Fletcher's Cove — Attraction in Washington

Special is the only word for this urban access to the magnificent lower Potomac Gorge. Used and beloved by everyone, from every walk of life. Rare flora and fauna can be found and experienced, as can annual spectacles of nature's bounty, such as the shad run.

The boathouse and it's staff of knowledgeable, friendly characters provide convenient access to the river, whether you want a boat, a snack, or a word of advice. Some limited tackle for the shad run is available for purchase. Conveniently, you can now reserve your boat, sign your waiver, and buy your DC fishing license all online. The shad run peaks in April and May. There are many other species available to target as well.

Fletcher's Cove is best accessed from the south/southeast, that is, from the Georgetown direction, on either Canal Rd or Reservoir Rd. Coming down from chain bridge or the beltway is not recommended as the turn to access the cove is like 165° (very sharp). Canal Rd is one way inbound from 6:00-10:15 (inclusive of closure times on either end) so if you want to access the cove during this time you must use Reservoir Rd.

Park immediately in the first gravel lot on the left to access the bathrooms, the blockhouse, or the C&O canal. This lot is small, maybe 10-15 cars can park here. A level/flat pedestrian bridge crosses the canal to the tow path.

Continue on to the bigger lot near the river by driving down around the bend and through the tunnel (you're now under the canal) and keep going past the pedestrian bridge over a stream, which will appear on your right. You'll see the dock next on your right, the boathouse will be up the hill on the left, and the parking loop that could probably fit like 100+ cars. Park near the far end of the loop to access the canoe drag. There is grass to picnic on, and a few picnic tables. There is no kid's playground.

There are no trash cans so be prepared to carry your trash out by bringing your own garbage bag. Consider picking up someone else's trash too to help keep the Chesapeake Bay clean.

There are foot trails to explore the woods on either end of the cove. The blue bells in early spring are lovely. Pawpaws are ripe when they fall to the ground. The birding is excellent. Dogs are allowed on leash I believe.

Be extremely careful on the rocks upstream of the cove. The water is deceptively deep and there are strong currents.

The cove is at risk of being silted in. Consider donating to Friends of Fletcher's Cove to help ensure boat access continues on into the future. Mark Binsted also posts his shad report there, which is invaluable to follow if you're looking for current...

So archaic come these dawning days on the crest of greatness that we can scarcely believe it approaches beyond our sentience, like a trust fund from an estranged uncle or the way he liked his eggs sunny-side down.

Stones only know who they are when they reach out to touch mortality. But Virginia is for lovers, so with an unconvincing sigh I hefted The American Pageant o'erboard and leapt alight on these rocks, skipping to 'n' fro like a toothing child. Three men and a baby spoke words with their eyes to me in thigh high Christian Louboutin fishingware, dangling string into the shimmering stream like the ward of a bobbing apple who wished it could sink or dance well enough to get a three-picture contract and become the Shirley Temple of spatulas.

But apples become too comfortable as they float, as do I, and I fell over, not ungraciously, my left toe. This brought a fog to my eyes, through which I could hardly bear to gaze. Behind my lids danced visions of Constable, his insipid racketeering and noisiness, the way he would read his poems to captivated crowds and wouldn't laugh at the jokes I made to mild-manneredly remind him he was no Kendrick Lamar. Oh how I miss his boisterous gaze, like rotten seeds in an apple, like messily filled bubbles on a Scantron, like the devastation of an egg about to break on one final unnecessary turn of the flipper.

Life goes on, Constable, but will I ever escape the words you have Etch A Sketched inside my skull?! -

My love, I see you even when you go, Even where you wander, even how deep That quality of voice fades to blessing Even with that bold way that tries to seep Beneath your lovely smile, your face so plain And plentiful and practiced that I find Myself burning in your faith and I love, I love you for it. So to bear and bind Me you must do nothing. Would you just lie With me and let me...

This is an awesome spot to get access to the Potomac River. It's a little tricky to get into as it is a one way in one way out situation and depending on where you park you have to drive through a one-way tunnel but it's very interesting. The thing I like about it most is that unlike many boathouses closer to DC or in DC directly this one is just enough off the beaten path where you don't have to fight traffic and crazy parking as there is plenty of on-site parking for free. There is a small campground area picnic or have a campfire. I've only been there twice now to launch my kayak but I'm definitely going to be making this a...