It may be Pennsylvania’s best kept paddling secret and maybe one of the top canoe camping rivers in the Mid-Atlantic region. The West Branch of the Susquehanna River is one great canoe camping river because of its range, access, scenery, and remoteness. Average canoe camping trips on the West Branch can range from under 20 miles to 80 miles, and if you are feeling really adventurous you could put in somewhere near Shawville, Pennsylvania and paddle all the way to the Chesapeake Bay.

The West Branch is a mostly a tame flatwater river with occasional waves and riffles that are just enough to add some paddling excitement without too much risk, making it a perfect canoe camping trip for a family with younger children. There is one short section of barely a class two rapid called the Moshannon Falls which can be a great ride when water levels are just right. Don’t take the river lightly though, it is a fast high volume river and should be avoided when the levels swell due to flooding or a dam release.

The best time to paddle the river is during the period of April through early June. Normally the river levels are too low after June, although there have been recent years where the water levels were adequate throughout the entire year. The weeks before and including Memorial Day weekend are when paddlers are most active on the West Branch and you’ll possibly have plenty of campsite competition with the locals. However if you choose to paddle the river in early May or several weeks after Memorial Day you likely encounter only a few, if any paddlers.

For more information on canoeing and camping the West Branch and other rivers in Pennsylvania go the Website.   

A Great Canoe Camping Resource
Canoe Camping - USA, a true canoe campers resource.

With information on over 40 canoe camping float trips, the Canoe Camping - USA Website is one of those unique sites that provides a gamut of useful paddling information acquired through actual paddling experience. Loaded with information, you’ll discover a river to paddle in any region of the United States and learn how to plan an extended float trip.

River information provided:
Delaware River
Green River
Yukon
Missouri
James River
Buffalo
Pee Dee
Roanoke

And much more. Give them a visit at http://www.canoe-camping.org/   

Roanoke River Partners, NC

Historically, the Roanoke River in North Carolina provided a transporation route for lumber, cypress shingles, fish and other products. The river swamps also provided cover for runaway slaves and illegal stills during prohibition while the high banks of the river offered vantage points for forts during wars. Today the river serves the local industries and municipalities.

The Roanoke River is home to black bear, river otter, white-tail deer, bobcat, beaver and mink. And for bird watchers there are over 200 bird species including bald eagles, barred owl, osprey, great egrets and great blue herons. The River is also abundant with striped bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, lunker catfish, gar and bowfin.

Thanks to the Roanoke River Partners there are now unique camping opportunities available in the swamps of the Roanoke and Cashie Rivers. Newly constructed camping platforms provide camping from Weldon to the Albemarble Sound. This type of camping provides a unique experience throughout the diverse habitats of the river basin. Visit the Roanoke River Partners Web site.

If the hardy platform camping of the Roanoke River Trails is not your style, or if you would like to diversify your paddling experience, there are several commercial campgrounds located in the area. One such campground is the Green Acres Family Campground located in Williamston, NC. The Green Acres Family Campground is only a short driving distance from many of the Roanoke River Paddle Trails and a short distance from North Carolina coastal paddling opportunities.