day-use fee.

Paw Paw

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Whitewater Runs on Potomac River

Difficulty Classes

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