Places to Paddle, Kayak, Canoe in Pennsylvania

Click on the links below to find some of the best places to kayak, canoe and paddle in Pennsylvania. Kayaking and canoeing paddling locations include Pennsylvania State Parks, Delaware Water Gap, Kayak Pittsburgh. Paddling locations are on rivers, lakes and creeks for whitewater and flatwater.

Some places require a fee or permit so check before you paddle.

If you have a favorite place to paddle in Pennsylvania, please send it to us using our Contact Page. We'll post it here on our Places to Paddle in Pennsylvania Page.

Pennsylvania State Parks, click here
According to the website, canoes and non-powered boats must display one of the following: Boat registration Launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks (available at most state park offices) Launching permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Many parks offer canoe rentals or have lists of canoe rental companies. Water levels can change rapidly and paddlers should call the park office for current water conditions.
Clear Creek State Park, Jefferson County The Clarion River
Cook Forest State Park, Cooksburg PA The Clarion River
Delaware Canal State Park The Park follows the Delaware River from Easton to Bristol. Canoeing is popular in the canal, on the Delaware River and at the Giving Pond Recreation Area. Canoeists can launch from public access areas in PA and NJ to enjoy the water trail.
Ohiopyle State Park This park is located primarily in Fayette County. Youghiogheny [yaw-ki-GAY-nee] River Gorge passes through the heart of the park. According to the website, the "Yough" [yawk] provides some of the best whitewater boating in the Eastern U. S. as well as spectacular scenery.
Oil Creek State Park, Venango County, PA This Scenic float is classified as a beginner’s creek under normal conditions.
Swatara State Park This Park is in Lebanon and Schuylkill counties. There are several locations of easy access to the creek for put-in and take-out of boats.
Tyler State Park, Bucks County, PA Neshaminy Creek offers calm, easy boating.
Warriors Path State Park, Bedford County, PA There is a boat ramp for canoes, rafts and small boats for floating the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River. Boating or rafting is recommended during spring or late fall. The water level of the river is usually too shallow for summer.

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Middle Delaware National Scenic River, click here

Canoeing, Kayaking, Rafting, and Tubing.

Kayak Pittsburgh, click here

Three kayaking locations: Downtown, Lake Elizabeth and North Park.

Downtown is walking distance of all Downtown locations and the North Side
North Park is located at North Park Boat House along North Park Lake, which is about 14 miles from Pittsburgh
Lake Elizabeth is located inside the Allegheny Commons