Paddle the Allegheny River, Pennsylvania, USA
WHAT MAKES THIS AREA UNIQUE?
The Allegheny River is known for a typically 2-3 mph river current and very few hazards along its 321 miles. The peaceful forest and farmland setting, combined with outstanding fishing holes for catfish, muskie, trout and smallmouth bass, make the Allegheny a prime destination for a laid-back summer adventure with the family.
WHAT YOU’LL SEE: Deciduous forest, wildflowers, elk, deer, beaver, porcupine, bald eagle, many species of waterfowl.
WATER FEATURES: Class I-II rapids.
BEST TIME TO PADDLE: May-September
ROUTE OPTIONS:
Y Day Trip
Y Weekend Trip
Y 4 to 7-Day Trip
Y 7 to 14-Day Trip
N Loop Trip
Y Shuttle Service Nearby
POTENTIAL HAZARDS: Dam, whirlpool.
WHERE TO FIND MAPS: http://pfbc.pa.gov/watertrails/alleg/trailmap.htm
PERMITS REQUIRED? No.
PETS ALLOWED? Yes.
POTOMAC RIVER WEEKEND PADDLE: 34 MILES TOTAL
Day 1
Drive to Spring Gap Boat Launch and unload.
Shuttle trailer to Tionesta Access.
Put on river at Buckaloons (river mile 182).
Paddle 9 miles to camp at Stewards Island (river mile 173).
Day 2
Paddle 18 miles to camp on Hemlock Island (river mile 161).
Note: Best camping is downriver of huge wooden swing on river left, on islands with thick hemlock cover.
Day 3
Paddle 7 miles to take out at Tionesta Access.
NOTES
Large group camping is available by reservation at Buckaloons Recreational Area. Private, but lots of traffic noise.
Sherman Memorial Lighthouse, located within view of Tionesta Access, was built by it's namesake and is now a museum which contains his history and a collection of nearly 300 lighthouse replicas.
INFORMATION
Marienville Ranger Station: (814) 927-6628
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THIS AREA
Geocaching, fishing, hiking, hunting, museums. Visit the Kinzua Sky Walk to explore the railroad bridge which, before being struck by a tornado, was the world's longest and largest such structure.