Since the mid 80’s, Riversport has been a family owned business and premier instructional paddling school with a retail store located along the majestic Youghiogheny River in Confluence, Pennsylvania. The primary advocate for the preservation and protection of whitewater rivers throughout the United States and connects the interests of human-powered recreational river users with ecological and science-based data to achieve goals within our mission. For the angler, there are numerous coves and backwater area… The Youghs is controlled by a bottom-release dam upriver at Confluence, Pennsylvania. It is a class 2 but it is very close to a class 3. Once out in the current, we quickly paddled to find the through-current and avoid the shoals and gravel bars. We put in at the riverside park in Connellsville under blue skies. Beginner lessons will typically start at Yough lake where the water is warmer. From Pittsburgh: South on route 119 to Connellsville. The Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle has exciting whitewater kayaking for all experience levels, and the Lower Yough is the best known whitewater run in the eastern United States. guest-paddler. Summer outings include our daily Pedal 2 Paddle outings along the Yough River and Bike Trail. This river is great for kayaking in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. As we paddled downstream, we saw fewer and fewer people on the trail, and fewer and fewer houses. The Youghiogheny (Or Yough as its known locally) has a well-deserved reputation for its whitewater stretches, but today we would be on the less-traveled lower section from Connellsville to Perryopolis. There are 3 upper portion Rapids and 5 main lower rapids all are class 1 and class 2. Recreation A popular location for recreation, Youghiogheny River Lake attracts numerous visitors each year. Learn more. A more leisurely approach would be more in keeping with the nature of this stretch which has its share of flatwater (in ever-increasing amounts as you proceed downstream). We put in at the riverside park in Connellsville under blue skies. River levels can change the difficulty of rapids. Tap to Call: 724-872-7585. About Youghiogheny Canoe Outfitters Inc: Established in 2000, Youghiogheny Canoe Outfitters is located at 226 Collinsburg Rd in West Newton, PA - Westmoreland County and is a business listed in the categories Canoes & Kayaks Rental & Leasing, Canoes & Kayaks, Canoe & Kayak and Canoes & Kayaks Rental & Charter. From the Youghiogheny reservoir were you can drive on top of the dam to the state park at the outflow area of the Dam. by  Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania is the Mid-Atlantic regions capital of whitewater rafting. guest-paddler. PA Fish & Boat commission sticker on canoe/kayak. THE HISTORIC YOUGH PENNSYLVANIA BOATING REGULATIONS YOUGHIOGHENY WATER TRAIL The Youghiogheny River, known as the Yough or “Yawk,” is unusual in that it fl ows north for 132 miles, including 74 miles in Pennsylvania. Yesterday, while on an evening “loop” (youghiogheny river) run on the with a few friends we shared an interesting insight into kayaking. We put in at 3 pm at the State Park put in just off of route 281 below Confluence, Penn. On Sunday afternoon, April 2nd we decided to take advantage of the warming weather and get some river miles under our hull. Trains rumble by fairly regularly. Plan on carrying water, food for this trip. It fl ows from Maryland and West Virginia to the Monongahela River at McKeesport, south of Pittsburgh. This thirteen-mile river trip is bordered on the river-left bank by the Youghiogheny River Trail (YRT), a 43-mile limestone surfaced trail built along the right-of-way of the defunct Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad between McKeesport and Connellsville in southwestern Pennsylvania. This overlook is an easy park and see experience above Ohiopyle, but an angled rock slope may challenge some visitors. The next 2 on the upper half are nice class 2 rapids that are best run in the middle of the river. You will experience Class III and IV rapids. Toggle navigation. Since there is a reservoir upstream, it reliably runs during the entire busy season from April to the middle of October. We are a fun, family-owned business that offers bait and tackle along with canoe and kayak rentals at reasonable prices. Here are a few things that you should know about this river tour. Located in the park is the Falls Day Use Area. Ohiopyle State Park is located south of Pittsburgh, in the Laurel Mountains of Fayette and Somerset Counties, and encompasses about 19,052 acres of natural beauty. Youghiogheny River Photography Ohiopyle Photography specializes in River Photography, which means we photograph rafting and kayaking trips on the Youghiogheny River. requires a 10$ launching license that you can buy there, or online. We got sideways on it, but came on through. Youll find most activity near towns such as Connellsville, Perryopolis, and Ohiopyle. The water level is … The weather was sunny 80 degrees and the river level was 2.42 feet . Despite these reminders of human activity, progress downstream brings an ever-increasing sense of remoteness. A short, 65 mile drive from Pittsburgh, and only 3.5 hours from Baltimore, Washington D.C, and Ohio makes it a perfect mountain getaway. Rent bikes and kayaks along the Youghiogheny River and GAP Trail between Connellsville and Boston, Pennsylvania. Ohiopyle is a rafting and a bicycle town that does nothing but cater to visitors. We put in at 3 pm at the State Park put in just off of route 281 below Confluence, Penn. I recommend the Firefly grill - the Italian sausage sandwich and fries are out of this world. The Youghiogheny River has 3 primary “river-sections”, that are immensely popular for river rafting; the Upper Youghiogheny (wild – Class 4-5), the Middle Youghiogheny (mellow – Class 2) and the Lower Youghiogheny (exciting – Class 3+). The reservoir also provides a constant flow in the Youghiogheny River during summer months for white water rafting and canoeing enthusiasts. Boating, hunting, camping and many other outdoor activities are enjoyed by visitors with outstanding facilities provided for the public's convenience. The lack of roads, sheer cliffs on either side, and the rail right of ways have conspired to make this undesirable land for houses, farms, and business. Follow YRT (Youghiogheny River Trail) signs to riverside park. Run this rapid to the right side and stay away from the rock. We were doing the trip for a workout and to give my son some experience in the bow in a river with some class 1 riffles and some rocks. The whole trip takes 3 to 4 hours. Bike riding White water rafting hiking swimming camping can all be done from the confluence down river to the falls at Ohiopyle and canoeing in the upper portion. Reserve a Tour; Whitewater Rafting . For 6 miles there are no pools, only eddies in which to rest and regroup. The entire Youghiogheny River is a 134-mile (216 km) tributary of the Monongahela River. There are many things to do here. Create your own adventure with White Water Adventurers rentals on the Lower Yough. Youghiogheny Canoe Outfitters Kayaking Pittsburgh. Two weeks earlier, we hiked past a raging Ohiopyle Falls. Estimated rafting time is 4 to 6 hours. The weather was sunny 80 degrees and the river level was 2.42 feet . River levels can change the difficulty of rapids. Raft and Inflatable Kayak Rentals on the Lower Yough. After … Boaters consider Youghiogheny River Lake, with all its 16 mile length and channels up to one-half mile wide, the best power boating and water-skiing lake in southwestern Pennsylvania. The skill level of this tour is 2 on a scale of 1 to 4. Those same qualities make this a very desirable path for canoeists. The water flow is regulated, and its best to check a river flow web page before heading out (see this page for river levels). Call Today: 724-872-7585 226 Collinsburg Road West Newton, PA 15089. There are several reminders of the valleys industrial heritage along the way. It has stretches that cover class 2 to 5 so areas with rapids can be a little rougher than other rivers. guest-paddler, A self-supported trip created by by  River length is 7.5 miles. Just after this rapid is the takeout point at Ohiopyle, just off of route 40. The bottom-release is good for trout, as it ensures cold water year round. The YRT is a section of the Great Allegheny Passage, an improved surface trail that runs from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC. Hazelbaker's Canoe Rentals has been providing canoe, kayak and fishing trips on the Youghiogheny River for over 41 years. We were on the river 2 hours, and took out at the Hazelbaker canoe grounds just before the bridge that leads to Perryopolis. Route 281 actually connects the two towns. Choose from four- to six-person rafts, inflatable single or double kayaks, or PPB for a wonderful, self-guided adventure. The Youghiogheny River has exciting whitewater boating for all experience levels. The river-right bank is still the right of way for an active CSX rail line. The second day you will float back to our base in West Newton. Even if you just rented a raft, we have photos available for you to purchase. I wouldn't want to run it much lower river level. We are conveniently located in Layton, PA, less than 30 … Whitewater rafting trips on the Youghiogheny River. The Youghiogheny River also has water trail maps available that cover two regions. Book Online or Call for reservations and make AdventureTRAC your go-to outfitter this season. Trail Sponsor Friends of the Riverfront: 3 -- Youghiogheny River Water Trail : Northern Section (46 miles) — Connesville to McKeesport There are enough places to hang up or get dumped at low water to keep you focused on navigation. Middle portion of the Youghiogheny. The Youghiogheny (Or Yough as its known locally) has a well-deserved reputation for its whitewater stretches, but today we would be on the less-traveled lower section from Connellsville to Perryopolis. Kayak lessons are only available Monday through Friday. We ran a Mohawk XL 15. We drug a couple of times, but it was very minimum. The most versatile stretch of whitewater on the east coast. Raft, kayak, fishing, and bike rentals. There are enough riffles to keep things moving, and many swift and large fish flashing by just beneath the surface. Every year, over 100,000 people visit Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania to paddle the Youghiogheny River. The tour is offered from April to October. The YRT is a popular place to bicycle, hike, cross country ski, and horseback ride. We ran a Mohawk XL 15. Take a canoe, kayak and float down the scenic Class 1, moving flatwater. This is a good half-day float. On the lower 5, they are all best run in the middle except for the last one, Elephant Rock rapid. 12 is the minimum age of rafters on this tour. Although they weren't checking for them, we still bought ours online. Boaters consider Youghiogheny River Lake, with all of its 16-mile length and channels up to one-half mile wide, the best power boating and water-skiing lake in southwestern Pennsylvania. Check at the launch area or contact the park office for current water levels. 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