Stubblefield Falls

Montgomery County, Maryland

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Montgomery County, Maryland
Access status: Official trail and parking confirmed; rapids seen from the trail
The walk: 1.6 to 1.7 miles for Section C, plus about 0.6 mile of towpath from Carderock
Ground & access: Mostly wooded trail with a few rock outcroppings. NPS rates Section C easy to moderate. Stay off slippery rocks; never enter the river.

NPS: Billy Goat Trail, C&O Canal National Historical Park

Stubblefield Falls is a set of rapids on the Potomac River. From Carderock Recreation Area, walk the C&O Canal towpath upstream to Billy Goat Trail Section C. A Backpacker route description notes the class 3 Stubblefield Falls rapids on the right along Section C. Follow the blue blazes, then return to the towpath and walk back to Carderock. NPS says the trail has river views and a small waterfall, with a few rock outcroppings.

Plan your visit

Carderock Recreation Area to Billy Goat Trail Section C beside Stubblefield Falls

NPS gives Section C as 1.6 miles one way; the C&O Canal Trust gives a 1.7 mile loop back to the towpath. The Trust lists the Carderock South Parking Lot about 0.6 mile from Section C. These are trail distances, not to the falls alone.

Mostly wooded trail with a few rock outcroppings. NPS rates Section C easy to moderate. Stay off slippery rocks; never enter the river.

Where to start

Carderock Recreation Area, the closest parking for Section C per NPS. South lot about 0.6 mile and north lot about 0.9 mile from the trail, per the C&O Canal Trust.

Timing & water

Open all year. Pets permitted on Section C per NPS.

Before you go

NPS says the park is free except the Great Falls Tavern area. Carderock is not in that fee area.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Maryland

Waterfall location

Montgomery County, Maryland.

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