Visiting Minnie's Island
Minnies Island is located near Lockhouse 8 in Cabin John. MD. There are two parking areas - one located in the Lock 8 parking lot off in-bound Clara Barton Parkway and second at the end of Riverside Drive off 79th St and MacArthur Blvd. If you are coming as a "drop in" visitor, you will need to bring your watercraft from one of the parking areas to the launch area directly opposite Lock 8 or you can carry your craft approximately 100 yards downstream to the Sycamore Tree landing. If you are coming for an MICC-sponsored event such as a volunteer workday, community event, or Scouting/youth group visit, you will depart from the Sycamore Tree canoe landing. All visitors for MICC-sponsored events will be required to sign a waiver.
Minnies Island is open to public use during daylight hours subject to the rules posted on the sign at the canoe landing on the island (shown below). If you are a "drop in" visitor, please keep in mind that there is no potable water on the island and no bathroom facilities (unless the cabin is unlocked for MICC use). If you are coming as an MICC visitor, you will have access to bathroom facilities (a composting toilet) in the cabin.
Getting to the island is part of the adventure. It takes a five minute canoe trip to get from the C&O Canal landing to the landing on Minnies. Wearing life jackets is required. Visitors should be comfortable on un-even, rocky and muddy landings. Boots are recommended if it has rained recently. We recommend not visiting the island when the river is over five feet as measured at the Little Falls gauge, and exercising extreme caution in cold weather conditions.
Visitors can explore the extensive network of paths. Please stay on the paths and avoid the rock outcrop areas that are covered in poison ivy.
Visitors to the island can appreciate the wild beauty and serenity of the island. Several benches placed at river overlooks offer great places for watching the river and bird watching. Fishing for smallmouth bass is popular when the river is between three and four feet as measured at Little Falls. Wildflower viewing changes every month, with the best displays in mid-spring and late summer. So far, ten species of rare, threatened, and endangered plants have been identified. Picnicking on the island has been popular since the 1930s, as shown on the photo by previous island owner Clarence Shoemaker. Fancy hats and ties are no longer required.
