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Pennsylvania | South Central Pennsylvania

Yellow Breeches CreekMcCormick Park to Liberty Forge

Short Yellow Breeches middle segment from McCormick Park to the public Liberty Forge bridge access. Cumberland County still documents the access pair, the bridge-side public-use terms at Liberty Forge, and the same Camp Hill gauge guidance used for the whole trail.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 4.1–4.4 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 1 hr 45 min to 3 hr depending on depth
ShuttleCar shuttle
An angler stands in the clear, shaded water of Yellow Breeches Creek at Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania.
River contextYellow Breeches Creek at Boiling Springs river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Staecker

Need to know

Why this call
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 4.1–4.4 miMcCormick Park to Liberty Forge
DifficultyeasyThe route is short and approachable at normal summer levels, but low water, fresh wood, or a sloppy Liberty Forge finish can make it feel less casual than the mileage suggests.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the take-out at Liberty Forge before driving back to McCormick Park. Inspect the Old Forge Road bridge-access area first because parking is limited and same-day resort activity can affect the simplest finish.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known for this park-to-bridge segment. Follow current township, boating, and PFD rules, and obey any posted public-access instructions at Liberty Forge.
CampingOptions nearbyLower Allen Community Park sits on this official corridor and offers camping by reservation, but it is an on-route support option rather than part of the normal route finish.
SeasonApr-OctWarm-season windows are the easiest fit, but the creek is quick to rise after thunderstorms and quick to get scratchy when the Camp Hill proxy falls below the county floor.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

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WeekendChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

Launch at McCormick Park and take out at the public Liberty Forge bridge access for a short Yellow Breeches float. Use the Camp Hill gauge as the county-endorsed same-creek proxy and keep the day conservative when the creek is below the recommended floor.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

McCormick Park launch
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Cumberland County still publishes both endpoints as official Yellow Breeches access points with exact coordinates on the county story map.

Finish

Take-out

Liberty Forge bridge access
Open mapDirections to take-out

The county story map says the public may access the creek for boating at the Old Forge Road bridge at Liberty Forge and should follow posted access rules; it also asks paddlers to limit parking to individuals and small groups only.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Cumberland County still publishes both endpoints as official Yellow Breeches access points with exact coordinates on the county story map.
  • The county story map says the public may access the creek for boating at the Old Forge Road bridge at Liberty Forge and should follow posted access rules; it also asks paddlers to limit parking to individuals and small groups only.
  • Use the Camp Hill proxy against Cumberland County's 1.4–2.0 ft boating range. Below 1.4 ft, expect scrape-prone shallows; check the live stage and trend before launch.
  • The current county advisory flags a full blockage above B7 farther downstream, so do not assume a safe continuation beyond the intended take-out.

Watch for

  • Scraping, shallow bends, and slower travel when the Camp Hill gauge is near or below 1.4 ft.
  • Fresh wood, small strainers, slippery banks, and bridge-area current at the Liberty Forge finish.
  • Fast rises and more debris after thunderstorms on a creek that can change quickly despite its short mileage.
  • Private banks and drifting past the intended bridge-side public finish into less clear access context.

Plan this paddle

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Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Weather

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

An angler stands in the clear, shaded water of Yellow Breeches Creek at Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania.
Yellow Breeches Creek at Boiling Springs river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Staecker
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 shapeMcCormick Park to Liberty Forge, about 4.1–4.4 mi

    Cumberland County's trail guide lists 3.6 miles to Lower Allen and 0.5 miles from Lower Allen to Liberty Forge; Paddle Today's mapped trace estimates that last leg at about 0.8 miles. The card shows the resulting 4.1–4.4-mile range.

    Source

  • Public endpoint coordinates40.165436, -76.955080 to 40.177495, -76.924172

    Cumberland County still publishes McCormick Park and Liberty Forge as official Yellow Breeches access points with those coordinates.

    Source

  • Public-use access termsBridge-side boating access at Liberty Forge

    The county story map says the public may access the creek for boating at the bridge at Old Forge Road, with parking at the miniature-golf area and posted access rules controlling use.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-10USGS 01571500 at Camp Hill

    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 level guidanceRecommended 1.4 to 2.0 ft; action stage 6 ft; flood stage 7 ft

    Cumberland County says the Camp Hill gauge should read between 1.4 and 2.0 feet for boating, with action stage at 6 feet and flood stage at 7 feet.

    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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More on Yellow Breeches Creek

All 10
Liberty Forge to Yellow Breeches ParkSouth Central PennsylvaniaEasy · About 1.9 miLower Allen Community Park to Liberty ForgeSouth Central PennsylvaniaEasy · About 0.5–0.8 miLower Allen Community Park to Yellow Breeches ParkSouth Central PennsylvaniaEasy · About 2.4–2.7 miMcCormick Park to Lower Allen Community ParkSouth Central PennsylvaniaEasy · About 3.6 mi

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Conodoguinet CreekGood Hope Access to Acri Meadow Park · about 7 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 7.8 miConodoguinet CreekVincent DiFilippo Nature Preserve to Good Hope Access · about 7 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 5.2 miConodoguinet CreekVincent DiFilippo Nature Preserve to Acri Meadow Park · about 7 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 13 miConodoguinet CreekWillow Mill Park to Vincent DiFilippo Nature Preserve · about 8 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 4.4 mi

Quick answers

Yellow Breeches Creek paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the McCormick Park to Liberty Forge route on the Yellow Breeches Creek?

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 McCormick Park to Liberty Forge route on the Yellow Breeches Creek start and end?

This route starts at McCormick Park launch and ends at Liberty Forge bridge access, about 4.1–4.4 mi on the water.

Is the McCormick Park to Liberty Forge route on the Yellow Breeches Creek suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a easy 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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