Fletcher's Cove

Fletcher's Cove is a boating and fishing access point on the Potomac River at 4940 Canal Rd NW, in the Palisades area of Washington, DC, where the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath meets the river. It is not a sand beach and swimming is not permitted; the river here is fast, rocky and subject to strong currents, and the bank is a mix of stone, mud and grass. The cove nonetheless is one of the more scenic water access points in the capital, set below wooded bluffs with views along the Potomac toward Virginia.

The cove is run as a recreation concession in season, with rental rowboats, canoes and kayaks available, along with fishing supplies and bait. Anglers come in spring for shad and later in the year for bass and catfish. Picnic tables sit along the bank, and the C&O Canal towpath offers flat, shaded walking and cycling in either direction. The atmosphere is relaxed, with a country-fishing-camp feel that is unusual within the city limits.

Facilities include a boathouse, basic restrooms and a small snack and drinks counter. There are no lifeguards, and visitors in boats are responsible for their own safety, so life jackets and attention to river conditions after rain are essential. The Capital Crescent Trail provides a popular cycling route from Georgetown, about six miles from the National Mall.

Access is mainly by car or bicycle. Parking at the cove is limited and fills quickly on warm weekends, and public transit is thin, so many visitors choose to ride the Capital Crescent Trail from Georgetown or Bethesda. The towpath is unpaved in places and can be rutted after rain. The cove suits visitors looking for a quieter day on the water, fishing or a riverside walk and picnic rather than swimming or sunbathing.