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Pennsylvania | North Branch Susquehanna

Susquehanna RiverNorth Branch: Riverside Borough to Shikellamy State Park North

Moderate lower North Branch Susquehanna day from Riverside Borough Access to Shikellamy State Park North. Susquehanna Greenway publishes this exact 10.2-mile public route with route-specific hazard notes, and the Danville gauge gives it an official same-section water-level check.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 10.2 mi
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 5.5 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 10.2 miNorth Branch: Riverside Borough to Shikellamy State Park North
DifficultymoderateSusquehanna Greenway marks this route moderate. The mileage is reasonable, but the island-and-stone decisions in low water, the pooled lower miles, and the busy state-park finish keep it above the easy bucket.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the take-out at Shikellamy State Park North first, then drive back to Riverside Borough Access. The Riverside launch has only brief unload space, so inspect both parking plans before committing to the shuttle.
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, borough, boating, and PFD rules.
CampingDay tripTreat this as a day trip. The Susquehanna Greenway route page points paddlers toward nearby Danville and Shikellamy-area services, but it does not advertise camping as part of the route plan.
SeasonApr-OctThis lower route is broad and often paddleable through much of the warm season, but low water exposes ledges and stones while Lake Augusta wind and motorized traffic make the finish feel bigger than the map suggests.

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 Riverside Borough Access and finish at Shikellamy State Park North for a moderate lower North Branch day. Use the Danville gauge as the official route reference, keep the same-day call conservative near the 2 ft floor, and watch the lower islands, Packers Island split, and busy Shikellamy finish closely.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Riverside Borough Access
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Susquehanna Greenway publishes this exact public route and says the Riverside launch is a carry-in with timed unloading before you move vehicles to the designated pull-off.

Finish

Take-out

Shikellamy State Park North Access
Open mapDirections to take-out

The launch slope can be muddy or slippery, especially after rain or when the concrete slab does not stay fully in the water.

Road shuttle

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Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Susquehanna Greenway publishes this exact public route and says the Riverside launch is a carry-in with timed unloading before you move vehicles to the designated pull-off.
  • The launch slope can be muddy or slippery, especially after rain or when the concrete slab does not stay fully in the water.
  • Shikellamy State Park North is primarily for kayaks and canoes. Stay cautious around motorized traffic near the island and the final bridge approach.
  • A state launch permit is required at the Shikellamy take-out, and the intended finish is upstream of Sunbury Fabridam.

Watch for

  • Island banks, ledges, and stones in low water, especially near river mile 133 and again near Packers Island in the lower miles.
  • Motorized boat traffic and wind on seasonal Lake Augusta, which can flatten the current advantage and make the final miles feel longer.
  • The lower split around Packers Island; keep right where the route page says to avoid wrong turns and extra shallow-water problems.
  • Missing the Shikellamy North take-out and continuing downstream toward Sunbury Fabridam.

Plan this paddle

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Trip schedule

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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 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 segmentRiverside Borough to Shikellamy North, about 10.2 mi

    Susquehanna Greenway publishes this exact route at 10.2 miles from Riverside Municipal Access at river mile 135.3 to Shikellamy State Park North Access at river mile 125.1.

    Source

  • Endpoint coordinatesGuide access-table coordinates

    The current 2021 North Branch guide publishes Riverside Borough Access at 40.962389, -76.633444 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

  • Route-specific hazardsIsland banks and stones in low water

    Susquehanna Greenway says ledges, island banks, and stones become the key low-water issues as you approach the lower islands, Packers Island, and the Shikellamy finish.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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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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Nearby routes within 75 miles

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Quick answers

Susquehanna River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the North Branch: Riverside Borough 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: Riverside Borough to Shikellamy State Park North route on the Susquehanna River start and end?

This route starts at Riverside Borough Access and ends at Shikellamy State Park North Access, about 10.2 mi on the water.

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

This is listed as a moderate 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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