Shenandoah,

3. Millville to Harpers Ferry (Shenandoah Staircase)

Usual Difficulty	II-III (may vary with level)
Avg. Gradient	7 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
SHENANDOAH RIVER AT MILLVILLE, WV
usgs-01636500	2.00 - 10.00 ft	II-III	00h53m	4.56 ft (rc= 0.6 )

River Description

The Shenandoah Staircase is a classic run that has an appeal to a wide variety of paddlers. Lower water creates a superb training ground for the beginner paddler to hone their skills. Medium water creates several small and fun playspots to delight the playboater. High water brings out the big water enthusiasts and the extreme rodeo stars. When the water is rockin, the playboating in this area is spectacular!

The standard run is from Millville to Harpers Ferry. Playboaters interested in a park & play run will be interested in the 'Bridge to bridge' run. This would be the 1.7 mile run from the 340 bridge over the Shenandoah to the 340 bridge over the Potomac.

The Staircase section can be run a bit lower than from Millville to the first 340 Bridge.

This is the site of the annual Tim Gavin Downriver Race.

Directions:
From Frederick Maryland take Hwy 340 south to Harpers Ferry.
The National Park Service Wayside take-out is on river right just across the bridge.
Parking is limited (three spaces).

To get to the put in, continue south on 340 past the Harpers Ferry Park entrance. About 1.5 miles past the take-out, turn left at the Flea Market on Millville Road. Go about 2 miles down thru Millville until you see water. Some of the rafting companies own land on the banks, expect to pay a few dollars to park at the Put-in. Or continue on to the public parking at the power transformers.

Some guidebooks recommend taking out on river left near the 340 Potomac bridge near Sandy Hook, Maryland. Presently the CSX Railroad isn't fond of people trespassing on the railroad tracks, and is prosecuting. There have also been some reports of car break-ins in the area.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park