Mattawoman Creek is accessible at the Town's dock and boat ramp located at the end of Mattingly Avenue. The Mattawoman is a quiet serene creek which is ideal for bass fishing or kayaking, and is primarily fresh water, so swimming from your boat is a delight in the summer months.

The Creek is very easy to get to and to paddle up. It is a medium-long trip to where you can go no further. The trip will take you through wide marshes and then into quite narrow swamps. And there are at least four beaver lodges to explore. If it is really windy out on the Potomac, then this is really a great, protected area to go.

The Mattawoman Watershed is an “indicator” watershed. There has been a gradual increase in public perception for the need of watershed management practices. Many occurrences over the past fifty years focused attention on the declined condition of waterways nationwide. Beginning in 1948 federal clean water legislation was passed to address point source polluters. By 1987 and after much water quality legislation in-between, the country came to realize that many waterways were still not safe for swimming and fishing and that non-point sources were also contributing to water pollution. Additional legislation was passed to address this. However, in 1997, realizing that the legislation still had not adequately solved the pollution problems the Federal Clean Water Action Plan was put forth. This plan proposed the watershed approach be used nationally to wholisticaly address the poor water quality situations. The Plan called for assessment of the condition of waterways and establishment of restoration priorities and strategies.

The Creek is also very close to a lot of other interesting kayaking sites, all on the eastern shore of the Potomac. These include Chapman’s Landing, the National Colonial Farm, and Fort Washington.

The Landing itself is really laid back. Bo Lyles' wife makes sandwiches that he sells at the Bait and Tackle Shop, and Joanne and Don Taylor rent canoes and kayaks.

Mattawoman Creek is a great place go to experience waterfowl migrations in the fall.