HomeCruiser_2026_09_Sep_Oct_Flatwater

Nearby Potomac Offers Fine Exploration Options for Mild-Mannered Paddling

By Dean Hawes

Editor's note: Dean Hawes, who coordinates the club's weekly Wednesday evening paddling, handled a query in September from an enthusiast who wrote to CCA asking for recommendations for flatwater kayaking on the Potomac. Dean was happy to respond with some of his favorite local, non-rapid Potomac paddles.

I love whitewater, but I also spend a lot of time in my touring kayak on the Potomac. I'm not sure if you are on the Virginia side or the Maryland side, but here are some ideas for both. I have to tell you that the Potomac in its slow current areas is pretty wide and at times not super interesting by itself (IMO), so I like to find runs that have interesting islands and such to explore.

1. Algonkian Park (Countryside, VA)

I like to put in at the boat ramp. You can paddle downstream until you hit Sugarland Run on your right. This is a small creek that is easy to paddle up. If the water is low it can get still and buggy. But when the level is normal, it's a fun creek to explore. And it's an easy paddle back up stream to the Algonkian boat ramp.

Or you can start at the boat ramp and paddle up river. If you stay to the left there are some little islands to paddle around up there, or you can stay in the main flow of the river and paddle as far up as you like. It's a downriver paddle back to the boat ramp.

2. Riley's Lock on Seneca Creek (Seneca, MD)

This is kind of like the Algonkian run, but in the other direction. If you put in at the boat ramp at Riley's Lock, you will be on Seneca Creek, which dumps directly into the Potomac (you can see the Potomac from the boat ramp). From there, you can turn right into the Potomac and paddle up the river and either explore the Maryland side or the Virginia side, which has the features I described in #1. If you go left down the Potomac you will hit the Seneca Breaks, which is a series of small rapids. Very easy to go down, but tricky to go back up.

3. Fletchers Boathouse (DC)

This is a popular spot, so it can get a little crowded. You can go upriver for about a mile or two, then you hit Chain Bridge. Above that, the water may get a little rougher (and you'll be stopped by Little Falls), but if you stay downriver of the bridge you'll be fine. Or you can paddle downstream and get nice views of DC and Roosevelt island.

Kayakers at Riley's Lock (photo by Larry Lempert)

4. Point of Rocks, MD

There is a launch area just off of Route 15, immediately next to the river on the Maryland side. There is a little bit of current up here, and occasional rock sticking up in the water, but no rapids. I think this is a nice scenic paddle going upstream or down. I would pay attention to the current if you decide to start by paddling downstream. There are some islands and creeks to explore in either direction.

5. Riverbend Park (Great Falls, VA)

There is a little bit of current here, and maybe a few small rapids that are unclassified (less than Class I). I think this is a beautiful area to explore. Many islands, amazing wildlife, and interesting current flows that may be fun to play in, but nothing that will get you into trouble if you're a seasoned recreational paddler. On this run, you can only go upstream, since Great Falls is about two miles downriver from the launch area. [Alf Cooley notes that there is a compelling loop option incorporating the Riverbend Park area and the C&O Canal, described on the CCA website.]