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. With calm flat water, abundant wildlife sightings and dense forested trees outlining the banks, you'll get the full experience of kayaking the "Hidden River."
Kayaking Adventures
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)
$50*
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)
$50*
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)
$65*
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)