Canoe Camping the Sinnemahoning Creek

Sinnemahoning Creek: Driftwood to Keating approximately 16 miles
Boat Access Points: Driftwood, Sinnemahoning, Keating
River Class: 1
Description: Excellent scenery, commercial campsites, fishing, easy rapids, elk, deer, turkey, excellent run for beginners
USGS Gauge: The Sinnemahoning Creek minimum depth of 3.0 ft at Sinnemahoning Go to the USGS Website.

The Sinnemahoning Creek is a fork of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and has some of the same alluring features as the West Branch. The Sinnemahoning was once a route for native Americans and eventually served as a route for 19th century loggers to transport their timber to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. The Sinnemahoning Creek begins at Driftwood and flows 15 miles to the West Branch of the Susquehanna at Keating. It is a slow running river with a flat calm surface offering occasional gentle rapids that may thrill a beginning paddler.

Even though the Sinnemahoning Creek parallels route 120, and tourism and recreation make up a large portion of the local economy, it delivers a sense of serenity and seclusion. And while the creek offers an excellent paddling opportunity, there are other things to explore beyond paddling. This wilderness area of Pennsylvania offers hiking, mountain biking, hunting, camping, Pennsylvania history, and bountiful landscape and wildlife photographic opportunities.

First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek

First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek: Wharton to Sinnemahoning approximately 20 miles
Boat Access Points: Wharton, George B. Stevenson Dam, Sinnemahoning, Keating
River Class: 1
Description: Scenery, commercial campsites, fishing, wildlife
USGS Gauge: First Fork of the Sinnemahoning - 5 ft at Wharton and 1 ft below the George B Stevenson dam. Go to the USGS Website

The First Fork of the Sinnemahoning Creek begins its flow miles above Costello, but the most favorable paddling section of this creek begins at Wharton and flows 20 miles to the Sinnemahoning Creek. And you could extend your trip another 12 miles to the West Branch of the Susquehanna in Keating.

The first section of the First Fork extends from Wharton to the George B. Stevenson Dam at the Sinnemahoning State Park. This is an interesting, scenic, short section of river, and in only a few hours you will reach the waters of the dam. You can take out at the state park or continue to paddle through to the Sinnemahoning Creek. If you paddle through you will have to portage around the dam.

The second section of this journey stretches from the dam to the Sinnemahoning Creek. It is easy paddling and nice scenery, and only occasional hints of summer camps and homes. Because of the limited camping on this creek, plan your camping at the Sinnemahoning State Park or another commercial campground.