GENERAL INFORMATION QUESTIONS
Q: WHERE IS PINE CREEK OUTFITTERS?
A: Pine Creek Outfitters is about 10 miles west of Wellsboro on Rt 6 (3/4 mile west of Route 362), across from Great Valley Rentals and Mack’s Chainsaw Art. We are only 1 mile from the Pine Creek Rail Trail and the West Rim Trail. We are 1/2 mile west of Colton Road/Burnin’ Barrell, 5 miles from Colton Point State Park, and 15 miles from Leonard Harrison State Park.
Pine Creek Outfitters has direct boat access to Pine Creek and a private boat launching area with parking available.
Q: WHEN SHOULD I MAKE A RESERVATION?
A: We recommend making a reservation at least two weeks in advance during spring (March through May). Summer water conditions are less certain, so we recommend making reservations about 2 – 5 days in advance (June – October). Reservations are required for all of our guided trips.
Q: HOW DOES THE SHUTTLE SERVICE WORK?
OPTION # 1:
Start at Pine Creek Outfitters and end at your destination. Get picked up after you have finished. Many people that are bicycling or boating the 17-mile PA Grand Canyon choose this option.
OPTION # 2:
Get picked up at your destination before you start. We will bring you to Pine Creek Outfitters (or another location of your choice) to start.
OPTION # 3:
Get dropped off at a destination and make your way back to Pine Creek Outfitters or where your vehicle is parked. This is recommended for hikers on West Rim Trail or Mid State Trail and some bicyclists.
OPTION # 4:
Valet Service (vehicle shuttle) If you have your own equipment you can get your vehicle shuttled. We will drive your vehicle to your destination. Please remember to fill out a vehicle shuttle form.
- Please sign up in advance for your shuttle by booking online or e-mailing us.
- Gratuities for your shuttle driver are accepted and appreciated.
- Paddling the Upper Pine Creek – shuttles run on a demand basis (approx. every hour).
- Please remember to sign up for a time in advance. Please arrive about 20 minutes early for your trip to get checked in and ready.
- The first shuttle leaves at 9:30 AM and the last one leaves at 3:30 PM.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
A: If you cancel your trip and give us more than 2 days advance notice, there is a $10/person non-refundable deposit and a processing fee charged by our credit card processing firm). Please understand that we are unable to reserve or rent equipment for other parties if you have reserved it in advance (this is business that we have had to turn away). If you cancel your trip less than 48 hours prior to your trip, there are no refunds available though we offer free rain checks and rescheduling for the same year. If we have to cancel a trip due to low or high water conditions there is no cancellation fee. If we have to cancel a trip due to low or high water conditions there is no cancellation fee. We operate rain or shine!
BOATING AND CREEK QUESTIONS
Q: WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO PADDLE PINE CREEK?
A: Spring – March to May. Pine Creek can often be shallow in summer and is only occasionally floatable immediately following heavy rain.
Q: IS PINE CREEK EVER FLOATABLE IN THE SUMMER?
A: Sometimes yes but you never know when or how long it will last. There are no dams controlling the water levels in Pine Creek. Pine Creek is the largest “creek” in the United States but it functions just like typical smaller creeks – the creek levels depend entirely on the spring snow melt and local rainfall throughout the year. Northcentral PA and Pine Creek receives less average rainfall than the rest of PA. Check the creek conditions on this website.
Q: IS THE WATER COLD IN SPRING?
A: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong outfit.” The water in Pine Creek is cold anytime during the float season – even in late May! Wetsuits and other cold weather attire are highly recommended throughout the entire float season.
Q: WHAT DO PEOPLE WEAR WHEN BOATING ON PINE CREEK?
A: Cotton clothing is NOT recommended because cotton becomes heavy and does not help you stay warm after you get wet. A neoprene wetsuit (2 mm or thicker) is almost always recommended and is included on our guided trips. A wetsuit virtually eliminates the dangers of hypothermia. There are also non-cotton layers of clothing you can wear like fleece, wool, synthetic long underwear, and waterproof jackets & pants.
Q: HOW DIFFICULT IS BOATING ON PINE CREEK?
A: Pine Creek is considered easy to moderate whitewater. Most of the creek is class I or II with easy floating stretches and minimal maneuvering required. The PA Grand Canyon (gorge section) is rated as class II for most of the season. When the creek is higher it can become a class III. You should have intermediate proficiency if you are canoeing or kayaking the 17-mile gorge section (Ansonia to Blackwell). About 50% of inexperienced people in canoes and kayaks will likely flip or capsize in higher water. Less than 5% of rafters capsize or fall in the water – so rafts are generally the safer choice.
Q: SHOULD I GO WITH A GUIDED TRIP – OR – RENT AND GO ON MY OWN?
A: We recommend a guided trip if you have never paddled Pine Creek or if you are unsure of anyone’s abilities. You never know what might happen when boating in a wilderness setting. Our guides know the river better than anyone and are trained in swiftwater rescues, wilderness first-aid, and CPR. An essential skill is being able to recover people and gear after capsizing in moving water. Our guided trips include shuttle service, wetsuit rental, a buffet lunch, beverages, and unlmited local knowledge and entertainment provided by our awesome staff!
Q: WHAT IF CREEK LEVELS ARE TOO LOW OR TOO HIGH FOR PADDLING?
A: It is a good idea to make a backup plan with alternate activities – just in case there are unfavorable creek conditions. We have multiple activities to offer as alternatives: boating on the Upper Pine, inner tubing, hiking, and bicycling on the popular 66-mile Pine Creek Rail Trail.
WHAT DO I NEED TO WEAR WHEN BOATING ON PINE CREEK?
A. WETSUITS: highly recommended through early to mid May for both comfort and safety. 2 & 3 mm wetsuits are much more comfortable that rainsuits or wool clothes when the weather is cool, especially if you are wet. They are not water repellent. They are specifically designed to retain your body heat when you are wet. Wetsuits insulate your body and allow a thin layer of water to be trapped next to your skin and be naturally warmed.
Under the wetsuit you should only wear thin, non-cotton layers, such as micro fleece, polypropylene, long underwear, or a swimsuit.
Over the wetsuit attire depends on the weather. Fleece jackets or wool sweaters, combined with some kind of windbreaker, is ideal dress for most spring trips. The more layers you have on, the warmer you will be generally. Our farmer-john wetsuits cover from your ankles to your shoulders. They are sleeveless so you should have at least one additional warm, non-cotton layer for over your wetsuit.
Over your feet you should wear wetsuit socks – just like regular socks, except made of neoprene. Wetsuit socks do not have any soles so, you also need to wear something else that covers your feet and your toes – an old pair of sneakers or boots will work. Neoprene water shoes are best for this activity.
Hat and gloves help a lot to add warmth and insulation on cooler days. Waterproof/weatherproof windbreaker jackets and pants are also helpful for keeping you dry.
Pine Creek Outfitters sells & rents wetsuits (ALL sizes from kids to 4XL adult), wetsuit socks, paddling jackets, and wetsuit mittens. We also sell other wetsuit & cold weather attire like socks, paddling jackets, gloves, and watershoes at our store.
HOW DO YOU PACK YOUR STUFF WHEN BOATING?
A. DRYBAGS: Put all personal belongings and extra clothes in a drybag. Most drybags have a handle that buckles together. Buckle (or tie down) your drybag(s) to your boat to prevent your stuff from floating away if you capsize. It is much easier to recover all your belongings if they are in the same place – attached to your boat. Pine Creek Outfitters sells drybags and dry phone pouches.
STAYING OVERNIGHT QUESTIONS
Q: IS CAMPING AVAILABLE ON PINE CREEK?
A: Yes but you must first obtain a FREE camping permit from DCNR. Camping from Ansonia to Rattlesnake Rock is in Tioga County – Tioga State Forest (570)-724-2868. Camping from Rattlesnake Rock south to Jersey Shore is in Lycoming County – Tiadaghton State Forest (570)-753-5409.
Permit camping is allowed along Pine Creek and in the state forest. You must get a (FREE) camping permit to camp along Pine Creek by boat or foot. The best primitive campsites are located in the gorge natural area. Other designated camping areas include Black Walnut Bottom and Bonnell Flats. Black Walnut Bottom and Tiadaghton (no overnight parking) are the only camping areas along Pine Creek that have road access. Check PA DCNR’s website for complete information regulating camping. Contact the Tioga State Forest Office (570)-724-2868 for primative camping north of Rattlesnake Rock. Contact the Tiadaghton State Forest Office (570)-753-5409 for camping south of Rattlesnake Rock.
Q: WHERE ARE THE CAMPSITES ON PINE CREEK?
A: Primitive campsites are found in the canyon natural area (they are all first-come & first-served). There are established campsites at Tiadaghton – with picnic tables, fire rings, and bathrooms. Camping is also availble at Hoffman Camp (1 mile south of Blackwell), Black Walnut Bottom (near Slate Run), and Bonnell Flats (near Waterville).
Q: WHERE IS LODGING AVAILABLE?
A: The most popular place to stay is the nearby town of Wellsboro. It has the most lodging options and amenities, and it’s in a very convenient location. Other towns with lodging options – Ansonia, Galeton, Blackwell, Cedar Run, Slate Run, Waterville, and Jersey Shore. There are numerous cabin rentals located all over the area and along Pine Creek. Find information on lodging, restaurants, and additional activities in our Outdoor Adventure Guide Or contact the Visit Potter-Tioga Visitors Bureau (570)-724-0635 for full listings and availability for lodging.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW FOR MULTI-DAY BOATING TRIPS?
A. Pine Creek provides excellent shoreside primitive camping for multi-day raft and canoe trips through the Canyon and Pine Creek Valley. Average trip times:
Ansonia to Rattlesnake Rock – 19 miles, 1 – 2 days
Ansonia to Slate Run – 28 miles, 2 – 3 days
Ansonia to Hamilton Bottom – 42 miles, 3 – 4 days
Galeton to Torbert – 68 miles, 4 – 5 days
CAMPING PERMITS AND RULES: Primitive camping is allowed (with a permit) in the Canyon north and south of Tiadaghton, and at the Tiadaghton, Hoffman, Black Walnut Bottom, and Bonnel Flats Camping areas.
1. You must have a camping permit, and boat-in CAMPING PERMITS ARE FREE. Obtain one in advance for camping north of Rattlesnake Rock from the Tioga State Forest Office (570)-724-2868. For camping south of Rattlesnake Rock, contact the Tiadaghton State Forest Office in at (570)-753-5409.
2. Camping on private property (or any other non-designated camping area) is illegal.
3. Check with the Tioga State Forest Office (570)-724-2868 to see if there is a fire ban in effect and for full permit camping information. Make small enclosed fires and use only fallen wood.
4. Please be quiet and respectful of other users on Pine Creek and local wildlife.
5. CARRY IN, CARRY OUT all trash – even if it is not yours.