Pennsylvania | South Central Pennsylvania

Yellow Breeches CreekSimpson Park to Yellow Breeches Park

Longest currently shippable Yellow Breeches public day from Simpson Park to Yellow Breeches Park. Cumberland County still documents the full access chain, the Camp Hill gauge guidance, and the current B6 finish that stays above the posted B7 blockage.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 7.1–7.4 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 3 hr to 5 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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Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
DifficultyeasyThis is easy moving water in ordinary conditions, but seven-plus miles, low-water scrape potential, wood movement after storms, and the need to stop before the posted downstream hazard make it a real day plan rather than a casual drift.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known for these township launches. Follow current township, boating, and PFD rules, and do not assume the route should continue downstream into the posted B7 hazard area.
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 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 a longer route into a scratchy, slower 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 Yellow Breeches Park for the longest current public Yellow Breeches day the county still frames cleanly above the posted downstream blockage. Use the Camp Hill gauge as the county-endorsed same-creek proxy and expect scraping when it sits below the recommended 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

Yellow Breeches Park launch

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

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.
  • The county currently warns that a large fallen tree and logjam completely block the creek upstream of Slate Hill Road and specifically recommends B6 Yellow Breeches Park to avoid the hazard.
  • Use the Camp Hill proxy against Cumberland County's 1.4–2.0 ft boating range. Below 1.4 ft, expect low-water scraping; check the live stage and trend before launch.
  • 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 slower travel when the Camp Hill gauge is near or below 1.4 ft.
  • Fresh wood, strainers, and muddy footing at the Yellow Breeches Park finish after storms.
  • The posted downstream blockage and the B7 dam-portage area; do not drift past the intended B6 take-out assuming the lower trail is clear.
  • 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.

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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 Yellow Breeches Park, about 7.1–7.4 mi

    Cumberland County's total for the adjacent legs is 7.1 miles using 0.5 miles for B4-B5. The mapped B4-B5 creek segment is about 0.8 miles, making the mapped total about 7.4 miles.

    Source

  • Public endpoint coordinates40.164151, -76.976192 to 40.183811, -76.912682

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

    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

  • 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 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

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Yellow Breeches Creek paddling FAQ

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

This route starts at Simpson Park launch and ends at Yellow Breeches Park launch, about 7.1–7.4 mi on the water.

Is the Simpson 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.

See something outdated?

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