Water Trails
North Branch River Trails
Barnum to Keyser
This river trail begins at the Barnum Whitewater Area Boat Access Ramp, flows down into Bloomington, Luke, Westernport, McCole, and finally into Keyser. ​This is the same trail used during the various Whitewater Releases in the spring/summer months.
The link below shows a Google Earth view of the trail. There are boat accesses along this route in case you need to pull off or decide to shorten the trip. The boat accesses are located in Luke and McCole.
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Trail Link
Keyser-Black Oak Bottom-Allegany County Fairgrounds
This river trail begins in Keyser under the bridge and ends in Rawlings, MD at the Black Oak Bottom Boat Access. This trip is a shorter one but still has beautiful views and great water.
The link below shows a Google Earth view of the trail.
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Trail Link
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If you are really looking for adventure and wanting a very long float, you can start in Keyser and end at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. Trip times will vary based on depth of the water.
The link below shows a Google Earth view of the trail.
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Trail Link
Keyser-Black Oak Bottom-Allegany County Fairgrounds
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Allegany County Fairgrounds to Ridgeley
This river trail begins at the Allegany County Fairgrounds and flows to Ridgeley.
The link shows a Google Earth view of the trail. You must take out in Ridgeley at the boat access!! This boat launch is located above the waterfall, and you CANNOT kayak/float over the falls. You will injure yourself!
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Trail Link
Ridgeley to Wiley Ford
This river trail begins in Ridgeley past the Blue Bridge and past the waterfall where it is safe to paddle again. This trip will take you into the town of Wiley Ford.
The link below shows a Google Earth view of the trail.
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Trail Link
Hiking/Biking Trails
Barnum Whitewater Area Rail Trail
The Barnum Rail Trail is a 4.1 mile hiking/biking trail. The trail runs along the beautiful North Branch of the Potomac River.
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The link below shows a Google Earth view of the trail.
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Directions
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Directions to BWA from Interstate 68
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Exit Interstate 68 at Cumberland, MD
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Take Green Street exit off of Interstate 68 (US Route 220 South) to Keyser, WV – Approximately 20 miles
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Follow US 220 South through Keyser to the intersection with US Route 50 – Approximately 7 miles **
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Take US Route 50 West to intersection of Route 42 – Approximately 7 miles (just past Saddle Mountain overlook)
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Take Route 42 West to Elk Garden, WV – Approximately 5 miles
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At Elk Garden take Route 46 East to the Barnum Whitewater Area Road – Approximately 5 miles (Jennings Randolph Lake will be on your left)
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Follow Barnum Road to parking area – Approximately 2-1/2 miles
**Look for Jennings Randolph Lake signs off of US Route 50
Directions to BWA from Maryland 68
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Exit34 on Maryland Route 36 at 39º 37' 57.33" N; 78º 55' 4.0"W 14.9 miles
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Turn right on to Maryland Rt. 135 at 39º 29' 02.72" N; 79º 02' 48.43" W 1.8 miles
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Turn left on to WV route 46 at 39º28' 48.94" N; 79º 3' 57.13" 5.4 miles
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Turn right on to WV Route 46/2 (Barnum Road at 39º 25' 48.83" N;79º 05' 31.55"1.8 miles
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Barnum, WV at 39º 26' 30.55" N; 79º 06' 53.16"
Directions to BWA from Interstate 81
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Take US Route 50 West exit at Winchester, VA
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Follow US route 50 West to Romney, WV – Approximately 60 miles
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Continue on US Route 50 to intersection of US Route 50 and Route 42 West –
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Approximately 25 miles West of Romney
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Follow Route 42 to Elk Garden, WV – Approximately 5 miles
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At Elk Garden take Route 46 East to the Barnum Whitewater Area Road –
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Approximately 5 miles (Jennings Randolph Lake will be on your left)
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Follow Barnum Road to parking area – Approximately 2-1/2 miles
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