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Pennsylvania | North Branch Susquehanna

Susquehanna RiverNorth Branch: PFBC Bloomsburg to Montgomery Park

Lower North Branch Susquehanna day from the PFBC Bloomsburg ramp to Montgomery Park in Danville. Susquehanna Greenway publishes this public 12.5-mile route directly, and the direct Bloomsburg gauge keeps the corridor in the broad-audience big-river bucket when levels stay below the novice ceiling.

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 12.5 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 3 hr to 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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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 12.5 miNorth Branch: PFBC Bloomsburg to Montgomery Park
DifficultyeasyThis is an easier mainstem Susquehanna route in the conservative band, but the 12.5-mile length, private-island context, and open-water exposure make it more committed than a short park float.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the take-out at Montgomery Park first, then drive back to the PFBC Bloomsburg ramp. Inspect both landings before launching because broad-river mud, ramp traffic, and same-day park conditions can change how easy the shuttle feels.
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, municipal, boating, and PFD rules.
CampingOptions nearbyIndian Head Campground sits along this corridor and can support a legal overnight split if you have a current reservation or permission, but the standard Bloomsburg-to-Montgomery slug should still be planned as a day float.
SeasonApr-OctSusquehanna Greenway and PFBC both frame this lower corridor as broadly runnable through much of the warm season, but broad-river wind, thunderstorms, and flooded treelines still change the same-day feel quickly.

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 the PFBC Bloomsburg ramp and take out at Montgomery Park in Danville for a lower North Branch Susquehanna day. Use the direct Bloomsburg gauge, keep the easiest planning days around 1 to 4 feet there, and expect wind plus private-island discipline to matter more than the easy rating suggests.

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Start

Put-in

PFBC Bloomsburg Access
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Susquehanna Greenway publishes this exact public route and the current 2021 North Branch guide publishes the PFBC Bloomsburg and Montgomery Park coordinates directly in the access table.

Finish

Take-out

Montgomery Park Municipal Access
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The route passes multiple private islands. Susquehanna Greenway says not to stop on the islands even when the water looks inviting or low.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Susquehanna Greenway publishes this exact public route and the current 2021 North Branch guide publishes the PFBC Bloomsburg and Montgomery Park coordinates directly in the access table.
  • The route passes multiple private islands. Susquehanna Greenway says not to stop on the islands even when the water looks inviting or low.
  • Montgomery Park is the intended finish, not just a backup carry. Do not assume the nearby PFBC Danville ramp or private banks make the route interchangeable on the fly.
  • Broad-river wind can erase much of the easy-current feel, especially if you launch late or take a relaxed pace downstream.

Watch for

  • Bloomsburg stages above about 4 to 6 ft, when current gets faster and the longer open-water miles feel less forgiving for novice groups.
  • Headwind, thunderstorms, floating wood, flooded trees after rain, and muddy footing at Montgomery Park after recent high water.
  • Private islands and banks between Bloomsburg and Danville, plus the temptation to treat them as casual lunch or emergency stops.
  • Fishing Creek hazards such as Boone's Dam stay off this main route, but do not mistake side-water or tributary mouths for usable exits.

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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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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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 Bloomsburg, PA
Gauge heightChecking
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Preferred range1.00 ft to 4.00 ft
Low threshold1.00 ft
High threshold6.00 ft
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
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Main source behind this scorePFBC North Branch Susquehanna Section 4 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 segmentPFBC Bloomsburg to Montgomery Park, about 12.5 mi

    Susquehanna Greenway publishes this route as a 12.5-mile Bloomsburg-to-Danville trip from PFBC Bloomsburg Access at river mile 148.8 to Montgomery Park Municipal Access at river mile 136.4.

    Source

  • Endpoint coordinatesGuide access-table coordinates

    The current 2021 North Branch guide publishes PFBC Bloomsburg at 40.996681, -76.432782 and Montgomery Park Municipal Access at 40.959161, -76.619640.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · July 14, 2026USGS 01538700 at Bloomsburg

    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 guidanceBloomsburg 1 / 1-4 / 6 ft novice ceiling

    Susquehanna Greenway recommends this route between 1 and 6 ft at Bloomsburg and 2 and 7 ft at Danville, while PFBC Section 4 says novice paddlers should stay off above about 6 ft at Bloomsburg.

    Source

  • Corridor supportIndian Head Campground and private-island warning

    Susquehanna Greenway says Indian Head Campground sits along the route and warns that the islands on this stretch are privately owned and should not be used as casual stopping points.

    Source

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Quick answers

Susquehanna River paddling FAQ

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

Paddle Today watches Susquehanna River at Bloomsburg, PA and treats 1.00 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: PFBC Bloomsburg to Montgomery Park route on the Susquehanna River start and end?

This route starts at PFBC Bloomsburg Access and ends at Montgomery Park Municipal Access, about 12.5 mi on the water.

Is the North Branch: PFBC Bloomsburg to Montgomery 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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