Pennsylvania | Indiana County
Blacklick CreekPA 259 Heshbon to Saylor Park
A 6.8-mile Class II-III(IV) Blacklick Creek reach from the Ghost Town Trail access near the PA 259 bridge at Heshbon to the Saylor Park/Blacklick take-out. American Whitewater ties the named corridor directly to USGS 03042000 and documents the access, rapids, portage options, and current hazards.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Technical Blacklick Creek day run with documented Heshbon access, Saylor Park finish, and conservative flow guidance.
Access map
Put-in
Ghost Town Trail Heshbon access near PA 259 bridgeVerify the Heshbon gate, carry, parking, and Saylor Park creek-side access before launch.
Take-out
Saylor Park / Blacklick take-outDo not use private mine property or unlisted banks.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Verify the Heshbon gate, carry, parking, and Saylor Park creek-side access before launch.
- Do not use private mine property or unlisted banks.
Watch for
- Auld's Run
- Jacks Rock and wood
- strainers
- mine-influenced tributaries
- cold water
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.
USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Blacklick Creek at Josephine, PA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
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Route gallery
Photos
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Sources
Data and sources
Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Direct route and gaugePA 259 Heshbon to Saylor Park; USGS 03042000
American Whitewater names this 6.8-mile reach, rates it Class II-III(IV), and ties it directly to Blacklick Creek at Josephine.
- Public endpoint supportGhost Town Trail Heshbon access and Saylor Park/Blacklick finish
AW documents the Heshbon access and Saylor Park take-out; the Heshbon access location is corroborated by the regional trail waymark and the Saylor Park coordinate by the Ohio River Trail Council and DEP watershed records.
- Threshold and live conditionsConservative minimum-only planning guidance: 780 cfs; good level around 1,000 cfs
AW trip reports identify approximately 780 cfs as close to a minimum fun level and 1,000 cfs as a good level. The product uses these community references conservatively and requires current USGS discharge plus visual inspection.
- Hazards and corridor conditionTechnical ledges, wood, mine legacy, and rapidly changing conditions
AW documents Auld's Run, Jacks Rock, undercut/wood hazards, and changing access; the watershed association documents acid-mine-drainage history and difficult lower access.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
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Quick answers
Blacklick Creek paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the PA 259 Heshbon to Saylor Park route on the Blacklick Creek?
This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.
Where does the PA 259 Heshbon to Saylor Park route on the Blacklick Creek start and end?
This route starts at Ghost Town Trail Heshbon access near PA 259 bridge and ends at Saylor Park / Blacklick take-out, Approximately 6.8 river miles on the water.
Is the PA 259 Heshbon to Saylor Park route on the Blacklick Creek suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a hard route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.
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