Steve Smolinski - 30+ Kayaking Tours Within One Hour of Washington, D.C.

Copyright 2013 by Steven Smolinski

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages.

Interior photographs by the author unless otherwise specified
Maps by Erin Greb Cartography, The Countryman Press
Book design by Faith Hague
Book composition by PerfecType, Nashville, TN

Published by The Countryman Press, P.O. Box 748, Woodstock, VT 05091

Distributed by W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 500 Fifth Avenue,
New York, NY 10110

Printed in the United States of America

30 Kayaking Tours within One Hour of Washington, D.C.
ISBN 978-1-581-57159-2
ISBN 978-1-581-57733-4 (e-book)

To my beautiful wife, Karen, and our awesome parents,

Joe & JoAnn and Bill & Bamby

Numbers in black circles refer to sites listed in the Contents, opposite

M Y WIFE , Karen, and I have been avid kayakers in the local Washington, D.C., area for over 10 years, and while there is a wealth of information on the Internet about places to paddle in proximity to downtown District of Columbia, there is no one single reference guide that includes a detailed description of numerous trips within an hour of the nations capital. Being both busy professionals, we found it advantageous to limit the driving we have to do to pursue a particular recreational activity. While most of these routes cover a range of paddling times from, on average, 2 to 4 hours, almost all can be extended several more hours if desired.

We have paddled every one of these trips multiple times and in different seasons. We have found that shortly after dawn and just before the sun sets are the best times of day to view wildlife in these places. This is especially true during the peak season for water activities in the mid-Atlantic states, April to September. However, we have made several trips in the middle of the day and have often seen a wide variety of birds and aquatic wildlife.

Easy-to-follow directions to all put-in sites have been included for each trip, as well as information on facilities and other activities available at each location. Each trip has route descriptions and GPS way-points to help guide you. Also, where applicable, we have provided historical notes of interest about the sites.

Finally, if you plan to paddle several of the sites in Northern Virginia, you should consider purchasing an Occoquan Watertrail League (OWL) pass for the year. The membership gives you year-round access to many of the parks and routes in this book, including Fountainhead, Occoquan Regional Park, Pohick Bay, Bull Run Marina (restricted access; additional $15 for a key), and Algonkian Park. The passes can be purchased at Fountainhead Regional Park, (703-250-9124), described in more detail in .

The author and his wife paddling the James River

For those readers who do not have their own kayaks, or if friends join you who do not have kayaks, launch sites that rent them are listed below. Information about rental costs and amenities is included in each chapter.

Beginner Paddling Routes

1. Quiet Waters Park

2. Seneca Creek Park

Washington, D.C.

3. Thompson Boat Center

4. Fletchers Boat House

6. Bladensburg Waterfront Park

Virginia

8. Belle Haven Marina

10. Occoquan Regional Park

11. Lake Ridge Park and Marina

11. Fountainhead Regional Park

15. Pohick Bay Regional Park

16. Mason Neck State Park

17. Leesylvania State Park

19. Algonkian Regional Park

Maryland

21. Black Hill Regional Park

24. Selbys Landing

24. Up the Creek Rentals (Mattawoman Creek)

25. Fort Washington Marina

Paddles Farther Afield

27. Anita C. Leight Estuary Center

Kayaking is a sport that can be enjoyed year-round in the mid-Atlantic states with the proper gear and preparation. We have paddled in every month of the year and have found different joys in each of the four seasons. Some of the most unique paddles have involved breaking through a thin layer of ice in some of the smaller channels at Columbia Island Marina in Arlington, Virginia, and Queen Anne Bridge on the Patuxent River in Maryland.

For those trips described here on waterways (as opposed to lakes or reservoirs), its always best to check the tides, because, in many cases, accessibility in some of the smaller tributaries is restrained by water level. Also, while the tidal range in Virginia and Maryland tributaries averages only 1 to 3 feet, when combined with a moderate breeze, this is enough to produce conditions that can challenge the fittest of paddlers. Paddling during slack-tide time (two hours before and after high and low tides) minimizes the effect of current associated with tidal fluctuations.

It is recommended you take a few moments before launch to assess the prevailing conditions, and if you have a choice (which most of these tours provide), it is usually best to paddle up-wind, against the current, first, so you will be less fatigued toward the end of the paddle. Sometimes winds can be very finicky, but you can usually ascertain a prevailing direction.

Please refer to the appendix, which lists Web sites that provide daily information on tides. With a few clicks of a mouse, you can find the current days and next days tides for sites up and down the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, and tributaries in Maryland and Virginia.

A properly outfitted kayaker and boat can make the difference between an enjoyable experience and one that you never wish to repeat. While this list is mostly common sense and by no means comprehensive, it suggests the basic gear necessary for a safe and enjoyable paddle.

Necessary

Along with drinking water, carry the following safety equipment, stored in waterproof bags:

Cell phone

First-aid kit

Flashlight

Paddle float

Sponge

Whistle

Recommended

Chart

Compass

Energy bars

Gloves (to avoid blisters)

Bilge pump

Polypropylene clothing (because it dries quickly)

Sunglasses (to fight reflection from water surface)

Sunscreen

Colder Weather

Booties

Lip balm

Dry clothing (tops and bottoms, stored in waterproof bags)

Spray skirt

Waterproof gloves

Nice to Have

Binoculars

Digital camera

GPS