Broad Creek Landing in Maryland

Trip Overview

Broad Creek is a small river that feeds into the Susquehanna River north of the Conowingo Dam in Harford County, Maryland. There is a small public, no fee, landing site located on Flintville Rd, MD Rte 623, right before the road crosses Broad Creek. Broad Creek varies from a few inches in depth and about 30 feet wide at the maximum distance of kayaking westbound from the landing, to almost 1/4 mile wide where it meets the mighty Susquehanna. Numerous vacation homes are located along the banks of the river, so weekends tend to be busy on the water. You can spend as little or as much time as you like here, exploring just the Broad Creek area or branching out into the Susquehanna and the corresponding Conowingo Reservoir. Of course, as you get out onto the River, the more variables in the environment you will have to deal with. Also note there is a prohibition on approaching within 400 yards of the Conowingo Dam. On Broad Creek, waterfowl abound, with many Blue Herons, Kingfishers, Ducks, and Geese to keep you company. There are numerous families of Bald Eagles nesting in the area as well near the Dam. This is a pleasant place to spend a day.

Accommodations:

Many places to stop and eat on the drive up. No places to paddle up to unless someone is cooking on their deck on the river.

Outfitting:

Autumn Sky Outfitters is on Conowingo Rd if you have any supply needs.

Fees:

None known.

Directions:

From Baltimore Take I 95 North to Rt 152 exit. Take Rt 152 North (towards Fallston) to US Rt 1. Make a right on US RT 1, take the Rt 1 Bypass ( stay straight ) when you come to it. The US 1 Bypass eventually rejoins business Rt 1, and becomes Conowingo Rd at this point. Take Rt 1 north until the intersection of Castleton Rd / MD Rt 623. (There is a traffic light here, and a MSP Weigh Station on the north side of Rt 1 ) Make a left on Rt 623 and follow it until it makes a hard right and becomes Flintville Rd / Rt 623. Take Flintville Rd / Rt 623 to Broad Creek Landing, on your right. Be careful, it is at the bottom of the hill just prior to the bridge over Broad Creek and is easy to miss.

Coming from Cecil County, take Rt 1 south across the dam, at the light for Md Rt 623 make a right, and follow the instructions above.

Launches:

Small boat ramp with a partial dock to one side. No fee, unmonitored area. Parking limited at the site itself, there is a parking lot across the street at the intersection of Flintville and Paddrick Rds.