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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Q: How does your shuttle service work?
We are located in Ansonia and have direct access to Pine Creek 200 yards behind our building. You can put in here (or further upstream) and arrange for us to pick you up when you are done. We are only 1 mile from the bike trail and the West Rim Trail. We shuttle people, equipment (even if it is not rented from us), personal gear, and dogs too.
A. paddling one-day from Ansonia to Blackwell or Rattlesnake Rock
You should start before 10:30 AM to finish the Canyon by the last shuttle pickup at 5:00 PM (subject to change). Average float time for the Canyon is 5 + hours (really depends a lot on the water conditions that day). Let us know what time you plan on finishing, so we can make enough room for you on our shuttle vans.
B. paddling Pine Creek overnight/multiple days
You can start anytime you like before 4:30 PM. Just remember that the first campsites are about 5 miles (or about two hours) downstream from Pine Creek Outfitters. Allow yourself enough time to check-in, etc. so you can get to a suitable campsite before dark. Set up a pickup time/destination before you leave.
An option that has helped out a lot of our overnight customers has been getting a vehicle shuttle. Leave us a key and we will drive your vehicle to your end point so it is waiting for you when you are done.
C. biking the Pine Creek Trail (click HERE for bicycle shuttle info)
D. hiking the West Rim Trail (click HERE for hiker shuttle info)
E. paddling the Upper Pine (Half-Day Trips on Pine Creek)
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Q: Where can I camp?
If you are paddling or biking along Pine Creek, there is a 12-mile section of State Forest land where you can camp on both sides of the river. Tiadaghton is the most popular camping area, with bathrooms and several fire rings.
Camping in the Canyon is allowed from Burdic Run to Bohen Run. There is a short no camping section near Dillon Hollow because of an active bald eagle nest. Just south of Blackwell, you can camp at Hoffman Campground.
The Tioga State Forest ends near the Lycoming County border (south of Blackwell). It then becomes the Tiadaghton State Forest, where camping is limited to numbered sites and restricted to only a few places.
Camping south of Blackwell is available at Pettecote Junction Campground (in Cedar Run), Black Walnut Bottom (2 miles south of Slate Run), Hamilton Bottom, and Bonnell Flats (3 miles below Waterville).
Camping is also available at many of the nearby State Parks and also in areas of State Forest. Call 1-800-63-PARKS or visit http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us for more information on camping.
There are also commercial campgrounds in the area with facilities and excellent locations. Click HERE for a list of commercial campgrounds
Q: Do I need a camping permit?
Yes, if you are going to paddle or bike along Pine Creek and camp then you need to get a camping permit. They are free.
Q: Where do I get a camping permit? Can I have a campfire?
For the Tioga State Forest Office (Tioga County), call (570)-724-2868 For the Tiadaghton State Forest Office (Lycoming County), call (570)-327-3450 |
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Q: I don’t want to camp. Are there motels/B&B’s/cabins along Pine Creek?
Yes, but there is nothing in the Canyon itself. There are many cabin rentals along the Upper Pine (Galeton to Ansonia), at Blackwell, and at many of the villages south of Blackwell. B&B’s are all nicely located at different points of interest (some in Wellsboro, some in the boonies for a more secluded rustic touch). Motels and hotels are more centrally located in Ansonia & Wellsboro and at a few of the villages along Pine Creek.
Click HERE for a listing of Motels, B&B’s, & Cabins
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A convenient way to end your trip is by using our shuttle services. We offer vehicle shuttles and shuttles for those with their own boats. |
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Pine Creek Outfitters is located 11 miles west of Wellsboro on US Route 6 along Pine Creek at the entrance to the PA Grand Canyon, 1 mile from the Rail Trail and the north end of the WRT. Our base has on-site launching of boats and is conveniently located for nearby access to hiking trails. We sell hiking maps and trail-guides and our staff is very knowledgeable about the area. We are 3/4 mile west of the Ansonia bridge . Look for our red canoes and rough-cut building. |
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We open at 9:00 AM for rentals and shuttles, so any pre-arranged morning shuttle pick-ups should allow driving time for our shuttle vans to reach your pick-up point. We close at 6:00 PM so any afternoon shuttles should be scheduled no later than 5:00 PM so our drivers can return to Ansonia before we close. |
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NORMAL SHUTTLE PICKUP SCHEDULE: (these times are subject to changes based on demand/availability)
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Blackwell: Rattlesnake Rock: Cedar Run/Gamble Run: Slate Run: Black Walnut Bottom: Hamilton Bottom/Waterville: Torbert/Whitetail: Jersey Shore: |
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1:00, 3:00, 5:00 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 2:45 & 4:45 2:30 & 4:30 2:30 & 4:30 Approx. 4:00 call for times call for times |
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Shuttle Distance (one-way) |
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32 mi. (45 min.) 34 mi. (50 min.) 39 mi. (1.25 hrs) 44 mi. (1.5 hrs) 46 mi. (1.6 hrs) 58 mi. (1.75 hrs) 71 mi. (1.9 hrs) 73 mi. (2 hrs) |
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STEPS FOR ARRANGING A SHUTTLE:
1. Choose a trip length and ending point. E-mail us with any preliminary questions you have. 2. Call or e-mail us a few days in advance to let us know you will need a shuttle, so we can staff accordingly. 3. When you arrive at PCO, establish the exact time and location of your pickup or drop-off.
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Due to the length of the shuttles, we only send shuttle vans to a location if someone has signed up for a specific destination and time. |
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Please remember that there is basically no cell phone signal in the canyon and on most of Pine Creek! |