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Canoeing
Location Patapsco Valley State Park, Orange Grove/Avalon Area, 410-461-5005
Access Site Access the river from Orange Grove. To reach Orange Grove from Howard County, follow Route 1 through Elkridge into Baltimore County. Turn left onto South Street, the first road after crossing the river. The park entrance is on the left. To reach Orange Grove from I-695 southbound, take Southwestern Boulevard, exit 12A towards Elkridge. Follow Southwestern Boulevard to Route 1 south to South Street. Turn right. The park entrance is on the left. From I-695 northbound, take Southwestern Boulevard Exit 10 towards Elkridge, then follow directions above.

From I-195 (Exit 47 off of I-95) take Route 1 exit 3 towards Elkridge to South Street. Turn right. The park entrance is on the left. Once on the park road turn left at the "T" intersection onto Gun Road, then right onto River Road and follow it to the end. Park at the Orange Grove lot. Access to the river is along the bank on the upstream side of the Orange Grove Pavilion. Paddle from Orange Grove to the Avalon Pavilions. Take out just before the Gun Road Bridge. Leave a car at the Avalon parking area (the take out location) or arrange for someone to pick you up.
Distance Approximately 2 river miles from Orange Grove to Gun Road.
Time Depends on water levels, one half to one hour
Difficulty Moderate
Suitable For Families? Yes (older children)
Hazards/Restrictions No pets are allowed in this area. Personal flotation devices (life jackets) are required. Alcoholic beverages are permitted at the picnic tables only. The river bottom may have jagged rocks, debris or slippery objects. Wear shoes that can get wet.
Potable Water Water and restrooms are available at the Orange Grove and Avalon Areas of the park.
Natural Features The Patapsco River flows through a piedmont stream valley with steep-sided walls. The stream descends in elevation through a series of bouldery rapids through 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 and Great Blue Heron, two common avian species. Rainbow and brown trout are stocked in the river in the spring, but the higher water temperatures do not sustain them year-round.
Historic/Cultural Features One mile upstream from Orange Grove is Bloede's Dam, an engineering feat of the early 20th century. It is the first hydroelectric dam in the U.S. where the turbines are located inside the hollow core of the dam, maximizing efficiency in power generation. The 24-foot dam is now in ruin. Power for the local area is now derived from larger generating plants. Paddlers pass under the Orange Grove swinging bridge, which was built in the mid-1800's for workers who lived in the company town of Orange Grove on the west side of the river (Howard County) to walk to work in the Orange Grove flour and saw mills on the east side of the river (Baltimore County).

A long mill race parallels the river in the Avalon area on the Baltimore County side.
The water powered the Avalon Iron and Nail Works, an iron forge in the valley. On the Baltimore County side, the B&O Railroad tracks stretch between Baltimore and Ellicott City. These were the first thirteen miles of railroad track laid in the U.S. The original rail cars were drawn by horses, while the steam engine was being perfected in the 1830's. In Baltimore County in the Avalon Area, Company 356 of the Civilian Conservation Corps made its encampment near Lost Lake at Camp Tydings. The C.C.C. built the stone picnic shelters in Orange Grove and Glen Artney (not visible from the river). Paddlers pass some of these structures on their drive to Orange Grove. The C.C.C., also known as Roosevelt's Tree Army, was responsible for planting trees in the river valley to advance the reforestation efforts and reclaim the over-used and abused land.
Camping Campgrounds are located at Hollofield (Route 40 in Ellicott City) and Hilton (off Rolling Road on Hilton Avenue) areas of the park.
Other Points of Interest Over 11 miles of trails are located in the Orange Grove, Avalon and Glen Artney areas. Fishing for trout is a popular activity in the river. The Avalon Visitor Center is staffed on weekends and provides information about the area, exhibits on the industrial revolution that took place along the Patapsco River Valley and current park 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 A service charge of $2 per person is collected at the entrance gate. Pavilions and shelters have rental fees (picnic tables outside of shelters have no charge).
Description The trip begins alongside the Orange Grove Pavilion. Put in and take out locations are convenient to parking areas. The riffles and easy rapids along the Patapsco River between the Orange Grove and Gun Road make for a fun and sometimes bouncy float trip with some exciting turns and drops. The trip consists of smooth water and class 1 rapids. Difficulty increases during high water levels or after a hard rain. Due to generally low water levels, this section is canoeable in the spring or after significant rainfall. Other times may require portaging some sections. Look for Belted Kingfishers and Great Blue Herons among other birds flying the stream valley along the way. Picnic tables and shelters are available at Orange Grove, Avalon and Glen Artney for those who like to make a day trip. Call ahead to reserve shelters.


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