Getting out, in, & on the water

Both the Antietam Creek and Conococheague Creek offer many opportunities for recreation, including kayaking and canoeing and fishing. Many local and national park sites provide places to enjoy the creeks from the shore as well!

In the News

Check for safe swimming info on Swim Guide: Four sites monitored on the Antietam & water quality info for locations worldwide. Download the mobile app for quick info access.
Beaver Creek 2023 Fish Kill Investigations (PDF from DNR website) provides a summary of actions taken by DNR after the August 2023 fish kill. Learn about the trout fishing restrictions now in place to help restore the trout population. (Stocked rainbow trout are NOT part of the restriction).
Safe Swimming & Creek Bacteria, ACWA blog post, June 17, 2022

Water Trail Guides & Maps

Interactive Antietam Creek Water Trail Map (to WashCo Govt website)
Recommended Water Levels for Paddling in Washington County, MD (PDF, 119 KB)
Water Level Gauges with real-time data
- Antietam Creek
  - Miller’s Church Road gauge (USGS)
  - Burnside bridge gauge at Antietam National Battlefield (USGS)
- Conococheague Creek
  - at Fairview, MD gauge (USGS)
  - Mouth of the Conococheague Creek (USGS)
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Forecasting Tool for water levels. (Use this for trip planning):
- Antietam at Sharpsburg (to NOAA website)
- Conococheague at Fairview (to NOAA website)