Pennsylvania | South Central Pennsylvania

Yellow Breeches CreekSimpson Park to Lower Allen Community Park

Middle Yellow Breeches township-to-township day from Simpson Park to Lower Allen Community Park. Cumberland County still publishes both named public launches and the Camp Hill gauge guidance, which is enough to ship this short creek route with conservative low-water and downstream-blockage messaging.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 4.7 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 2 hr to 3 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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Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
DifficultyeasyThis is easy moving water in ordinary conditions, but the route still needs same-day judgment when the proxy gauge is low, wood has shifted, or storms have pushed current above the usual township-float feel.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known for these township-park launches. Follow current township, boating, and PFD rules. If you extend to PFBC launches on a different plan, those separate access points may require registration or a PFBC/state-park launch permit.
CampingOptions nearbyLower Allen Community Park offers camping by reservation at the take-out. Treat that as endpoint campground support only and not as permission to camp elsewhere on the creek corridor.
SeasonApr-OctSpring through early fall is the clearest fit, but summer thunderstorms can raise this small creek quickly and low summer water can turn even a short route into a scrape-and-drag day.

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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Plan your trip

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

Access and shuttle

Launch at Simpson Park and take out at Lower Allen Community Park for a short-to-medium Yellow Breeches day. Use the Camp Hill gauge as the county-endorsed same-creek proxy and expect scraping or slower lines when it sits below the recommended 1.4-foot floor.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Simpson Park launch

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

Finish

Take-out

Lower Allen Community Park launch

Use the Camp Hill proxy against Cumberland County's 1.4–2.0 ft boating range. Below 1.4 ft, expect low-water scraping and possible dragging; check the live stage and trend before launch.

Road shuttle

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.
  • Use the Camp Hill proxy against Cumberland County's 1.4–2.0 ft boating range. Below 1.4 ft, expect low-water scraping and possible dragging; check the live stage and trend before launch.
  • The county currently warns of a full blockage above B7 and recommends B6 as the downstream finish there. Treat this route as a self-contained upper-middle segment rather than a casual continuation downstream.
  • Trail use is limited to daylight hours and the county asks paddlers to respect private property not designated for public use.

Watch for

  • Scraping, shallow riffles, and slow progress when the Camp Hill gauge is near or below 1.4 ft.
  • Fresh wood, strainers, overhanging limbs, and muddy banks after thunderstorms.
  • Quicker current and more debris once the creek rises toward the 6 ft action stage, even if the short route still looks tame from shore.
  • Private banks and limited legal bailout choices away from the named public launches.

Choose your trip times

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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Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

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Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

What 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 shapeSimpson Park to Lower Allen Community Park, about 4.7 mi

    The county story map lists Simpson Park to McCormick Park as 1.1 miles and McCormick Park to Lower Allen Community Park as 3.6 miles.

    Source

  • Public endpoint coordinates40.164151, -76.976192 to 40.172373, -76.913787

    Cumberland County still publishes Simpson Park and Lower Allen Community Park as official Yellow Breeches access points with those coordinates.

    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

  • Current downstream advisoryComplete blockage upstream of B7; county recommends taking out at B6

    The county water-trails page currently warns of a large fallen tree and logjam upstream of Slate Hill Road and specifically recommends B6 Yellow Breeches Park to avoid the hazard.

    Source

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Yellow Breeches Creek paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Simpson Park to Lower Allen Community 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 Simpson Park to Lower Allen Community Park route on the Yellow Breeches Creek start and end?

This route starts at Simpson Park launch and ends at Lower Allen Community Park launch, about 4.7 mi on the water.

Is the Simpson Park to Lower Allen Community 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.

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.