
September 26 is World Rivers Day, and it's a beautiful time of year for a kayaking trip in Pennsylvania. We decided to mark the occasion by singing the praises of some of our favorite local streams in Dutch Country.
If you're ready for an adventure, there are some truly amazing rivers and creeks in our neck of the woods. These are our real estate agents' favorite places to paddle in Harrisburg and the surrounding areas.
- Susquehanna River - Harrisburg, PA 17101
The city of Harrisburg overlooks the Susquehanna River, one of the most spectacularly beautiful waterways in Pennsylvania. This wide, meandering river flows between rocky shores and scenic forests for most of its course and is easily accessible at numerous points along the way. In Harrisburg, City Island is a great place to start. Located in the middle of the river not far from these Harrisburg homes for sale, the island is operated as a public park and is a prime launch site with amazing views of the city skyline. Just across the river, Susquehanna Outfitters offers guided trips and kayak rentals.
- Conestoga River - Lancaster, PA 17601
An excellent destination for novice kayakers in Lancaster County, the Conestoga River winds through 61 miles of picturesque farmlands and forests. It passes right through the city of Lancaster and offers easy kayaking access just minutes from many Lancaster homes for sale. In summer, the Conestoga River provides mild conditions for easy paddling, and its entire length is a designated water trail. Perelman Park is a popular canoe and kayak launch site in Lancaster, and Kayak LanCo offers guided paddling trips on the lower Conestoga River, from Rock Hill Bridge to its confluence with the Susquehanna.
- Conodoguinet Creek - Carlisle, PA 17013
An underrated paddling stream that offers 90 miles of smooth water and mild riffles, Conodoguinet Creek is great for a relaxing kayak trip. Most of the stream traverses rural countryside, and it's a popular place for bird watching. Conodoguinet Creek also offers some great smallmouth bass fishing, and it's common to see turtles sunning themselves along the bank. The lower 36.5 miles of the creek offers unobstructed paddling from Creekview Park in Carlisle, PA, to West Fairview Park in East Pennsboro. The former is a prime launch site, located a stone's throw from these Carlisle homes for sale.
- Schuylkill River - Reading, PA 19605
The Schuylkill River twists and turns through 135 miles of Pennsylvania Dutch Country before it eventually flows into the Delaware River in Philadelphia. Farther upstream in Reading, PA, the river is a calm, welcoming stream with numerous access points that make it perfect for paddling. Kelly's Lock and Jackson's Landing are popular put-in and take-out locations not far from these Reading homes for sale, one of dozens of prime access sites along the Schuylkill River Water Trail.
- Swatara Creek - Hershey, PA 17033
A 72-mile tributary of the Susquehanna River, Swatara Creek trickles down from the Appalachian ridges before tracing a winding course through Dutch Country (the 2,180-mile Appalachian Trail crosses the stream about 20 miles north of Hershey, PA). There are half a dozen kayak access points in the Hershey area, including Swatara Creek Park, which is practically within walking distance of these Hershey homes for sale. From Swatara Creek Park downstream to Schiavoni Park in Hummelstown is a beautiful 5-mile paddle between shady, wooded hills. Cocoa Kayak Rentals offers kayak rentals and shuttle services to and from the creek in the Hershey area.
Contact us today to learn more about the adventures that await in Harrisburg, PA, and the surrounding area!