The 17-mile Pine Creek Gorge, aka the “Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania,” is an epic paddling experience that usually takes a full day (4 to 6 hours) to paddle.  You can even make it into an overnight or multiple-day paddle-and-camp trip with over 50 additional miles of river.  There are various river access points and primitive campsites along the riverbanks.  In spring, there are class II/III rapids that require some skill to navigate.  You should have intermediate proficiency if you are canoeing or kayaking the Canyon. 

The gorge is typically seasonal, and is NOT normally floatable in summer (unless there has been recent localized heavy rain). 

Start your trip here at Pine Creek Outfitters, in Ansonia.  Most people end their trip at Blackwell or Rattlesnake Rock.  Shuttle service back to Ansonia can be arranged through Pine Creek Outfitters, even if you have your own boats and just need our transport services.

 

Please reserve any boats, equipment, or shuttle services in advance.

(570)-724-3003 or e-mail: info@pinecrk.com

 

MOST POPULAR TRIPS & AVERAGE FLOAT TIMES:

 

Ansonia to Blackwell: 17 miles, 1-2 days

(4 to 6 hours on the river)

 Slate Run: 28 miles, 2—3 days

Hamilton Bottom: 42 miles, 3—4 days

Torbert: 55 miles, 4 –5 days

 

Starting on the Upper Pine provides an additional 5 to 13 miles

RAFT, CANOE, KAYAK, & WETSUIT RENTALS

BICYCLE RENTALS & SHUTTLES

HIKING & BACKPACKING

SHUTTLE SERVICES

ACCOMMODATIONS & AREA LINKS

PRICES & F.A.Q.

ITEMS TO ORDER

MORE ABOUT PCO

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RIVER CONDITIONS & AREA WEATHER FORECAST

AREA INFO

GUIDED RAFT TRIPS

RAFT, CANOE, KAYAK, & WETSUIT RENTALS

BICYCLE RENTALS & SHUTTLES

HIKING & BACKPACKING

SHUTTLE SERVICES

ACCOMMODATIONS & AREA LINKS

PRICES & F.A.Q.

ITEMS TO ORDER

MORE ABOUT PCO

HOME

RIVER CONDITIONS & AREA WEATHER FORECAST

AREA INFO

GUIDED RAFT TRIPS

OVERNIGHT CAMPING ON PINE CREEK

Primitive tent camping is allowed along Pine Creek.  YOU MUST HAVE A CAMPING PERMIT.  THEY ARE FREE.  You can obtain one by calling DCNR Tioga State Forest Office at (570)-724-2868 or the Tiadaghton State Forest Office at (570)-753-5409.

 

Camping is available for about 11 miles in the Grand Canyon Natural Area, on either side of the river.  Camping begins after you pass the two state parks (Leonard Harrison and Colton Point, about 5 miles in).  There are many nice campsites from Burdic Run to Tiadaghton.  Tiadaghton has year-round fire rings for open fires.  Camping in the Natural Area ends at Bohen Run (about a mile north of Blackwell).  Contact Tioga State Forest Office at (570)-724-2868 for camping permits/info in this section. 

Public camping south of Blackwell is limited to three areas: Hoffman Campground (just south of Blackwell), Black Walnut Bottom (south of Slate Run), and Bonnell Flats (south of Waterville).  Contact Tiadaghton State Forest Office at (570)-753-5409 for camping permits/info in these places.

 

Campfires are allowed as long as there is not a fire ban in effect.  Contact the state forest offices listed above for information regarding fire restrictions.

CAMPING RULES: Camp only in designated camping areas.  Camping on private property is illegal.  Have small fires and use only fallen wood.  Be respectful of other users and wildlife.  CARRY IN, CARRY OUT ALL TRASH—even if it is not yours.

 

Photo by Curt Weinhold

RESERVATIONS:

We highly recommend reserving any equipment or shuttle services in advance.  We accept walk-ins too, but it does help a lot to make advanced reservations.  We recommend reserving 2 weeks or more in advance in spring, and a few days in advance in the summer.  

NORMAL PADDLING SEASON is MARCH—MAY:

Pine Creek can often be too low for paddling during summer and fall, so plan your river trips for spring.  In March, the rapids are usually at their biggest and the river level is high.  By April, most snow has melted and Pine Creek requires more rainfall.  By May, Pine Creek is completely dependent on rainfall to sustain levels. Don’t be afraid to go early in the spring season, it’s the best time to go.

SUMMER AND FALL BOATING:

Sometimes it happens, but you can never know when or for how long.  Planning for summer boating in advance is almost impossible.  You should plan for other activities too, like biking and hiking, as alternatives.  Check the river level about 2 to 3 days before your trip.

COLD/BAD WEATHER:

The river is always cold (even in late May).  RENT A WETSUIT which virtually eliminates the danger of hypothermia.  Wetsuits can be worn with additional layers such as long underwear, fleece or wool.  “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong outfit!”