Potomac, S. Branch

I just wanted to alert people that the access on river right just past the US 220 bridge is now off-limits; there are no signs on from the water, but coming from the road, there are signs warning that this take-out site is for official use only. I'm sure a lot of people on here are aware, but if you're a first-timer, heed this warning.

I did my research for a Smokehole trip using this site (which I love, of course) and the statemnent 'there is also a public boat ramp site on river right accessible from US 220 via CR 220/2,' viewed in conjunction with satellite imagery from Google Maps where the gravel road down to the river is clearly visible, led me to assume that using that access point would be just fine.

We dropped our vehicle in the Petersburg municipal lot across the bridge (paved, with parking lines, also very evident in satellite imagery) without bothering to check on the access across the river. When my brother went to fetch his vehicle at the end of our trip, he realized that there was a problem, but by then the canoe was already unloaded, so we decided to just try and skedaddle out of there quickly. We did not move quickly enough - a WV state official showed up, and although he was kind enough to listen to our explanation and not write us a ticket, it was not an ideal situation. He also showed us a (fairly new-ish, I think) gravel lot for boaters, along with an access ramp, both on river left a few hundred yards further down the river past the 220 bridge. Use those to avoid trouble.