Index to Kayaking In and Around Washington, DC

Abel Reservoir
GPS: 38" 24' 51" N
77" 29' 46" W
Take Route 17 north from Fredericksburg, turn right onto Route 616, and right again on Route 651.
The launch site is gravel and dirt, there is no launch fee, parking enough for 10-12 cars.

 

 

Abel Reservoir is the water supply for Stafford County; however, it allows kayaking and other recreational activities. It is 185-acres which is long and runs along the river bank. Residential development along the shoreline is sparse; however, there are some homes. Bill and I only encountered one gentleman with his son and dog. They were playing with the dog at the launch site. We heard no city sounds and felt we were in a really natural location. We definitely will return to kayak here and bring our fishing rods as there is supposed to be a variety of fish: bluegill, catfish, crappie, bass and pickerel. It is a lovely and relaxing paddle.

There is also interesting wild life. We saw an eagle, red tail hawks, cormorants, geese and several varieties of ducks. There were other birds, as well; however we did not know their species. We are told there are beaver. We did not see any nor did we see any beaver lodges.