West Branch Susquahanna

[Chip]

I paddled a bit of the West Branch in ‘25 and would like to go back for a multi-day trip.

I’ve put it on my calendar for June 8. If I get inspired to go to the WPa Solo Canoe Rendezvous, I’ll already be in the neighborhood. I’m flexible on the date. In 25’, I made it to Frenchville before the river went into flood, and I’d like to pick it up there and continue to Renovo or Lock Haven, camping along the way. Watch, this year there probably won’t be water. Isn’t that how it goes?

I’ll go by myself but would like it if others joined. Not sure what to do about shuttle. I have not been able to find local shuttle operators. Can anyone provide shuttle info, or if you live in the area and want to make a few bucks… help a paddler out.

My understanding is this is mostly flatwater with current and a few areas with CI-CII rapids. My understanding is there are places to camp along the way. Frenchville Access to Lock Haven is about 80 miles. I usually paddle 5-6 hours a day, so the trip will probably take 4-5 days, unless the current is like it was in ‘25–fast!

What I’d like from this post is:
A) paddling partners
B) specific location of good camp sites
C) help finding a shuttle
D) any recommendations you think might be helpful to paddling that stretch

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Following.
This section of the West Branch is on our "to-do" list but I don't think we can fit it in this year. I am especially interested in learning about shuttle services. If I lived closer, I would shuttle you.
I believe a fair amount of the property along that section is Pa Game Lands which does not allow camping. There is other state land there that does allow camping though, but I can't remember the name of it right now. I'll get back to ya on that.

 

[Gamma1214]

I believe that both Elk and Sproul State Forests touch the river there and dispersed, minimum impact camping is allowed anywhere on State Forest property (as long as the campsite is not used more than 2 consecutive days) but there's at least one established campsite there. IIRC, it's off the main flow, just upstream on a creek (Keating Creek?). As mentioned, Game Commission lands are closed to camping.

Quehanna Wild Area may come all the way to the water and, if so, that would be fair game.

Since McCracken's closed, there are no shuttle services available that I am aware of. Dave and Linda would have extensive knowledge of that section but, at last contact, they were hesitant to disclose all the details as they were still hopeful of selling their former shuttle business and that intimate knowledge was always a benefit of using them. (That's been a few years and they're really nice people so that may have changed)

I am planning on attending WPASCR this year so, if you come up and I'm not all "peopled out" by the end, I can help shuttle you.

The Clearfield Historical Society has copies of a scout trip that was published ("80 Miles of Wilderness Adventure) in 1970. I have a copy that I can lend if you like and it says it was updated in 2011 thanks to members of the Clearfield Paddling Club (no internet info that I could find). Most camping information is unusable today but it's still worth reading (IMO) from a historical standpoint. Last I checked it was $10.

You might be able to get a water trail map from the PA Fish & Boat Commission but I know for sure they're available at PAwilds.com. The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership would probably have a lot of useful info as well. Greenway breaks the river into day trips so PA Wilds map may have more useful info for a thru-paddler.

2 notes: The section below Karthaus is notorious for low water so you'll want to watch the USGS gauge at Kartaus... Ideally, you're looking for 2+ feet to keep you from dragging the boat. Secondly, PA requires launch permits if you use launches that are maintained by the state. All other forms of access are perfectly legal without that fugly sticker. There is reciprocity for other states if you're already stickered-up.

I'd also recommend contacting Hank Webster for information. Hank is a PennState Biology professor, former scoutmaster and active scouting volunteer who has done the entire West Branch somewhat recently. He's always been very willing to help and I can share his contact info in PMs (I have his permission to share it but won't do that on a public forum)

Finally, I'd grab a copy of Paddling Pennsylvania by Jeff Mitchell. He has some very good write-ups on the various sections of the Susquehanna including the mileages, potential campsites and suggested USGS gauge readings.

If you plan to continue downstream in the future, another good source (particularly for camping on the middle/lower sections) in Riverkeepers.

Hope this helps. If I can think of anything more, I'll add it. (Maybe you can tell but a West Branch thru-paddle is on the bucket list)

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Sproul State Forest has some camping I believe.
From what I've read, the West Branch does not have a lot of options for riverside camping. Much of it is private land and a lot is State Game Lands.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Finding shuttles is often a challenge on a lot of river trips, especially for multi day distances.
A few years ago, we made arrangements with a taxi company on the Delaware River and that worked out pretty well and it wasn't too crazy expensive. We dropped off my wife and our gear at the put in, I drove to the take out and dropped off my vehicle and a taxi transported me back to the put in.
Taxi, Uber, Lift, ?? Seems like there ought to be a way to hire a ride for a shuttle.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

There are some decent resources on the WB Paddle Club site. Scroll down and click on the different sections icons and it will bring up some maps and access, camping, river hazard, etc info.
Looks like the club is a potential source of helpful info. Might be worth the membership fee to obtain much needed information.

West Branch Paddle Club - Kayak the Susquehanna Greenway

Attention paddlers—kayakers, canoeists, SUPers, and more! Grab your paddle craft and friends and join the West Branch Paddle Club (WBPC), a program focused on rewarding you for getting out on the Susquehanna Greenway and exploring the Susquehanna River Water Trail – West Branch.

susquehannagreenway.org

 

[Gamma1214]

Other sources of information worth mining: Burt Martin from the Allegheny Canoe Club did the West Branch yearly for 50 years (may still be going- hopefully so). You can reach him via the club's Facebook page or, perhaps, via @NoelCanoeDad. Dustin told me once that it's a yearly trip for the club so anyone there can probably help.

I did some research & (hopefully) assisted in planning a WB trip 2 years ago for @Blane. I believe that he made the trip (with wife running support & shuttling) and he had intended to write an updated guidebook after he returned home. I never heard more about that and I see that it's been almost 3 years since he's been on the site. A pm would generate an e-mail to him. (I also have his e-mail if it hasn't changed)

There was also a member here from Warrior's Mark, PA who paddled the Karthaus section a couple times a year. I think he went by @BigAl but I can't find him (maybe he was lost in the server transition a few years ago?) I know that he used the "up the creek a bit" campsite and said that he preferred it because few knew about it. I may even have his cell #. If I find it, I'll touch base & see what info he can provide.