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Pennsylvania | Pocono Mountains

Lehigh RiverWhite Haven to Glen Onoko

Full Lehigh Gorge whitewater from the DCNR White Haven access to Glen Onoko. DCNR names this 20.9-mile Class II-III trip, warns that raft trips can take 10 to 12 hours at lower water, and publishes official flow bands tied to the White Haven gauge family.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 20.9 mi
DifficultyHard
Typical timeAbout 7 hr to 12 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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Why this call
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 20.9 miWhite Haven to Glen Onoko
DifficultyhardDCNR describes this full Lehigh Gorge run as Class II-III whitewater through a steep-walled gorge. The full-corridor length, release traffic, and cold-water consequence make it a major day even for qualified private groups.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the take-out at Glen Onoko, then drive back to White Haven. 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 an all-day managed state-park whitewater trip. DCNR specifically warns the White Haven to Glen Onoko raft trip can take 10 to 12 hours at lower water levels, so build in daylight rather than assuming a midpoint overnight option.
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

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

Launch at White Haven and take out at Glen Onoko for the full Lehigh Gorge whitewater corridor. Use the USGS White Haven outflow gauge below Francis E. Walter Reservoir and DCNR flow bands, and make a hard same-day call on water, weather, release timing, and total daylight before committing.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

White Haven South 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

The published White Haven South Access GPS is an official access-area point; the exact hand-carry launch toe is not separately georeferenced. Follow current park signs to the designated launch.

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.
  • The published White Haven South Access GPS is an official access-area point; the exact hand-carry launch toe is not separately georeferenced. Follow current park signs to the designated launch.
  • This full-corridor route combines the White Haven-to-Rockport and Rockport-to-Glen-Onoko sections into one long commitment that should not be treated as a casual default trip.
  • 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 and the full route can stretch toward a 10-12 hour day.
  • 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, fatigue, and missing the Glen Onoko take-out after a long day.

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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Photos

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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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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
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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 routeWhite Haven to Glen Onoko, 20.9 miles

    DCNR lists White Haven to Glen Onoko as a 20.9-mile private-trip option in Lehigh Gorge State Park and says the raft trip may take 10 to 12 hours at lower water levels.

    Source

  • Access GPSWhite Haven 41.055270, -75.771581 and Glen Onoko 40.8835, -75.75914

    The current DCNR park page publishes White Haven South Access 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 over a full-day commitment

    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 the long-day timing risk at lower water.

    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
Rockport to Glen OnokoPocono MountainsHard · About 12.2 miWhite Haven to RockportPocono MountainsHard · About 8.7 mi

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Susquehanna RiverNorth Branch: Canal Park to Test Track Park · about 17 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 22 mi for the full corridor; choose a shorter segment in the access plannerSusquehanna RiverNorth Branch: Wetlands Nature Area to PFBC Bloomsburg · about 19 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 17 miSusquehanna RiverNorth Branch: Test Track Park to PFBC Danville · about 26 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 26 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 12 mi

Quick answers

Lehigh River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the White Haven 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 White Haven to Glen Onoko route on the Lehigh River start and end?

This route starts at White Haven South Access Area and ends at Glen Onoko Access Area, about 20.9 mi on the water.

Is the White Haven 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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