The longest river flowing entirely within Maryland, the Patuxent winds 115 miles from piedmont headwaters to the Chesapeake Bay. A major Chesapeake tributary with good paddling through surprisingly wild corridors between Baltimore and Washington, DC. The Patuxent River State Park marks the piedmont headwaters, with a forested corridor running down to Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary before the river opens into its tidal estuary.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.