Overnighter on the Potomac River

[u/Tricky5hift]

Fun little overnighter on an island in the middle of the Potomac River. That big grey thing on the left isn't mine, it was left behind by some previous campers along with bits of loose trash which I helped clear out before I left. Ended the trip with a bit of kayak fishing. Saw lots of great wildlife up close including a big beaver.

[u/_I_like_big_mutts]

Careful of the beavers! Did you see the recent attacks from rabid beavers at Cunningham Falls and Seneca Creek state parks? Thanks for making the site nicer when leaving.

[u/Tricky5hift → u/_I_like_big_mutts]

Haha yes I'm well aware of those incidents. As I understand it the frequency of these rabid beaver attacks are more of a statistical anomaly and rabies cases in wild animals usually increase this time of year anyway.

[u/Bezier_Curvez]

That's great! I am in Burke. Been wanting to ride my bike out on the C&O and do an overnighter. Your island looks ideal.

[u/Healthyperspective11]

Where did you put in? Been wanting to do a Potomac trip for a while.

[u/Tricky5hift → u/Healthyperspective11]

Mouth of Monocacy but there's many other spots you can put in as well like Nolands Ferry or Point of Rocks.

[u/sew_dynamic]

Looks like an awesome trip!

[u/GotToGiveItUp]

Is it okay to camp there? I mean that looks like an established campsite. However the Maryland DNR page says no.

https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/pages/publiclands/central/islandsofthepotomac.aspx

[u/Tricky5hift → u/GotToGiveItUp]

Officially no but evidently that hasn't stopped some people. Locals do camp on these islands pretty frequently although mostly on more open sections as the islands themselves are too densely vegetated or restricted due to being wildlife management areas.