Let's GO! Northwest Pennsylvania Great Outdoors On-Line Magazine of People, Places, & Events

The River Wild Paddle into Summer
    Paddling down the river price. Some outfitters also sell fishing licenses, bait and tackle. Most canoe trips are chartered on Class I (easy to navigate) rivers and streams. Some outfitters will arrange more challenging whitewater adventures on Class II to Class V rapids in nearby creeks for skilled paddlers who use their own equipment. Canoe rentals get busy in the warm weather months and especially on weekends. So get an early start and you will have more time to enjoy on the water. To check area water levels and river conditions call toll-free 888-881-7555. Outfitters monitor the latest river conditions as well. ■

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Let’s GO! is a travel magazine published quarterly by the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau.
NWPA Great Outdoors Region
It is available free at interstate rest stops, hotels and popular destinations in Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Forest, Elk, and Jefferson Counties in NW Pennsylvania.
     The magazine contains feature articles and photos, interviews, travel tips, a calendar of events, and more.

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PA Great Outdoors

 and an avid canoeist herself, “The Clarion River is not as fast paced as the Allegheny. “It’s probably a better river for beginners going kayaking, canoeing and especially inner tubing.” The river’s slower pace makes it a popular choice for family outings. The Clarion River will give you “a nice quiet day, you can reflect and enjoy yourself outdoors, and see everything’s that going on in nature all around you,” Hepler said. The trip from Ridgway to Cook Forest takes you past undeveloped hardwood forests filled with wildlife. Intermittent riffles and rock outcrops provide constantly changing scenery. The rocks are great for sunbathing, fishing and picnicking. Outfitters in the area offer short 4-mile sojourns as well as overnight 40 to 50 mile trips. There are many different campgrounds and woods you can stop to pitch a tent and build a campfire overlooking river. If fishing is your thing, the Clarion has trophy-size brown trout and small and large mouth bass. The stretches of the Clarion, Allegheny and West Branch Rivers in the Great Outdoors region have been designated National Wild & Scenic Rivers by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other managing agencies. There are plenty of canoe and kayak rentals in the region offering trips that last a few hours to a few days. Generally, one canoe holds two adults and two small children or three adults. Paddles, life jackets, and shuttle transportation are usually included in the rental
Claron River Access Points

Instanter Boat Launch – on the east side of the East Branch Lake in Elk State Park. Excellent site. Picnic area, restrooms, water.
East Branch Boat Launch – near the East Branch Dam. Site is next to water, public phone, food concession and restrooms. Plenty of parking. USACE Access – immediately below the East Branch Dam on US Army Corps of Engineers property. Accessible from Kilgus Road
Glen Hazel Access – on the East Branch Clarion River. Parking and access on both sides of the river just below Glen Hazel Bridge. Caution: Approximately 1/2 mile downstream is a historical dam. Do not attempt to float over dam.
Wilcox Access – better for kayakers. Located just off of SR321 on T359 near the mouth of Wilson Run. Not well established, steep banks and limited parking. River flow usually not conducive to canoeing.
Johnsonburg Access – parking shared with soccer fields. Access on the upstream side of the bridge.
Loves Canoe Access – just off Route 219 located on Main Street in downtown Ridgway.
Portland Mills Access – developed access. Pull-off area with limited parking.
Arroyo Access – located on SGL 44. Well developed canoe access on the south side of the bridge with ample parking.
Irwin Access – located in Allegheny National Forest. Travel east from Hallton on the north side of the river, cross Irwin Run. Access at sharp bend with pull off. Well established with ample parking, no camping.
Hallton Access – plenty of parking. On SGL 28. Owned and maintained by PA Game Commission.

Heath Access – located along SR949. Some parking and interpretive signage about local history. Located across from the Heath Trout Nursery.
Clear Creek Access – located in Clear Creek State Park. Ample parking. Get directions and info from state park office.
Barnett Township Access - located just off of SR899. Well developed with ample parking.
Cook Forest State Park Access – located in Cook Forest State. Beach-like setting. Parking area across the road.
Gravel Lick Access – located on State Game Lands 283. Ample parking.
Mill Creek Access – maintained by PA Fish & Boat Commission.
State Game Lands 74—located across the river from the mouth of Mill Creek Accessible from Highland Township Road 572. Not easy to find unless familiar with area or have a good map.
Clarion Access - follow SR 68 through Clarion. One SR68 crosses SR322, it becomes SR1005. Turn right just before crossing the bridge. Plenty of parking.
322 Bridge Access – easy to find. Plenty of parking. Access is downstream of the bridge on the left.
Deer Creek Access – plenty of parking. Access is on Deer Creek, but quite close to Clarion River. Pull-out not difficult.
Callensburg Access – access on
northeast side of the SR58 Bridge.
Alum Rock Access Point – remotely
located. Road to it travels across private farm. 4 x 4 vehicle recommended. Limited parking.
Parkers Landing – along the Allegheny River below the mouth of the Clarion River.

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Let’s GO! NW Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Magazine of People, Places & Events