Antietam is a gentle stretch of intimate cold water creek (browns and Rainbows!) steeped in significant history and blessed with Mother Nature's best foot forward. The scenery is beautiful, water clear, clean, cold and generally shallow. Fun to paddle, swim, fish and fiddle around. "our" section of the creek runs from just south of Hagerstown, Funkstown, to the Potomac.
Antietam is a class I creek which means that, at normal water levels, a boater needs some skill and boat control in moving water to avoid hazards. It should not be attempted by un-shepherded beginners. (Lots of rocks, twists, turns, bridges, strainers, riffles and rapids as well as flat water in the 22 miles of creek that we paddle.) Some rapids notably Furnace, Poffenberger and Wagaman can be more like a class II if the water is up and after storms clogged with strainers.
[see reality check for Antietam Creek]
Antietam Creek Historic and Adventure Trips.
[suitable for rec. kayaks and canoe]
Our Antietam Creek Guided Trip [ our A. trip] starts at Devil's Backbone In Boonsboro, Maryland With a River paddling orientation and meanders down stream through 8 miles of intimate and historic creek, through the Antietam Battlefield and under Burnside Bridge where it ends with a drop through "Molly's Hole", just above the take out, on river left. [about 4 hours on the water ] All boats and gear provided. Bring lunch and personals.
Cost : $63 for RA, REI, ACA and Active Military members with member numbers, $70 for non members.
2008 schedule: Guided Trips start at 10am finish about 3pm see details on the web page.
Most week days throughout season.
Weekends :
April-12, 13, 19, 20, 26,27
May-24,25, Mem. Day 26, 31.
June 1,7,8,14,15,28,29.
July 4,13,26,27.
August 9,10,23,24,30,31.
Note: All these available trip dates run on a reservations basis. Without confirmed reservations the trips are not run. Lined through dates above have canoe classes scheduled on the same day. The first confirmed reservation dictates the event for that day. class or trip.
Fall Color Trips Oct and Nov. Winter snow trips weather permitting.
Time to get out the history book, wildlife book and paddling primer.
Travel time about 1 hour from the 495 Beltway , roughly 50 miles from DC or Baltimore.
Links that may be helpful
Directions
what to bring
about the creek
reality Check
Lower Map
A. Trip Detail. our most asked for trip - DEVIL'S BACKBONE THROUGH ANTIETAM BATTLEFIELD TO BURNSIDE BRIDGE TAKE-OUT. [8 miles 4 hours] Guided Trip. [see map of "lower section"] can be run at levels down to 2.6 feet, appropriate for Rec. kayaks, river Kayaks and Canoes.
- Arrive at Devil's Backbone at 10AM. Fill out WAIVERS, Discuss waivers, pay fees not pre paid with reservation , draw your boat, paddles, life jackets and gear. [Check what to bring above]
- Unload all the gear you want to take on the trip. [make sure your car keys are safe] Ask the guide for stuff you forgot or need. Run shuttle if required.
- Carry your boat and gear to the creek [about 30 feet] for an orientation talk, instruction and demo. [takes about 10 - 20 minutes or as long [up to 2 hr class]or short as the group wants]
- Put on the creek at about 11 AM , and off you go on the first leg through small rapids, riffles, ledges, bends and unspoiled country on perfect cold, clear water. Pass Beaver Creek, German stone on stone Farm houses and Barns, under stone arched bridges .... all in the two hour paddle to your lunch stop at "Two goose Island" or the long abandoned narrow gauge railroad grade on River left. [you provide the lunch unless you have made arrangements with us to do so].
- After lunch, paddle about 1 1/2 hours to the take out a little below Burnside Bridge. On this leg we go Under the three arch stone Keedysville Bridge [Upper Bridge in Civil War concept] past Little Antietam Creek where, if the water is right, we can paddle up to a beautiful 5 story mill that's worth the trip; past the water fall on river right [photo op] that marks the battlefield and McClellan's headquarters on river left [far from the actual battle] Then under the Middle Bridge and lastly Burnside Bridge...... Go softly here and " Sense the ferment of a place where, one Wednesday morning six hundred people died trying to cross that little stone arch. It's like boating the ruins of some myth cast cathedral whose last requiem plain song won't go away." Take a deep breath. Then paddle down through Molly's hole [which looks bigger than it really is]. The Take out is just beyond on River left where the bank is low and shallow.
- Take out, load boats, board the "Discover Bus" or your own cars for the 15 minute trip back to Devil's Backbone with a soft drink and snack. It's now about 3 or 3:30PM .
- The cost of this Guided trip with orientation $70 [with 2 hour lesson $90]. We teach what is relevant to the trip; all equipment, and expenses included.
- Payment may be made by PayPal or by Mail, check, MO etc. e-mail or call if there is a question. ,
- Other trips on Antietam Creek:
Guided trip - A. [same as above] Devil’s Backbone to Burnside Bridge through The Antietam Battlefield. “Lower section” 8 miles, about 4 hours. Need 2.6 on the Sharpsburg gauge. Our most requested trip. [With lesson $90; guided $70]
Guided trip - B. Devils Backbone to the Potomac. Includes trip A. and adds on about 4 miles With Furnace Rapids just above the take out. 12 miles , 6 hours. This is the “paddler’s” trip very long for non paddlers. [Guided $80,] We also run this trip so that part of your group can take out at Burnside and the remainder continue on to the Potomac ]
Guided trip - C. Burnside Bridge to the Potomac. Our short trip 4 miles. A good winter trip [beautiful in the snow] and a great mid summer tubing float. [trying not to confuse things - this trip C. added to above trip A. gives you trip B. which is the whole lower section see lower map] [cost depends on customer requirements]
Guided Trip - D. Funkstown Firehouse to Devils Backbone. “Upper section” 4 nice rapids [scout the Bridge Rapids]. 10 miles 5 hours. Need 3.2 on the Sharpsburg Gauge. Trip D requires scouting and is for paddlers with some experience. see upper map [guided trip $70]
[Travel time about 1 hour from the 495 Beltway Directions