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Pennsylvania | South Central Pennsylvania

Yellow Breeches CreekMcCormick Park to Yellow Breeches Park

Middle-lower Yellow Breeches continuation from McCormick Park to Yellow Breeches Park. Cumberland County still documents the full access chain, the bridge-side Liberty Forge public-use terms, and the B6 finish that stays above the current downstream blockage.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 6.0–6.3 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 2 hr 30 min to 4 hr 30 min 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 6.0–6.3 miMcCormick Park to Yellow Breeches Park
DifficultyeasyThe route is approachable at normal summer levels, but six miles of moving water, low-water scraping, fresh wood, and the need to finish before the posted downstream hazard keep it from being a mindless drift.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the take-out at Yellow Breeches Park before driving back to McCormick Park. Inspect the Sheepford Road finish first because informal roadside parking and muddy footing can change quickly after rain.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known for this park-to-park route. Follow current township, boating, and PFD rules, and do not assume a downstream continuation beyond the posted B6 finish.
CampingOptions nearbyLower Allen Community Park sits on the 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

Waiting on forecast.

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 Yellow Breeches Park for a middle-lower Yellow Breeches day that still stays above the county’s current downstream blockage. Use the Camp Hill gauge as the county-endorsed same-creek proxy and keep the day conservative when it sits below the recommended floor.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

McCormick Park launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

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

Finish

Take-out

Yellow Breeches Park launch
Open mapDirections to take-out

The county story map says the public may access the creek for boating at the bridge at Old Forge Road at Liberty Forge while following posted access rules; the route passes that bridge before continuing to B6.

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 bridge at Old Forge Road at Liberty Forge while following posted access rules; the route passes that bridge before continuing to B6.
  • Use the Camp Hill proxy against Cumberland County's 1.4–2.0 ft boating range. Below 1.4 ft, expect scrape-prone shallows and slower travel; check the live stage and trend before launch.
  • The county currently warns of a full blockage near B7 and specifically recommends B6 Yellow Breeches Park as the safer downstream finish.

Watch for

  • Scraping, shallow bends, and slower travel when the Camp Hill gauge is near or below 1.4 ft.
  • Fresh wood, strainers, and muddy footing at Liberty Forge and Yellow Breeches Park after storms.
  • Fast rises and more debris after thunderstorms on a creek that can change quickly despite modest mileage.
  • The posted downstream blockage beyond B6, plus private banks and limited legal bailout choices away from the named public launches.

Plan this paddle

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No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

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

Recent trend

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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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 Yellow Breeches Park, about 6.0–6.3 mi

    Cumberland County's total for the adjacent legs is 6.0 miles using 0.5 miles for B4-B5. The mapped B4-B5 creek segment is about 0.8 miles, making the mapped total about 6.3 miles.

    Source

  • Public endpoint coordinates40.165436, -76.955080 to 40.183811, -76.912682

    Cumberland County still publishes McCormick Park and Yellow Breeches Park 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 149 cfs / 1.26 ft

    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

  • Current finish rationaleCounty recommends B6 instead of continuing toward B7

    The county page currently warns that a large fallen tree and logjam completely block the creek upstream of the Slate Hill Road take-out and specifically recommends taking out at B6 Yellow Breeches Park to avoid the hazard.

    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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Pennsylvania route guideBrowse every tracked Pennsylvania route.South Central PennsylvaniaJump to routes in this region.

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 Liberty ForgeSouth Central PennsylvaniaEasy · About 4.1–4.4 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 Yellow Breeches Park 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 Yellow Breeches Park route on the Yellow Breeches Creek start and end?

This route starts at McCormick Park launch and ends at Yellow Breeches Park launch, about 6.0–6.3 mi on the water.

Is the McCormick Park to Yellow Breeches Park 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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