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Pennsylvania | North Branch Susquehanna

Susquehanna RiverNorth Branch: Towanda Riverfront Park to Terrytown PFBC

Sixteen-mile North Branch Susquehanna day from Towanda Riverfront Park to the Terrytown PFBC ramp. The official PFBC Section 1 guide publishes both access coordinates, marks the quick riffle miles in this reach, and gives direct Towanda stage guidance for low-water, planning-band, and novice high-water calls.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 16 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 5 hr to 7.5 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 16 miNorth Branch: Towanda Riverfront Park to Terrytown PFBC
DifficultyeasyThe route stays in the broad-audience day-trip bucket when Towanda is in the conservative band, but the 16-mile length, quick riffle miles, and changing wind/current are still real trip-planning factors.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the take-out at Terrytown PFBC first, then drive back to Towanda Riverfront Park. Inspect both landings before launching because broad-river mud, event traffic, flood cleanup, or local maintenance can change how straightforward the carry 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, borough, boating, and PFD rules.
CampingOptions nearbyTreat this as a day float. Riverside Acres Campground is listed in the PFBC Section 1 corridor and can support a nearby basecamp stay, but the route itself should not imply open riverbank camping.
SeasonApr-OctPFBC says the North Branch in this corridor often remains paddleable in summer low-water periods, but the channel speeds up after rain and wide-open wind can dominate the day.

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 Towanda Riverfront Park and take out at Terrytown PFBC for a mid-corridor North Branch day. Use the direct Towanda stage gauge, keep the easiest planning days around 2 to 4 feet, and scout the fast-riffle miles downstream of Towanda before committing.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

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

Finish

Take-out

Terrytown PFBC ramp
Open mapDirections to take-out

This route starts at a stronger town access but still finishes at a gravel PFBC landing. Confirm same-day footing, parking, and any local closures at both ends.

Road shuttle

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Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • PFBC Section 1 publishes both Towanda Riverfront Park and Terrytown PFBC coordinates directly in the official access table.
  • This route starts at a stronger town access but still finishes at a gravel PFBC landing. Confirm same-day footing, parking, and any local closures at both ends.
  • PFBC treats 15 to 18 miles around the 2-foot Towanda level as more of an experienced-paddler day distance. Do not underrate the time commitment just because the river is broad and mostly open.
  • Stay within the named public accesses and do not assume mid-route bars, islands, or informal pull-offs are legitimate take-out substitutes.

Watch for

  • Fast riffles before the bridge at mile 270, then more fast current at miles 269 and 268 flagged by PFBC.
  • Towanda stages below about 1 foot, when the lower riverbed funnels current and can create class I to II style wave trains in shallow spots.
  • Towanda stages above about 4 feet, when the corridor moves faster and small mistakes at the end of a long day cost more time; PFBC says novice paddlers should stay off above about 5 feet.
  • Headwind, thunderstorms, floating wood, private shorelines, and missing the Terrytown PFBC take-out after relaxing into the long flatwater rhythm.

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

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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
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
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 segmentTowanda Riverfront Park to Terrytown PFBC, about 16 mi

    The PFBC North Branch Section 1 guide places Towanda Riverfront Park at river mile 270 and Terrytown PFBC at river mile 254.

    Source

  • Endpoint coordinatesPFBC access-site coordinates

    The PFBC Section 1 access table publishes Towanda Riverfront Park at 41 46 07 / -76 26 19 and Terrytown PFBC at 41 42 51 / -76 16 54.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-13USGS 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 cautionsFast riffles around miles 270, 269, and 268

    The PFBC Section 1 caution list flags fast riffles before the bridge at mile 270, then more fast current at miles 269 and 268 inside this route.

    Source

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Keep exploring

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More in Pennsylvania

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Chemung RiverToll Bridge Park to White Wagon Boat Launch · about 23 straight-line mi awayModerate · 11.45 river milesOwego CreekOwego Creek Canal Street hand launch to lower Owego Creek turnaround · about 24 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 3.5 river miles round tripChemung RiverElmira Chemung River public access area to White Wagon Park, Chemung · about 28 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 12.5 planning river miles by current endpoint geometry from the Elmira public access area to White Wagon Park in Chemung; the route source labels the section 10 milesCatatonk CreekCandor to Owego · about 33 straight-line mi awayModerate · 11.7 river miles from the Candor access area to the Owego Creek access area

Quick answers

Susquehanna River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the North Branch: Towanda Riverfront Park to Terrytown PFBC 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: Towanda Riverfront Park to Terrytown PFBC route on the Susquehanna River start and end?

This route starts at Towanda Riverfront Park ramp and ends at Terrytown PFBC ramp, about 16 mi on the water.

Is the North Branch: Towanda Riverfront Park to Terrytown PFBC 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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