Gunpowder River in Maryland

Trip Overview

The Gunpowder River is a trout stream between Prettyboy Reservoir and Loch Raven Reservoir. During the months of August and September they release water from the upper reservoir to keep things fresh for the fish. This is an ideal time to go on the river. You will want to call ahead to "Backwater Angler" to make sure the water level is high enough. It needs to be at least 1.7. The scenery of this river is beautiful and serene. There are enough rough spots to make it interesting and one spot that if you don't wear a spray skirt you WILL get wet! You do have to go under the highway at one point, but it's brief enough that the remaining 2 hours and 45 minutes are not spoiled. You put in at Masemore Road and take out at Monkton Road. If you need to take a shorter run (2 hours) you can park your car at Blue Mount Road instead. The put in and take out are only about 15 minutes apart, which makes it nice at the end.

Accommodations:

There is a train station just beyond the bridge at Oll Monkton Road. There is a bathroom in the train station. There is also a bike path starting at the train station that runs along beside the river, which is quite nice to ride or walk on.

Directions:

Take Interstate 83 north from Baltimore to Mt. Carmel Road. Turn right at the top of the ramp and go to the traffic light at York Road. Turn right and go just a short distance to Monkton Road. Turn Left. Follow the road (Blue Mount Road is on the left a short distance before Old Monkton Road)to the bridge at Old Monkton Road. There's usually plenty of parking along side of the road.

From the ramp at 83 to get to Masemore Road, turn left and follow the road a little way to Masemore Road, which is on the right. Follow Masemore until you go (carefully) around the house (you can't miss the house). Follow the road to the bottom of the hill and you'll see a parking area just before the bridge that crosses the river.