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Pennsylvania | North Branch Susquehanna

Susquehanna RiverNorth Branch: Larnard Hornbrook Park to Towanda Riverfront Park

Short Bradford County North Branch day from Larnard Hornbrook Park to Towanda Riverfront Park. The official PFBC Section 1 guide publishes both access coordinates, flags the mile-274 strainer area and the fast riffles before Towanda, and ties the route directly to the Towanda gauge.

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 5 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 1.5 hr to 3 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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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 5 miNorth Branch: Larnard Hornbrook Park to Towanda Riverfront Park
DifficultyeasyThis is a shorter big-river day in the conservative band, but the strainer-prone riffle zone and the Towanda bridge/current finish still require active same-day judgment.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the take-out at Towanda Riverfront Park first, then drive back to Larnard Hornbrook Park. Inspect both accesses before launching because mud, bridge-current push, storm cleanup, or local park activity can change the practical landing angle.
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, county-park, borough, boating, and PFD rules.
CampingDay tripTreat this as a day trip. Hornbrook Park can support a nearby basecamp-style stay, but the route should not imply open riverbank camping between the named accesses.
SeasonApr-OctPFBC says this upper North Branch corridor usually stays paddleable through warm-season low water, but wide-channel wind, thunderstorms, and floating wood still change the same-day feel 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 Larnard Hornbrook Park and take out at Towanda Riverfront Park for a short upper-Bradford-County Susquehanna day. Use the direct Towanda stage gauge, keep the easiest planning days around 2 to 4 feet there, and keep the mile-274 strainer area plus the Towanda bridge riffles on the same-day checklist.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Larnard Hornbrook Park ramp
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PFBC Section 1 publishes both Larnard Hornbrook Park and Towanda Riverfront Park coordinates directly in the official access table.

Finish

Take-out

Towanda Riverfront Park ramp
Open mapDirections to take-out

Hornbrook is a park access rather than a huge ramp complex. Confirm same-day footing, parking, and launch angle before leaving the shuttle vehicle.

Road shuttle

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Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • PFBC Section 1 publishes both Larnard Hornbrook Park and Towanda Riverfront Park coordinates directly in the official access table.
  • Hornbrook is a park access rather than a huge ramp complex. Confirm same-day footing, parking, and launch angle before leaving the shuttle vehicle.
  • Towanda is a stronger town landing, but bridge current and riverfront activity can still complicate the finish if you arrive tired or in rising water.
  • Stay within the named public accesses and do not assume islands, bars, or private banks are legitimate substitutes.

Watch for

  • Fast riffles with a strainer in the mile-274 area and fast riffles before the bridge at mile 270 flagged by PFBC.
  • Towanda stages below about 0 to 1 foot, when the broad channel gets scratchier and more technical around shallow riffle lines.
  • Towanda stages above about 4 feet, when current speeds up noticeably; PFBC says novice paddlers should stay off above about 5 feet.
  • Headwind, thunderstorms, floating wood, private shorelines, and the risk of drifting past the obvious Towanda take-out near the bridge corridor.

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Conditions

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Gauge detail

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Photos

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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

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 siteSusquehanna River at Towanda, PA
Gauge heightChecking
DischargeChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
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Rain last 24hChecking
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Air tempChecking
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WindChecking
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Preferred range2.00 ft to 4.00 ft
Low threshold-0.50 ft
High threshold5.00 ft
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scorePFBC North Branch Susquehanna Section 1 Towanda stage guidance
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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 route segmentLarnard Hornbrook Park to Towanda Riverfront Park, about 5 mi

    The PFBC North Branch Section 1 guide places Larnard Hornbrook Park at river mile 275 and Towanda Riverfront Park at river mile 270.

    Source

  • Endpoint coordinatesPFBC access-site coordinates

    The PFBC Section 1 access table publishes Larnard Hornbrook Park at 41 48 34 / -76 29 10 and Towanda Riverfront Park at 41 46 07 / -76 26 19.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · July 14, 2026USGS 01531500 at Towanda

    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 guidanceTowanda -0.5 ft low runnable, 2 ft safe base, 5 ft novice ceiling

    PFBC says the river can be paddled with Towanda as low as about -0.5 ft, uses 2 ft as the safe paddle base level, and says novice paddlers should not paddle when Towanda is over 5 ft.

    Source

  • Primary cautionsMile-274 strainer area and fast riffles before Towanda bridge

    The PFBC Section 1 caution list flags fast riffles with a strainer in the mile-274 area and fast riffles before the bridge at mile 270 inside this route.

    Source

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Quick answers

Susquehanna River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the North Branch: Larnard Hornbrook Park to Towanda Riverfront Park route on the Susquehanna River?

Paddle Today watches Susquehanna River at Towanda, PA and treats 2.00 ft to 4.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the North Branch: Larnard Hornbrook Park to Towanda Riverfront Park route on the Susquehanna River start and end?

This route starts at Larnard Hornbrook Park ramp and ends at Towanda Riverfront Park ramp, about 5 mi on the water.

Is the North Branch: Larnard Hornbrook Park to Towanda Riverfront Park route on the Susquehanna River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.

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