Guided Schuylkill River Trips
Explore beautiful sections of the Schuylkill River Water Trail that meander through and connect the river towns of Birdsboro, 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."
Guided Kayaking Adventures
GANSHAHAWNY PARK
DOUGLASSVILLE
TO
RIVERFRONT PARK
POTTSTOWN
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: 14 participants maximum
$50*
$65*
THE "LOCK 60 LOOP"
MONT CLARE / PHOENIXVILLE
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: 14 participants maximum
$50*
$65*
GANSHAHAWNY PARK
DOUGLASSVILLE
TO
TOWPATH PARK
POTTSTOWN
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: 14 participants maximum
$65*
$75*
LOCK 60 REC AREA
MONT CLARE / PHOENIXVILLE
TO
BETZWOOD PARK
VALLEY FORGE
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 - prior paddle experience on moving water, but also appropriate for beginners who chose to paddle around the easily avoidable small rapid.
Trip Size: 14 participants maximum
$65*
$85*
Union Meadows Park
BIRDSBORO
TO
Ganshahawny Park
DOUGLASVILLE
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: Ganshahawny Park
Shuttle: 7 min shuttle provided from Ganshahawny Park to Union Meadows 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: 14 participants maximum
$50*
$65*
Gibralter Bridge
BIRDSBORO
TO
Union Meadows Park
BIRDSBORO
Description: A fantastic section during higher springtime water levels. The hallmarks are tranquil mostly flat water, a sense of remoteness, Heister's Creek, abundant wildlife sightings like an Osprey, Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron or an American Mink, a mile-long series of islands, and the "Tunnel of Love," which is a fully shaded narrow channel with magnificent trees on both banks that floats you under two bridges.
River Miles: 5.7 miles
Paddle Time: 2-3 hrs
Trip Time: 2.5-3.5 hrs (includes initial meeting + intros, shuttle, gear outfitting, instruction and kayaking)
Meeting/Take-Out Location: Union Meadows Park
Shuttle: 10 min shuttle provided from Union Meadows Park to Gibralter Bridge
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: 14 participants maximum