Schuylkill River

Explore beautiful sections of the Schuylkill River Water Trail that meander through and connect the river towns of Douglassville, Pottstown, Mont Clare, Phoenixville and, Valley Forge. Calm flat water with an abundant wildlife sightings and banks lined with a dense forested tree-line, you'll get the full experience of kayaking the "Hidden River." 

DOUGLASSVILLE TO POTTSTOWN

Name: Ganshahawny Park to Pottstown Riverfront Park

​Description: A short but sweet paddle that introduces you to the wild beauty of the Schuylkill River. The hallmarks are calm slow moving water, a diversity of stately trees lining the banks, birds soaring above, great blue heron stalking fish in the shallows and hopeful sightings of eagles, osprey, kingfisher, great egrets, turtles, frogs and fish.

River Miles: 3.9 miles

Paddle Time: 1.5-2 hrs

Trip Time: 2.5-3 hrs (includes initial meeting + intros, shuttle, gear outfitting, instruction and kayaking)

Meeting/Take-Out Location: Pottstown Riverfront Park

Shuttle: 8 min shuttle provided from Pottstown Riverfront Park to Ganshahawny Park

Included: guide(s), kayak, paddle, life jacket with whistle, waterproof bag and compartment

Bathroom: porta potty at put-in + take-out

Experience: Beginner

Trip Size: 7 participants maximum (increase to 12 and more April 2021)

MONT CLARE / PHOENIXVILLE

Name: The “Lock 60 Loop” at Lock 60 Recreation Area

Description: This 4 mile loop combines a calm and scenic downriver paddle on the Schuylkill with a tranquil return float on the historic Oaks Reach Canal that ends at the restored and fully operational Lock 60.

Total Miles: 4

River Miles: 2

Canal Mile: 2

Portage: 0.1 miles (carry kayaks 150yrds on grassy trail from Schuylkill to Canal)

Paddle Time: 1.5 – 2 hrs

Trip Time: 2.5-3 hrs (includes initial meeting + intros, gear outfitting, instruction and kayaking and portage)

Meeting/Take-Out Location: Lock 60 Recreation Area

Shuttle: not required

Included: guide(s), kayak, paddle, life jacket with whistle, waterproof bag and compartment

Bathroom: porta potty at put-in + take-out

Experience: Beginner

Trip Size: 7 participants maximum (increase to 12 and more April 2021)

DOUGLASSVILLE TO TOWPATH PARK

Name: Ganshahawny Park to Towpath Park

​Description: This trip adds 2.5 miles onto the Ganshahawny Park to Pottstown Riverfront Park trip. After paddling the initial 3.9 miles, we’ll take a stretch, bathroom and food break and explore Pottstown Riverfront Park before pushing off downstream to the scenic Towpath Park while exploring a 1 mile long series of river islands.  

River Miles: 6.4 miles

Paddle Time: 2-3 hrs

Trip Time: 3-4 hrs (includes initial meeting + intros, shuttle, gear outfitting, instruction and kayaking)

Meeting/Take-Out Location: Towpath Park

Shuttle: 10 min shuttle provided from Towpath Park to Ganshahawny Park

Included: guide(s), kayak, paddle, life jacket with whistle, waterproof bag and compartment

Bathroom: porta potty at put-in + take-out

Experience: Beginner

Trip Size: 7 participants maximum (increase to 12 and more April 2021)

MONT CLARE / PHOENIXVILLE TO VALLEY FORGE

Name: Lock 60 Recreation Area to Betzwood Park

Description: The first 2 miles are the same as the "Lock 60 Loop” trip. After paddling past the portage take-out for the “Lock 60 Loop” trip, we soon encounter an optional Class I+ rapid. We continue to paddle the calm, flat and very scenic river’s big bends as we paddle pass the mouth of the Perkiomen Creek and through Valley Forge National Historic Park.

River Miles: 8 miles

Paddle Time: 2.5-4 hrs

Trip Time: 3.5-4.5 hrs (includes initial meeting + intros, shuttle, gear outfitting, instruction and kayaking)

Meeting/Take-Out Location: Betzwood Park

Shuttle: 16 min shuttle provided from Betzwood Park to Lock 60 Recreation Area

Included: guide(s), kayak, paddle, life jacket with whistle, waterproof bag and compartment

Bathroom: porta potty at put-in + facilities at take-out

Experience: Novice

Trip Size: 7 participants maximum (increase to 12 and more April 2021)