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Pennsylvania | Pocono Mountains

Lehigh RiverRockport to Glen Onoko

Lower Lehigh Gorge whitewater from the DCNR Rockport access to Glen Onoko. DCNR names this 12.2-mile Class II-III trip, publishes official flow bands, and points paddlers to the same USGS/USACE White Haven flow story below Francis E. Walter Dam.

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 12.2 mi
DifficultyHard
Typical timeAbout 4 hr to 6.5 hr for qualified whitewater groups
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Lehigh River near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Gorge corridor.
River contextLehigh River near Jim Thorpe; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Seth Werkheiser via Wikimedia Commons

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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 12.2 miRockport to Glen Onoko
DifficultyhardDCNR describes this Lehigh Gorge section as Class II-III whitewater through a steep-walled gorge. Inexperienced boaters should use qualified guides, and all private groups need whitewater craft, PFDs, helmets for canoe/kayak paddlers, and conservative release-day planning.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the take-out at Glen Onoko, then drive back to Rockport. DCNR says release days can change parking and traffic patterns at White Haven, Rockport, and Glen Onoko, so confirm current Lehigh Gorge State Park alerts, posted signs, and access routing before leaving vehicles.
PermitsCheck posted rulesPFBC says unpowered boats using PFBC or Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests access areas need boat registration, a PFBC launch permit, or a DCNR State Parks launch permit. Follow current DCNR/PFBC rules, posted Lehigh Gorge access rules, and whitewater equipment requirements.
CampingOptions nearbyTreat this as a managed daylight state-park whitewater day. Do not camp, stage, or park outside posted Lehigh Gorge State Park areas, and leave enough daylight for the shuttle and any release-day traffic delays.
SeasonApr-OctUSACE Francis E. Walter Dam releases for fishing and recreational whitewater occur spring through fall, and DCNR says release days can change parking and traffic patterns at White Haven, Rockport, and Glen Onoko. Tributary rain, cold spring and fall water, and release timing still require same-day judgment.

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

Launch at Rockport and take out at Glen Onoko for the lower Lehigh Gorge whitewater section. Use the USGS White Haven outflow gauge below Francis E. Walter Reservoir and DCNR flow bands, and skip the route when water, weather, access status, or group skill is not clearly right.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Rockport Access Area
Open mapDirections to put-in

DCNR says private boaters must put on and take off only at designated Lehigh River access areas in the state park.

Finish

Take-out

Glen Onoko Access Area
Open mapDirections to take-out

Rockport and Glen Onoko can both see parking and traffic changes on release weekends. Use current DCNR signs rather than stale directions.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • DCNR says private boaters must put on and take off only at designated Lehigh River access areas in the state park.
  • Rockport and Glen Onoko can both see parking and traffic changes on release weekends. Use current DCNR signs rather than stale directions.
  • Glen Onoko GPS context is cross-checked to 40.8835, -75.75914 because the current state-park page appears to publish the correct longitude with a northing typo in the latitude.
  • This is a whitewater route. DCNR says inexperienced boaters should not attempt the Lehigh River without qualified guides.
  • Release weekends can be crowded with commercial rafts, clubs, private boaters, cyclists, and shuttle traffic.

Watch for

  • Class II-III rapids, ledges, rock outcrops, boulders, waterfalls, swift current, and cold-water swims in a steep-walled gorge.
  • Very low water below about 250 cfs, when DCNR says many parts are not deep enough for boating.
  • Flows above 1,000 cfs, when DCNR says difficulty progressively increases and better skill and equipment are needed.
  • Flows above 5,000 cfs, which DCNR reserves for expert boaters in kayaks, closed canoes, or very large rafts.
  • Dam-release timing, tributary rain, rising water, wood, strainer hazards, limited exits, release-day traffic changes, and missing the Glen Onoko take-out.

Plan this paddle

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Route gallery

Photos

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

The Lehigh River near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Gorge corridor.
Lehigh River near Jim Thorpe; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Seth Werkheiser via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: CC BY-SA 2.0

Score & sources

Why this score

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Data status
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Why this scoreData reliability: checking

This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.

Why
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteLehigh River below Francis E. Walter Reservoir near White Haven, PA
DischargeChecking
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Rain last 24hChecking
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Preferred range250 cfs to 1,000 cfs
Low threshold250 cfs
High threshold5,000 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scorePA DCNR Lehigh Gorge State Park flow rates
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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 routeRockport to Glen Onoko, 12.2 miles

    DCNR lists Rockport to Glen Onoko as a 12.2-mile private-trip option in Lehigh Gorge State Park, where boating is limited to designated access areas.

    Source

  • Access GPSRockport 40.9667, -75.7551 and Glen Onoko 40.8835, -75.75914

    The current DCNR park page publishes Rockport GPS directly, and Glen Onoko is cross-checked to the long-used 40.8835, -75.75914 public park-access coordinate because the current DCNR page appears to carry a latitude typo.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-16USGS 01447800 at White Haven outflow

    This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.

    Source

  • DCNR flow bands250 / 250-1,000 / 5,000 cfs

    DCNR says flows below 250 cfs are very low and many parts are not deep enough for boating, 250 to 1,000 cfs becomes better for boating, difficulty rises above 1,000 cfs, and above 5,000 cfs is expert-only water.

    Source

  • Core hazardsClass II-III gorge whitewater

    DCNR highlights Class II-III whitewater, deep steep-walled gorge terrain, rock outcroppings, waterfalls, changing release traffic, whitewater craft rules, PFD requirements, helmets for canoes and kayaks, and cold-water gear recommendations for spring and fall.

    Source

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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

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Pennsylvania route guideBrowse every tracked Pennsylvania route.Pocono MountainsJump to routes in this region.

More on Lehigh River

All 3
White Haven to Glen OnokoPocono MountainsHard · About 20.9 miWhite Haven to RockportPocono MountainsHard · About 8.7 mi

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Susquehanna RiverNorth Branch: Wetlands Nature Area to PFBC Bloomsburg · about 21 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 17 miSusquehanna RiverNorth Branch: Canal Park to Test Track Park · about 22 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 22 mi for the full corridor; choose a shorter segment in the access plannerSusquehanna RiverNorth Branch: Test Track Park to PFBC Danville · about 27 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 20 mi for the full corridor; choose a shorter segment in the access plannerSusquehanna RiverNorth Branch: Test Track Park to Indian Head Campground · about 27 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 12 mi

Quick answers

Lehigh River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Rockport to Glen Onoko route on the Lehigh River?

Paddle Today watches Lehigh River below Francis E. Walter Reservoir near White Haven, PA and treats 250 cfs to 1,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Rockport to Glen Onoko route on the Lehigh River start and end?

This route starts at Rockport Access Area and ends at Glen Onoko Access Area, about 12.2 mi on the water.

Is the Rockport to Glen Onoko route on the Lehigh River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.

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