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.   

The St. Regis Canoe Area in the Adirondacks is a great region for beginner and experienced canoe campers. Don’t allow stories of the remoteness and seclusion of the Adirondacks unnerved you into thinking you can’t handle the Adirondacks. It’s not as remote as it’s made out to be.

Sure, there are areas of the park where you could find yourself in danger if lost or injured, but with common sense and a sensible plan you’ll do just fine. Many paddlers do the Adirondacks solo, but first time Adirondack trippers should choose to do it with a confident paddling partner.

There are several camping and access options available when visiting the St. Regis Canoe Area but be assured whatever option you choose you will have to portage while visiting the St. Regis Area. One of the most convenient ways to see the St. Regis area is to paddle to the St. Regis Pond and set a basecamp.

Getting to St. Regis Pond is easy, but it does require five short portages that begin at the Upper St. Regis Lake, or one longer portage from Little Clear Pond. From that St. Regis Pond basecamp you can explorer the many other canoe routes with only essential gear such as water and food, making portaging so much easier.

Click here for more information on the Adirondacks.

Maryland’s Antietam Creek is one paddling destination full of scenery, wildlife, excitement, but most importantly a great part of American history. The most convenient way to paddle the Antietam is to begin at Devil’s Backbone Park on Route 68 near Sharpsburg and you can choose between two takeouts. One being the Burnside Bridge takeout or paddle the 12 miles to the Potomac takeout. Paddling to the Potomac can take from 4-8 hours depending on your ambition.

Conditions 
During normal water conditions you’ll encounter swift current that may test your paddling skills. And there are ledges, rocks, strainers you’ll need to navigate. The creek is only a class 1, but at the end of the run, near the Potomac, you’ll encounter the class 2 Furnace Rapids. During high water levels this rapid may be a bit difficult for novices. Inexperienced paddlers may want to consider portaging this rapid.

Burnside’s Bridge
The Antietam Creek flows straight through the Antietam Battlefield at Burnside’s Bridge. This bridge was the location of one of the most famous battles of the Civil War. It was at this bridge a few hundred Confederate soldiers held off thousands of Union Soldiers for several hours. Unfortunately you can not dock your boat within 1000ft of the bridge. The best way to see the battlefield is to visit the Antietam National Park after you’ve completed your paddle.

Visit these Antietam Creek Website resources
Devil’s Backbone County Park - the launch point of the lower Antietam.

See more Antietam Creek canoeing and kayaking information and Antietam Creek canoeing photos.