I’m in Potomac, MD. My go-to spot is Violettes Lock on the Potomac River, about 30 minutes from DC but it requires paddling out and parking on a rock island as the C&O canal is a National Park. When the water level is lower, I walk out to a rock island just downstream. But, this year has been high water through four seasons with no signs of letting up. So, my new and most favored flying location is Harpers Ferry, WV about 90 minutes from DC, which is also a National Park however, there’s an area high on a bluff overlooking the town and the river junction as well as the twin railroad bridges that’s God’s gift to drone pilots. It’s at a dead end adjacent to an abandoned hotel. For a longer drive and equally beautiful location, Seneca Rocks, WV about 2.5 hours from DC. I haven’t edited my Harpers Ferry footage yet, but here’s a working video clip from Seneca Rocks.
Here’s a photo of Harpers Ferry. The launch spot is at the white building near the top right of the frame above the grove of trees. While most of the shoreline on both sides of the two rivers as well as the cliffs on the opposite side of the Potomac River are in a National Park, on Route 340 on the South side of the Shenandoah River, before you cross the upstream bridge there are a couple of areas you may be able to park and a short hike to a rock island directly across from the point. That south side of the Shenandoah along Rt. 340 i don’t believe is a National Park (could be part of Appalachian Trail), but your launch spot will have to be on a rock island in the River when the water level is lower. Given that the entire MD side of the Potomac River is the C&O National Park for 185 miles from DC to Cumberland, MD, I’m resigned to paddle out to the middle of the river when necessary to fly legally. I do have an extra kayak if any other pilots are inclined to go along. It’s a magical picture book town and plenty of great subjects to capture. Town, trains, cliffs, bridges, paddlers...wonderful.