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General
According to the North American Water Trails Association, "A water trail is a stretch of river, a shoreline, or an ocean that has been mapped out with the intent to create an educational, scenic, and challenging experience for recreational canoers and kayakers."
Considered an integral part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail concept, the Potomac River Water Trail offers exciting opportunities to experience the varied landscapes and rich history of the Potomac River. The Potomac River transects five distinct physiographic provinces, each associated with the development of our Nation and each shaped by the interaction of climate, topography, geology, flora and fauna and human activities. Our heritage is a product of these landscapes, reflecting patterns of human activity shaped by geography, both through the physical features that remain and the traditions that have evolved in them.
Like a land trail, the Potomac River Water Trail offers users diverse experiences — from short trips to enjoy the sights and sounds of the River — to prolonged excursions to explore a natural or historical theme in-depth. Some choose to combine boating with other outdoor pursuits. With a bit of planning, for example, one may choose to hike along the C&O Canal Towpath, drop in a canoe or kayak at a designated canoe access area, canoe down the river, and camp at one of many designated camping areas. Various outfitters throughout the corridor are available to help with the planning and logistics involved in such a trip.
A tidal Potomac River Water Trail map set highlighting access points along the southern reaches of the river from Washington D.C. to the Chesapeake Bay was produced in 2001 through the cooperative efforts of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. These six colorful maps lead one through landscapes rich with history such as Historic Alexandria; Mt. Vernon; George Washington's Birthplace; Point Lookout and more. The maps contain information on each access point, including the availability of restrooms, boating facilities, historical interest, overnight accommodations, camping and food services. The water trail maps also include GPS (Global Positioning System) information on access sites as well as boating safety tips and emergency phone numbers.
In April 2002, a second set of five Upper Potomac River Water Trail maps was produced by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The maps delineate approximately 115 miles of the Potomac River and the C&O Canal from Sheperdstown, West Virginia upstream to Potomac Park in Cumberland Maryland. Here one can visit the Fairfax Stone, travel through the Paw Paw bends, investigate Big Pool or explore the town of Sheperdstown West Virginia. Printed on waterproof, tearproof paper the maps include information on boating, public access sites, support facilities, camping and fishing sites, and picnic and parking areas. The above Water Trail maps can be purchased from the contacts listed in blue below.
First published in the 1980s, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin provides a map for the middle Potomac between Opequon Creek and Georgetown. In addition, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is planning to produce a new set of maps for the middle Potomac, between Shepherdstown, West Virginia, and Georgetown, as soon as funding is secured.
Contacts
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin
6110 Executive Blvd, Suite 300
Rockville, MD 20852-3903
phone: (301)984-1908
email: info@potomac-commission.org
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Maryland Greenways Commission
580 Taylor Ave., E2
Annapolis MD 21401
(410) 260-8780; FAX 410-260-8779
email: lgutierrez@dnr.state.md.us
National Park Service
C&O Canal National Historical Park
1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100
Hagerstown, MD 21740-6620
(301) 739-4200
North American Water Trails
1730 K St. NW #300
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 496-0236
Virginia Dept. of Conservation & Recreation
Div. of Planning and Recreation Resources
203 Governor Street, Suite 213
Richmond, VA 23219-2094
(804) 786-5046
email: pco@dcr.state.va.us
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
State Capitol Complex, Building 3 Room 669
1900 Kanawha Boulevard
Charleston, WV 25305-0060
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