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Pennsylvania | North Branch Susquehanna

Susquehanna RiverNorth Branch: Ulster Bridge to Wysox Township Park

Eleven-mile upper North Branch day from the current Ulster Bridge Municipal Access carry-in to Wysox Township Park. The 2021 guide lists this as a favorite day trip and identifies the updated municipal access; the route uses the direct Towanda gauge and preserves PFBC caution-mile guidance.

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 11.3 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 3.5 hr to 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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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 11.3 miNorth Branch: Ulster Bridge to Wysox Township Park
DifficultyeasyThis remains broad-audience river mileage in the conservative band, but the bridge-current line near Towanda, the strainer-prone riffle zone, and the 11.3-mile length keep it above a casual float.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the take-out at Wysox Township Park first, then drive back to Ulster Bridge Municipal Access. Inspect both accesses before launching because broad-river mud, storm cleanup, bridge-current push, or local activity can change the practical carry and landing line.
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, township-park, municipal, boating, and PFD rules.
CampingOptions nearbyLarnard Hornbrook County Park and Riverside Acres Campground both sit on this official corridor and can support legal overnight use with current site rules or reservations. Treat that as on-route camping support rather than permission to stop on undeveloped banks.
SeasonApr-OctPFBC says the North Branch in this corridor often stays paddleable in lower summer water, but the wide channel still reacts quickly to thunderstorms, wood, and headwind.

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 Ulster Bridge Municipal Access and take out at Wysox Township Park for a route that carries you through the Towanda bridge corridor. Use the direct Towanda stage gauge, keep the easiest planning days around 2 to 4 feet there, and treat the mile-274 strainer and bridge-current sequence as real same-day hazards.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Ulster Bridge Municipal Access (carry-in)
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The 2021 North Branch access table identifies Ulster Bridge Municipal Access at 41.849146, -76.497242 as a carry-in launch with parking nearby; use this current municipal point, not the older private-gravel site.

Finish

Take-out

Wysox Township Park access
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This route includes the Towanda bridge area and its current lines, so do not relax just because the river looks broad and mostly open.

Road shuttle

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Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The 2021 North Branch access table identifies Ulster Bridge Municipal Access at 41.849146, -76.497242 as a carry-in launch with parking nearby; use this current municipal point, not the older private-gravel site.
  • This route includes the Towanda bridge area and its current lines, so do not relax just because the river looks broad and mostly open.
  • Wysox Township Park is a stronger park finish with parking and amenities, but it still requires a committed finish discipline rather than ad hoc take-outs on islands or private banks.
  • Hornbrook Park and Riverside Acres are helpful legal support on the corridor, but the slug itself still starts at Ulster and ends at Wysox Township Park.

Watch for

  • Fast riffles at mile 277, the strainer-prone mile-274 area, fast current under bridge arches at mile 272, and more quick water at miles 270, 269, and 268 flagged by PFBC.
  • Towanda stages below about 1 foot, when the bridge-adjacent riffles and shallower lines get more technical and scratchy.
  • Towanda stages above about 4 feet, when current speeds up and mistakes near structure cost more time; PFBC says novice paddlers should stay off above about 5 feet.
  • Headwind, thunderstorms, floating wood, private shorelines, and missing the obvious Wysox finish after the bridge sequence is behind you.

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Conditions

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Gauge detail

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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.

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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
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Rain last 24hChecking
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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
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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 segmentUlster Bridge to Wysox Township Park, 11.3 mi

    The 2021 North Branch Susquehanna guide lists Ulster Bridge Municipal Access 278.8 to Wysox Township Park Municipal Access 267.5 as a favorite day trip.

    Source

  • Endpoint coordinates2021 North Branch municipal access coordinate

    The 2021 access table lists Ulster Bridge Municipal Access at 41.849146, -76.497242 (river mile 278.8; carry-in; parking nearby). The older 2008 PFBC coordinate at 41.8525, -76.497222 is a separate Gravel Private point.

    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 cautionsFast riffles near miles 277, 274, 272, 270, 269, and 268

    The PFBC Section 1 caution list flags the upper quick-water sequence and the Towanda bridge approach that remain the decisive same-day hazards on this route.

    Source

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Quick answers

Susquehanna River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the North Branch: Ulster Bridge to Wysox Township 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: Ulster Bridge to Wysox Township Park route on the Susquehanna River start and end?

This route starts at Ulster Bridge Municipal Access (carry-in) and ends at Wysox Township Park access, about 11.3 mi on the water.

Is the North Branch: Ulster Bridge to Wysox Township 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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