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Pennsylvania | North Branch Susquehanna

Susquehanna RiverNorth Branch: Montgomery Park to Shikellamy State Park North

Lower Section 14 Susquehanna day from Montgomery Park in Danville to Shikellamy State Park North. The current 2021 North Branch guide lists this public pair as a favorite 11.2-mile day trip and uses the Danville gauge for same-day planning, while the finish still demands explicit Lake Augusta and Fabridam take-out discipline.

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DistanceAbout 11.2 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 3 hr to 4.5 hr in ordinary conditions
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania.
River contextSusquehanna River in Pennsylvania; card-safe regional context river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by The Mebane Greeting Card Co. via Wikimedia Commons

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This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 11.2 miNorth Branch: Montgomery Park to Shikellamy State Park North
DifficultyeasyThis remains a broad-audience mainstem Susquehanna route in the conservative band, but the 11-mile distance, pooled lower miles, and precise take-out discipline make it more serious than a casual float.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the take-out at Shikellamy State Park North first, then drive back to Montgomery Park. Inspect both carries before launching because the lower miles can feel materially longer when wind, boat wakes, or slower pool current build.
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 PFBC, state-park, municipal, boating, and PFD rules.
CampingOptions nearbyTreat this as a day float. Wray's Riverfront Campground and Fantasy Island Campground are corridor support options, but the route itself should not imply open riverbank camping or a guaranteed mid-route overnight stop.
SeasonApr-OctThe lower Danville-to-Sunbury corridor usually stays accessible through much of the warm season, but Lake Augusta wind, thunderstorms, and faster post-rain current still change the route character quickly.

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 Montgomery Park in Danville and finish at Shikellamy State Park North for a lower Section 14 Susquehanna day. Use the Danville gauge as the official same-section reference, keep the easiest planning days around 2 to 4 feet there, and treat Lake Augusta wind plus Fabridam take-out discipline as the key same-day checks.

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Start

Put-in

Montgomery Park Municipal Access
Open mapDirections to put-in

The current 2021 North Branch guide lists Montgomery Park to Shikellamy North as a favorite public day trip and publishes both endpoint coordinates in the access table.

Finish

Take-out

Shikellamy State Park North Access
Open mapDirections to take-out

Shikellamy State Park North is primarily a canoe and kayak finish near the island. Stay alert for bridge current, motorboats, and other users as you approach.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The current 2021 North Branch guide lists Montgomery Park to Shikellamy North as a favorite public day trip and publishes both endpoint coordinates in the access table.
  • Shikellamy State Park North is primarily a canoe and kayak finish near the island. Stay alert for bridge current, motorboats, and other users as you approach.
  • This route uses Danville as the official same-section gauge reference even though the lower miles flatten into Lake Augusta before the take-out.
  • Keep the finish explicit before launching. The lower river feels forgiving when the current slows, but the wrong drift line can carry you past the intended state-park access zone.

Watch for

  • Danville stages below about 2 ft, when the lower pool gets slower and the route becomes more exposed to wind and shallow rock decisions.
  • Danville stages above about 4 ft, when current speeds up and the lower finish becomes less forgiving for novice groups.
  • Wind and motorboat wakes on Lake Augusta, floating wood, and bridge-approach congestion near the final Shikellamy North take-out.
  • Missing the planned access and continuing downstream toward Sunbury Fabridam, which is not part of this route.

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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Photos

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

The Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania.
Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania; card-safe regional context river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by The Mebane Greeting Card Co. via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: Public domain

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 segmentMontgomery Park to Shikellamy North, about 11.2 mi

    The current 2021 North Branch guide lists Danville Montgomery Park Municipal Access at river mile 136.4 to Shikellamy State Park North Access at river mile 125.2 as a favorite day trip.

    Source

  • Endpoint coordinatesGuide access-table coordinates

    The same guide publishes Montgomery Park Municipal Access at 40.959161, -76.619640 and Shikellamy State Park North Access at 40.880559, -76.789685.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · July 14, 2026USGS 01540500 at Danville

    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

  • Official stage guidanceDanville 2 / 4 / 7 ft

    The current guide lists a 2 ft lower limit, 4 ft good paddling level, and 7 ft upper novice ceiling at Danville for Sections 13 and 14.

    Source

  • Lower-corridor cautionLake Augusta plus Fabridam take-out discipline

    The current guide notes Lake Augusta in the lower corridor and marks Sunbury Fabridam downstream of the Shikellamy access zone, making the planned state-park take-out important.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

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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.

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Quick answers

Susquehanna River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the North Branch: Montgomery Park to Shikellamy State Park North route on the Susquehanna River?

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 North Branch: Montgomery Park to Shikellamy State Park North route on the Susquehanna River start and end?

This route starts at Montgomery Park Municipal Access and ends at Shikellamy State Park North Access, about 11.2 mi on the water.

Is the North Branch: Montgomery Park to Shikellamy State Park North route on the Susquehanna River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a easy 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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