Paddle TodayFind the best paddle near you today

Live score, water level, and weather.

Pennsylvania | Laurel Highlands

Laurel Hill CreekLaurel Hill State Park Beach Area to King's Covered Bridge

A six-mile Laurel Hill Creek water trail from the named canoe/kayak launch in Laurel Hill State Park's Beach Area to the improved take-out at historic King's Covered Bridge. Pennsylvania DCNR names the water trail and both access contexts; the downstream USGS Ursina gauge is used conservatively with a station-specific 2.2 ft minimum from CanoeDraft.

Route location

Loading the route map.

Open access map

Plan this route

DistanceAbout 6 mi
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 3 to 5 hr in ordinary conditions
ShuttleCar shuttle
A clear Pennsylvania stream runs through a wooded state-park corridor.
River contextPennsylvania stream corridor; regional context only, not the Laurel Hill Creek reach — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Good Free Photos

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
View Primary Source
Embed this route

Route alerts

Email me when this route improves

We'll email you when this route climbs into Good or Strong. Every email includes an unsubscribe link.

We only email on a new threshold crossing.

Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 6 miLaurel Hill State Park Beach Area to King's Covered Bridge
DifficultymoderateThe named six-mile trail is not presented as whitewater, but the narrow creek, shallow sections, wood, cold water, and downstream proxy gauge make this a moderate route requiring competent boat control and a current visual check.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the King's Covered Bridge take-out first, then use the state park directions to reach the Beach Area launch. Confirm seasonal parking, launch, and take-out conditions before starting.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current Pennsylvania boat registration, state-park launch-permit, PFBC launch-permit, and posted access rules for non-powered boats.
CampingOptions nearbyLaurel Hill State Park provides managed camping near the launch; use only reserved legal campsites or nearby lodging and never camp on creek banks or private property.
SeasonApr-OctThe state park water trail is a warm-season route, but spring-fed water remains cold and rainfall can change a narrow creek quickly. Confirm park opening, access, and current gauge conditions immediately before launch.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

Waiting on forecast.

Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A named six-mile Laurel Hill Creek water trail with a state-park Beach Area launch and improved King's Covered Bridge take-out.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

End of map
Start

Put-in

Laurel Hill State Park Beach Area canoe/kayak launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

The Beach Area coordinate is the official park GPS anchor, not a survey of the exact hand-carry launch; follow park signs to the launch.

Finish

Take-out

King's Covered Bridge improved take-out
Open mapDirections to take-out

Use the improved King's Covered Bridge take-out and do not improvise on private banks or bridge shoulders.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The Beach Area coordinate is the official park GPS anchor, not a survey of the exact hand-carry launch; follow park signs to the launch.
  • Use the improved King's Covered Bridge take-out and do not improvise on private banks or bridge shoulders.
  • The Ursina gauge is downstream; inspect actual water, wood, and current at launch before committing.

Watch for

  • Shallow riffles below the 2.2 ft proxy floor
  • Strainers and fresh wood after rain
  • Cold water and fast changes
  • Bridge approaches and private banks
  • Seasonal park access or closure notices

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.

Browser plans

Browser plans stay on this device. Sharing opens your device’s share tools or gives you text to copy.

Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.

Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

Checking preferred range.

Checking trend.

------------

Weather

Hourly forecast

Checking weather.

Loading today's forecast.

Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

Checking the next several hours.

Checking the best short-route window.
----Loading--

Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

A clear Pennsylvania stream runs through a wooded state-park corridor.
Pennsylvania stream corridor; regional context only, not the Laurel Hill Creek reach — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Good Free Photos
CC0 / public domain; regional context only

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.

  • Official route and endpoint namesBeach Area launch to King's Covered Bridge, six miles

    Pennsylvania DCNR names the additional canoe/kayak launch in Beach Area and says it is part of a six-mile water trail ending at an improved take-out at historic King's Covered Bridge.

    Source

  • King's Bridge coordinates39.937500, -79.271111

    The USGS Water Quality Portal identifies the named Laurel Hill Creek at King's Bridge site and reports mapping-grade GPS coordinates at the bridge.

    Source

  • Live same-creek gaugeUSGS 03080000 at Ursina, PA

    The product uses the live Ursina stage gauge as a downstream same-creek proxy rather than implying that the gauge is at either route endpoint.

    Source

  • Conservative minimum2.2 ft minimum-only

    CanoeDraft maps the Laurel Hill State Park to Whipkey Dam run to USGS 03080000 and identifies 2.2 ft as the minimum; PaddleToday applies it conservatively to this shorter upstream trail and does not claim an ideal/high band.

    Source

  • Park access and permitsBeach Area launch; state-park/PFBC permits apply

    DCNR says the Beach Area has a canoe/kayak launch and lists the registration and launch-permit options for non-powered boats.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

Paddler reports

See recent photos and notes from people on the route.

Share your trip

Help build the route page

Add photos or send a quick condition report.

Photos

Upload route photos

Add access, hazard, or on-water photos.

No files selected yet.

Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Pennsylvania

All 58 routes
Pennsylvania route guideBrowse every tracked Pennsylvania route.Laurel HighlandsJump to routes in this region.

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Youghiogheny RiverMiddle Yough: Ramcat Launch to Ohiopyle Middle Yough Take-out · about 15 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 9.5 river milesLoyalhanna CreekLigonier Nature Trail to Kingston · about 16 straight-line mi awayHard · About 7 river miYoughiogheny RiverLower Yough: Ohiopyle to Bruner Run · about 17 straight-line mi awayHard · About 7 to 7.2 miYoughiogheny RiverConnellsville River Park to River Road, Dawson · about 20 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 5.4 river miles

Quick answers

Laurel Hill Creek paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Laurel Hill State Park Beach Area to King's Covered Bridge route on the Laurel Hill 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 Laurel Hill State Park Beach Area to King's Covered Bridge route on the Laurel Hill Creek start and end?

This route starts at Laurel Hill State Park Beach Area canoe/kayak launch and ends at King's Covered Bridge improved take-out, about 6 mi on the water.

Is the Laurel Hill State Park Beach Area to King's Covered Bridge route on the Laurel Hill Creek suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

Flag a change

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.

Report a changeEmail update