Pennsylvania Water Trails
Connecting our currents
What are water trails?
Water Trails are recreational waterways on lakes, rivers, and streams between specific destinations with access points and day-use and/or camping sites for the boating public. Pennsylvania’s Water Trails are exceptionally suited for low-impact use such as kayaking canoeing, paddling, and floating. PA Water Trails are managed by a specific entity, supported by their local communities, and serve to provide recreational enjoyment and stewardship opportunities.
Pennsylvania Water Trails program
Pennsylvania’s 29 water trails link outdoor recreation and water conservation efforts. Since 2008, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the National Parks Service have worked together to promote and maintain the Pennsylvania Water Trails Program’s network of creeks and rivers.
The primary goals of the program are to:
Encourage and facilitate the development of water trails that promote sustainable use of natural resources
Increase and improve access to Pennsylvania Water Trails to enhance citizen enjoyment and stewardship of local water resources
Strengthen the connections between and among water trails and land trails to create a networked system
Provide assistance and support to local water trail managers for water trail development, access enhancement, use management and community engagement.
The Pennsylvania Water Trails Program Strategic Plan, adopted in 2017, lays out steps to achieve these goals.
Questions about the Water Trails? Contact Program Coordinator Tali MacArthur at [email protected]
What are water trails?
Water Trails are recreational waterways on lakes, rivers, and streams between specific destinations with access points and day-use and/or camping sites for the boating public. Pennsylvania’s Water Trails are exceptionally suited for low-impact use such as kayaking canoeing, paddling, and floating. PA Water Trails are managed by a specific entity, supported by their local communities, and serve to provide recreational enjoyment and stewardship opportunities.
Pennsylvania Water Trails program
Pennsylvania’s 29 water trails link outdoor recreation and water conservation efforts. Since 2008, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the National Parks Service have worked together to promote and maintain the Pennsylvania Water Trails Program’s network of creeks and rivers.
The primary goals of the program are to:
- Encourage and facilitate the development of water trails that promote sustainable use of natural resources
- Increase and improve access to Pennsylvania Water Trails to enhance citizen enjoyment and stewardship of local water resources
- Strengthen the connections between and among water trails and land trails to create a networked system
- Provide assistance and support to local water trail managers for water trail development, access enhancement, use management and community engagement.
The Pennsylvania Water Trails Program Strategic Plan, adopted in 2017, lays out steps to achieve these goals.
Questions about the Water Trails? Contact Program Coordinator Tali MacArthur at [email protected]
News
Water Trail Mini Grant Applications Open
The 2024 PA Water Trails Mini-Grant cycle is now open. Proposed projects must advance program goals such as creating recreational opportunities for all Pennsylvanians on Water Trails; developing trails that support sustainable use of natural resources; increasing and improving physical and psychological access to Water Trails; and connecting water trails to land trails or to other culturally significant community assets.
All applications must be submitted online. Applications and instructions are now available at https://pennsylvaniaenvironmentalcouncil.submittable.com, or via the link at https://pecpa.org/apply. Applications are due by 5:00 PM on November 1, 2024.
Water Trail News: Delaware River Basin
In our most recent Water Trail News feature, we look at some exciting developments in the Delaware River Basin, including new and improved launches, signage, and information on upcoming events.
Check it out and plan your end of summer adventure!
Water Trails
Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism
Contact: Kim Harris
217 Elm Street
Oil City, PA 16301
814-677-3152; Ext. 120
Allegheny National Forest
Contact: Jamie Feikls
[email protected]
p: 814-335-3140
4 Farm Colony Dr. Warren, PA 16365
Conewango Creek Watershed Association
Contact: Elizabeth Dropp
4000 Conewango Ave, Warren, PA, 16365
814-726-1441 Ext 6
Cumberland County Planning Department
Contact: Stephanie Williams
310 Allen Rd, Ste. 101, Carlisle, PA 17013
717 240 5383
Appalachian Mountain Club
Contact: Mark Zakutansky
100 Illick’s Mill Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18017
610-868-6915
Contact: Brenda Costa
411 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335
814.337.4321
Allegheny Ridge Corporation
Contact: Laura Hawkins
Johnstown to Freeport
724-858-0463
Contact: Diane Motel
3701 Orchid Place, Emmaus, PA 18049
610-965-4397 ext.119
Contact: Jonathan Pinkerton
1706 Long Level Rd.,
Wrightsville, PA 17368
717-252-0229 ext. 2
Loyalhanna Watershed Association
Contact: Susan Huba
6 Old Lincoln Hwy W., Ligonier, PA 15658
724-238-7560
Water Trail Information and Maps
Kendra King Munk
Executive Director
Experience Armstrong, Inc.
125 Market St. | Kittanning, PA 16201
[email protected] | www.armstrongcounty.com
724.543.4003 (office) | 724.902.8251 (cell)
Contact: Mike Traxler
1845 Market Street Suite
204 Camp Hill, PA 17011
Contact: Kim Harris
217 Elm Street Oil City, PA 16301
814-677-3152; Ext. 120
Contact: Ryan Beltz
1 Skippack Pike
Schwenksville, PA 19473
610.287.9383
Maps and More Information
Contact: Jim Hyland
86 Dry Run Road, Hillsgrove, PA 18619
570-924-1613
Contact: Julia Hurle
140 College Drive, Pottstown, PA 19464
484-945-0200
Swatara Watershed Association
Contact: Bethany Canner
20 Black Walnut Ln, Annville, PA 17003
717-821-1681
Riverways
Stefanie A. Kroll, Project Director
[email protected]
1315 Walnut St Unit 320, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (206)-604-0750
Riverways.org
Endless Mountains Heritage Area
Contact: Cain Chamberlin
602 Main St., Suite #7, Towanda, PA 18848
570-265-1528
Water Trail Information and Map
Susquehanna Greenway Partnership
Leslie Warriner
570.764.0463 (cell)
[email protected]
301 Market St., #649, Lewisburg, PA 17837
570-478-0178
Water Trail Information and Maps
Cumberland County Planning Department
Contact: Stephanie Williams
0 310 Allen Rd, Ste. 101, Carlisle, PA 17013
717 240 5383
Water Trail Information and Map
Mountain Watershed Association
Contact: Eric Harder
1414-B Indian Creek Valley Road PO Box 408, Melcroft PA 15462
724-455-4200
Resources for Managers
Designate a Water Trail
Principles
The Pennsylvania Water Trails Program has eight guiding principles:
Partnership
A water trail is the product of partnerships among an array of government and non-governmental entities. With volunteers as the key supporters and advocates of the trail, partnerships are developed among government land managing agencies, private property owners, government regulatory agencies, user groups, and local businesses. Together, these groups can create, maintain, and promote a successful water trail with broad-based and long-term support.
Stewardship
Water trails promote minimum-impact practices that ensure a sustainable future for waterways and adjacent lands. Water trails promote the responsible use and enjoyment of the outdoors. A trail user who understands their potential impact to water, soil, vegetation, wildlife, and other trail users will be a better caretaker. When users learn to protect and restore areas along the trail, they may be inclined to do likewise in their own communities and backyards.
Volunteerism
Most water trails are created, promoted, and maintained through the energy and dedication of local citizens, working individually and through organizations to support the trail. Community involvement and volunteerism are the keys to developing a sense of trail stewardship, promoting the trail within the community, encouraging respect for the trail’s natural and cultural heritage, and ensuring that local governments support the trail’s existence. Through love of place – and of good times – volunteers bring hard work and celebration to the water trail community.
Education
Through comprehensive trail guides, signage, public outreach, and informative programs, water trail organizations encourage awareness of the natural, cultural, and historical attributes of the trail. Serving as outdoor classrooms, water trails teach through seeing, listening, touching – experiencing.
Conservation
Water trail activities support the conservation of the aquatic ecosystem, contiguous lands, and important cultural artifacts. Trail builders and activists are a respected constituency advocating for resource protection and participating in resource restoration. The water trail community is a watchdog in prevention of environmentally harmful acts, striving to sustain the natural integrity of the trail and preserve the quality of the trail experience.
Community Development
A water trail is a network of recreation and educational opportunities. Hiking trails, bikeways, greenways, museums, historic sites, parks, and preserves are connected by water trails creating frontiers for exploration, discovery, and enrichment. The connections build a sense of place and bind citizens in a love for their community. When trail users take advantage of adjacent towns and amenities, they also create economic benefits for the communities.
Diversity
Water trails are non-exclusive. They benefit the able-bodied and the disabled, the young and the old, the disadvantaged and the privileged. Water trails welcome all those that want to respectfully enjoy and appreciate the trail experience. Through shared work and play, tolerance and understanding are fostered. Broad-based participation in trail activities is achieved through affirmative outreach and recruitment.
Wellness & Well-Being
Water trails are wholesome; fresh air and exercise bring fitness and health to trail users. While actively promoting these benefits, water trail users need reliable and accurate safety information and training to responsible enjoy and appreciate water trails. Safe use requires a commitment to safe design and sound management. Awareness, education, and safety skills training promote the wellness and well-being of all water trail users.