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Pennsylvania | Laurel Highlands
Youghiogheny RiverLower Yough: Ohiopyle to Bruner Run
Classic Lower Yough whitewater through Ohiopyle State Park, from the state-park launch below Ohiopyle Falls to Bruner Run. DCNR names the exact seven-mile route, American Whitewater ties it to the Ohiopyle USGS stage gauge, and the route is only for experienced whitewater boaters or guided groups.
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
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 below Ohiopyle Falls at the state-park Lower Yough launch and take out at Bruner Run for the classic Lower Yough whitewater run. Use the Ohiopyle USGS stage gauge and current park rules, and skip the route when the water, weather, access status, or group skill is not clearly right.
Access map
Put-in
Ohiopyle State Park Lower Yough launchThis route starts below Ohiopyle Falls; running the falls has separate DCNR access rules and is not part of the normal route recommendation.
Take-out
Bruner Run Take-outLaunch tickets are required during the DCNR managed season. Weekend and holiday launch tickets carry a fee, and current shuttle/gate operations can affect how you retrieve boats and vehicles.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- This route starts below Ohiopyle Falls; running the falls has separate DCNR access rules and is not part of the normal route recommendation.
- Launch tickets are required during the DCNR managed season. Weekend and holiday launch tickets carry a fee, and current shuttle/gate operations can affect how you retrieve boats and vehicles.
- The put-in and take-out coordinates are American Whitewater feature coordinates cross-checked against DCNR route names, not a DCNR coordinate table. Use current state-park signs and staff instructions on arrival.
- Bruner Run access has had construction and closure history. Check current Ohiopyle State Park notices before assuming the take-out road, shuttle, or lower loading area is open.
- Only whitewater-suitable craft belong on this route. DCNR says inexperienced whitewater boaters should use qualified guides, and all boaters must follow DCNR whitewater rules.
Watch for
- Class III-IV rapids, including Entrance, Cucumber, Railroad, Dimple, Swimmers, Schoolhouse, River End, and Bruner Run.
- Dimple Rock and other undercut or entrapment hazards, ledges, hydraulics, pin rocks, swift current, and cold swims.
- Low water near the bottom of the AW range, where rocks and pins become more exposed, and high water above about 4 ft where hydraulics and pushier current increase.
- Water at or above about 7 ft on the Ohiopyle gauge, which AW classifies as high to extremely high Class IV-V and outside this general recommendation.
- Crowded commercial/private traffic, limited eddies, group separation, bridge and trail spectators near Ohiopyle, storms, release changes, and missing the Bruner Run take-out.
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.
USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle, PA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
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Gauge
Recent trend
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Route gallery
Photos
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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 routeSeven miles to Bruner Run
DCNR says the Lower Yough begins after Ohiopyle Falls and flows seven miles downstream to the Bruner Run Take-out, with numerous Class III-IV rapids.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-06-11USGS 03081500 at Ohiopyle
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.
- AW stage bands1.1 / 1.7-4.0 / 7.0 ft
American Whitewater ties the Ohiopyle-to-Bruner-Run reach to USGS 03081500, lists 1.10-1.70 ft as barely to medium runnable, 1.70-4.00 ft as medium to a bit pushy runnable, 4.00-7.00 ft as pushy to high runnable, and 7.00 ft plus as high to extremely high Class IV-V.
- Access and permit contextLaunch ticket plus PA permit/registration context
DCNR says Lower Yough boaters must obtain a launch ticket during the managed season, and PFBC says unpowered boats need registration, a PFBC launch permit, or a DCNR State Parks launch permit to use PFBC or Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests access areas.
- Endpoint supportAW feature coordinates
American Whitewater places the Ohiopyle State Park put-in below the falls at 39.866528, -79.493395 and the Bruner Run take-out at 39.926672, -79.487236; DCNR independently names the same route endpoints.
- Core hazardsClass III-IV gorge whitewater
DCNR warns of undercut rocks, ledges, swift currents, injury and death potential, and required PFDs and helmets on the Lower Yough; AW highlights Dimple Rock entrapment risk and pushier hydraulics at higher stages.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
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Quick answers
Youghiogheny River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Lower Yough: Ohiopyle to Bruner Run route on the Youghiogheny River?
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 Lower Yough: Ohiopyle to Bruner Run route on the Youghiogheny River start and end?
This route starts at Ohiopyle State Park Lower Yough launch and ends at Bruner Run Take-out, about 7 to 7.2 mi on the water.
Is the Lower Yough: Ohiopyle to Bruner Run route on the Youghiogheny River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a hard 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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