Data Disclaimer: Water level data is provided by USGS and NOAA for informational purposes only. Verify conditions on-site before any water activities. Learn more
Access Site WV

Shaperds Town

Potomac River

Source: west_virginia_department_of_natural_resources Updated 1 year ago

City: Charles Town, WV
County: Jefferson County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 39.43475310, -77.80141537
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Live webcam view
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Whitewater Run
I Put-in Potomac - 0.6 Shepherdstown, WV to Dargans Bend Boat Ramp
View Run
Current Conditions
-- • 2.70-7.50 ft
Potomac River at Hancock, MD
Whitewater Runs on Potomac River
21 runs (17 nearby)
Difficulty Classes
I Easy II Novice III Intermediate IV Advanced V Expert/Extreme VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site: Put-in at this location This location is on the run Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
I Put-in at this location 0.6 Shepherdstown, WV to Dargans Bend Boat Ramp
8.0 mi
I Take-out at this location 0.5 Dam # 4 to Shepherdstown WV
12.0 mi
II+ Downstream from here (6.2 mi to put-in) 0.7 Dargans Bend Boat Ramp to Potoma Wayside, VA or Weverton, MD
5.5 mi 5 ft/mi
I-II Downstream from here (9.9 mi to put-in) 0.8 Potoma Wayside, VA or Weverton, MD to Point of Rocks MD
12.0 mi
I Downstream from here (21.0 mi to put-in) 0.9 Point of Rocks to Mouth of Monocacy
6.2 mi
V+ Downstream from here (48.4 mi to put-in) 3. Great Falls (Center Lines)
0.4 mi 100 ft/mi
IV-V(V+) Downstream from here (48.4 mi to put-in) 3. Great Falls (Fish Ladder)
0.4 mi 100 ft/mi
V+ Downstream from here (48.4 mi to put-in) 3. Great Falls (MD Lines)
0.4 mi 100 ft/mi
V Downstream from here (48.4 mi to put-in) 3. Great Falls (VA Lines)
0.4 mi 100 ft/mi
V+ Downstream from here (48.4 mi to put-in) 3. Through Great Falls (several runs)
0.4 mi
II-III(IV) Downstream from here (48.8 mi to put-in) 4. Sandy Beach/O-Deck to Anglers Inn
2.2 mi 8 ft/mi
V Downstream from here (48.5 mi to put-in) Clara Barton Parkway to C&O Canal
0.1 mi
I Upstream from here (5.4 mi from take-out) 0.45 Williamsport to Dam #4
14.0 mi
I Upstream from here (11.6 mi from take-out) 0.4 Big Pool/Fort Frederick Campground to Williamsport MD
16.7 mi
I Upstream from here (18.7 mi from take-out) 0.35 Hancock, MD to Big Pool/Fort Frederick Campground
12.0 mi
I Upstream from here (31.9 mi from take-out) 0.3 Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Ramp to Hancock, MD
16.8 mi
I Upstream from here (42.3 mi from take-out) 0.2 Paw Paw Tunnel Campground to Fifteen Mile Creek Boat Landing
21.0 mi
Whitewater data from American Whitewater
About This Access Site
**Location & Access:** The Shepherdstown public boat ramp is located on the Potomac River in Charles Town, WV, downstream from the New Rumsey Bridge and upstream from the Rumsey Monument. To reach the ramp, turn south on West German Street (Route 230) when entering town—a left turn if crossing from Maryland via the Route 34 bridge. The access point is at the end of North Princes Street.

**Facilities & Conditions:** This is a straightforward public launch site for kayakers, canoeists, and small boats on the Potomac River. Note that parking near the boat ramp may be limited due to ongoing water plant construction, though the access site remains open to the public. The site is near Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, located at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, making it a convenient starting point for exploring this historic section of river. For current conditions and any updates, contact the City of Shepherdstown at (304) 876-2555 or visit the nearby Harpers Ferry NHP Visitor Center at (304) 535-6029.

**Nearby Amenities:** Several hiker-biker campsites operate within 10 miles of the area, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park offers visitor facilities, maps, and historical context about the region.
Federal Facility Information
(304) 535-6029 Free Access

The Visitor Center is located at the main entrance of the park at 171 Shoreline Drive, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. Visitors may ask questions, pick up park maps and brochures, and more. From this location, visitors may park their vehicles and take a shuttle bus to the Lower Town district of the park.

*Park passports stamps located at Bookshop in Lower Town*

*Purchase park entrance passes at the...

The Visitor Center is located at the main entrance of the park at 171 Shoreline Drive, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. Visitors may ask questions, pick up park maps and brochures, and more. From this location, visitors may park their vehicles and take a shuttle bus to the Lower Town district of the park.

*Park passports stamps located at Bookshop in Lower Town*

*Purchase park entrance passes at the entrance station, located just outside the Visitor Center parking area*

Read More Read Less
Nearby Campgrounds (8 within 10 miles)
Cumberland Valley Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite
On-site
Killiansburg Cave Hiker-Biker Campsite
On-site
Big Woods Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite
On-site
Opequon Junction Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite
On-site
Horseshoe Bend Hiker-Biker Campsite
On-site
Huckleberry Hill Hiker-Biker Campsite
On-site
Rohrbach Group Campground
On-site Reservable
Antietam Creek Campsite
On-site Reservable
Nearby Recreation Areas
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Located within
Antietam National Battlefield Located within