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Paddling Pennsylvania ... On the water
Sunday, October 18, 2009
By Peter B. King

"People just do not realize how much water there is in Western Pennsylvania," says Paul Egbert, owner of the specialty retailer Wind and Water Boatworks.

That's why this partial list of good places for beginners to canoe or kayak is a long one. Where to start?

"What I would highly recommend," says Dennis Tubbs, an outreach and education coordinator for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, "is if anybody wants to learn kayaking/canoeing, try the flatwater first in one of the parks. And then, if they want to go to moving water, I would do any of the Yough River below Connellsville. Especially this time of year, it's extremely scenic."

Flat-water trips: lakes, creeks and rivers
  • Allegheny River, Downtown Pittsburgh
  • Allegheny River, Armstrong Co.
  • Monongahela River, McKeesport
  • Ohio River: Kilbuck, Sewickley and Leetsdale (launch fee)
  • Cross Creek Lake, Washington Co. (launch permit fee, no rentals)
  • Lake Arthur, Mercer Co.
  • Lake Wilhelm, Maurice K. Goddard State Park, Mercer Co.
  • Raccoon Lake, Raccoon Creek State Park, Beaver Co. (on-site rental)
  • Keystone Lake, Keystone State Park, Westmoreland Co. (limited rentals)
  • Cranberry Glade Lake, Somerset Co.
  • Loyalhanna Lake, Westmoreland Co.
  • Conneaut Lake, Crawford Co.
  • Shenango Lake, Mercer Co.
  • Youghiogheny River, lower-lower section, Cedar Creek Park to West Newton
  • Youghiogheny River, lower-lower section, West Newton to McKeesport
  • Conemaugh River, Armstrong Co.
Boat sales and rentals
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First published on October 18, 2009 at 12:00 am