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Canoeing
Location Patapsco Valley State Park, Daniels Area, 410-461-5005
Access Site Access the river above the Daniels Dam where Daniels Road meets with the Patapsco River. A parking and access area is on the left side of Daniels Road. From Route 40 West, turn right onto Rogers Avenue. Make a right turn onto Old Frederick Road and a left turn onto Daniels Road. Follow the road to the river. Due to the backwater from the dam, paddlers can park one car at this location, paddle upriver and return via the same route to the car.
In the spring or after a hard rain when water levels are up, paddlers may wish to start the trip at Woodstock Road (Route 125) where it crosses the river and paddle downstream to Daniels Road.
Distance 4.7 river miles from the Daniels Dam upriver to Woodstock Road. About 2 river miles is easily accessible during low water conditions, due to the backwater from the Daniels Dam. The remainder is accessible in the spring or 3-4 days after a hard rain. Paddlers may determine the length of their own trip by paddling upriver and turning around at any point.
Time 2-5 hours, depending on distance paddled
Difficulty Easy
Suitable For Families? Yes (older children)
Hazards/Restrictions Pets must be leashed at all times. Personal flotation devices (life jackets) are required. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. The river bottom may have jagged rocks, debris or slippery objects. Wear shoes that can get wet.
Potable Water Water and restrooms are not available. Carry in your own water.
Natural Features The Patapsco River flows through a piedmont stream valley with steep-sided walls. The river winds peacefully through a wooded gorge with bouldery rock gardens of hard, erosion-resistant mica schist rock. Near the river's edge, sycamores, box elder, and other floodplain tree species predominate. The vegetation in the floodplain is constantly regrowing and can appear somewhat disturbed due to the river frequently flooding its banks. Nearby the steep-sided hills of the river valley are wooded with upland hardwood species including American Beech, tulip poplar, and oaks in the canopy with mountain laurel, dogwood, witch hazel, spicebush, redbud, serviceberry and other shrubs in the understory. Numerous migratory songbirds and waterfowl frequent the river and its riparian habitat. Look for Belted Kingfishers, Great Blue Heron, Little Green Heron, Killdeer and various species of ducks. A bald eagle has been spotted in this area. Rainbow and brown trout are stocked in the river in the spring, but the higher water tempteratures do not sustain them year-round. Small mouth bass abound here.
Historic/Cultural Features The Patapsco River gorge was once a major industrial area during the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The river's falling waters provided water power to turn gears of many kinds of factories. Most of the mill towns were company-owned. The town of Daniels is no exception. A textile mill operated in this area. The 15 foot Daniels Dam is all that remains from this industry. Floods, time and obsolescence have left many of the Patapsco's industries in ruin. Although the village of Daniels no longer exists after the flood of Agnes in 1972, its community of people remains intact.
Daniels boasts its own brass band and has reunions for its former residents who come to reminisce about their hard-working life along the peaceful waters of the Patapsco. The Patapsco River was once an important spawning and nursery area for anadromous fish, such as shad and herring. For years, dams have blocked their historic migrations. Recent construction of fish ladders around these dams have now re-opened the spawning areas.
Camping Campgrounds are located at Hollofield (Route 40 in Ellicott City) and Hilton (off Rolling Road on Hilton Avenue) areas of the park.
Rentals Canoes and carriers can be rented from Springriver Corporation on Route 40 in Catonsville, 410-788-3377.
Other Points of Interest A 2-mile trail, the Trail of the Camel's Den, parallels the river on an old railroad bed and visits a small cave. Fishing for trout and small mouth bass is a popular activity in the river. Picnic areas and playgrounds are located at the Hollofield Area of the park off of Route 40. The park headquarters is also located in the Hollofield Area and provides a few exhibits about local history. Nearby the Ellicott City historic district offers antique shops, gift shops and restaurants. The B&O Railroad Station Museum and the Firehouse Museum are two interesting stops there that appeal to families. Across the River in Oella is the Benjamin Banneker Park.
Other Accommodations Hotels/motels are located along Route 40 in Ellicott City.
Fees or Permits None for the Daniels Area. A service charge of $2 per person is collected at the entrance gate to the Hollofield Area.
Description Paddlers enjoy the calm backwaters created by the dam before entering rocky piedmont sections. The twisting river winds through a steep gorge. Soon after the put-in paddlers will see old stone bridge abutments from a former train trestle for the B&O Railroad. The railroad currently parallels the northern bank of the river, but a rail track once traced the southern bank as well. Paddlers will see hikers following a trail that uses this old rail bed. Anglers will find access to the river along this rail bed as well.
The backwater of the dam provides calm water for approximately the first two miles upriver from the dam, after which large boulders and rock gardens punctuate the waters. Paddlers should keep to the outside of the river bends to avoid shallow areas where canoes can become stuck. Once among boulders, paddlers need to use some navigational and paddling skills to find the channel through the rocks and muscle up some chutes to get to the next pool upriver. Difficulty is class 1 at most.
Approximately halfway through the trip to Woodstock Road, paddlers will cross underneath an active B&O train trestle. Depending upon water levels, time available, paddler interest and skill, groups can determine their own length for this trip and turn around to return to their cars at any point. If conditions are right, some may be interested in paddling all the way to Woodstock Road prior to turning around.


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