Northern PA? Allegheny Reservoir?

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Northern PA? Allegheny Reservoir?
Posted by: Janster on Aug-09-12 1:46 AM (EST)

Please pardon, as this is my first time posting in this forum /type of forum.

My husband and I bought a couple kayaks a couple weeks ago and have been out on the water every weekend since.

We have 4 days off (16th-19th)and we are looking to check out some PA areas to paddle - and Allegheny Reservoir looked interesting.

Other than visiting the launch site map (which we use alot on the iphones, wish it didn't crash so much) - and reading very old trip reports....We have no idea where to paddle to see the most beautiful scenery for this area. We will only have one vehicle and would like to stay with calm/flat waters (we're beginners).

If you guys have any websites I can check out - please post them or if you recommend any areas, would be appreciated!!
Thanks
Jandy

Table of Contents

Northern PA? Allegheny Reservoir? - Janster - Aug-09-12 1:46 AM
- Chapman Dam - duckhunter - Aug-10-12 8:12 AM
  - Just got back from PA - mlrahn - Aug-10-12 8:28 AM
- Kinzua Reservoir - ness - Aug-12-12 11:07 AM
- place to try - Matt1284 - Aug-12-12 9:28 PM
- Red Bridge - lauraellenm - Aug-13-12 7:57 AM
- Presque Isle lagoons - Janster - Aug-14-12 2:01 AM
  - There's more... - Coulter - Aug-16-12 6:50 AM
- Consider easy, scenic rivers in your - g2d - Sep-02-12 12:37 PM

Messages in this Topic

  Chapman Dam
  Posted by: duckhunter on Aug-10-12 8:12 AM (EST)

If traveling to Kinzua Country also check out Chapman Dam. A beautiful smaller body of water that does not get the winds Kinzua does.

There is also small shelters to stay in over night that are very economical.

  Just got back from PA
  Posted by: mlrahn on Aug-10-12 8:28 AM (EST)

We just got back from 5 days in PA, some of trip based on good info from my earlier post.

Private email sent so as not to duplicate posts, let me know if you didn't get it.

Michael

  Kinzua Reservoir
  Posted by: ness on Aug-12-12 11:07 AM (EST)

The Kinzua Reservoir is very nice, but can be very busy with motor boat traffic, especially on summer weekends and on holiday weekends. On the PA side, I have been to Hooks Brook, Morrsion Run, and Pine Grove as paddle-in camping destinations. All nice, but also available to the motorboat crowd, and sometimes large party groups, so be aware of that.

If you are just day paddling, both Red House Lake and Quaker Lake are nice destinations in the same area, especially at sunset.

  place to try
  Posted by: Matt1284 on Aug-12-12 9:28 PM (EST)

if your looking for calm/flat water a great place to try out is the susquehanna river near muddy run/holtwood dam....its calm and scenic with rock gorges, rock islands in the middle of the river with old abandoned cabin houses on them and a growing population of bald eagles that were reintroduced years ago and have been flurishing. the susquehanic park has an elevated lookout spot in the park that overlooks the river and is a good place to site bald eagles or picnic.

  Red Bridge
  Posted by: lauraellenm on Aug-13-12 7:57 AM (EST)

The Red Bridge campground on the Allegheny reservoir -Kinzua is a really nice place to camp. It is on the Kinzua arm of the reservoir and mostly in a no wake zone for the speed boats. The facilities have been upgraded within the past couple of years and are very nice. There are many waterfront campsites from which to choose. From Red Bridge it is fun to paddle up under the bridge and poke around in the area where Kinzua and Little Kinzua streams flow into the reservoir. On a quiet weekday you will be sure to see eagles, osprey, deer and many different birds. You can also easily paddle down towards Chappel and Morrison bays. -. Just down the road -321- towards Kane, PA there is a nice diner - Bobs Trading Post. There is also a small store. I hope this helps. You can find more information on the area and it's campgrounds on the Allegheny National Forest website.

  Presque Isle lagoons
  Posted by: Janster on Aug-14-12 2:01 AM (EST)

Thanks Gang!!
After seeing comments and other info about the reservoir, I think there's too much boat traffic for us to really enjoy our visit.

I was doing some more research and found some areas up in Erie. I think we're going to yak the lagoons on Presque Isle. I've heard this is a great wonderful paddle. Wildlife refugee and without any motorized traffic. I'm excited!!

Matt - funny you should mention that...but those areas are right in my backyard. We've already paddled Muddy Run, Octorara, several areas of the Susquehanna River, and parts of the Conestoga River. There is so much to explore!!

  There's more...
  Posted by: Coulter on Aug-16-12 6:50 AM (EST)

You can actually make a nice loop from the Marina through the lagoons, out into Presque Isle Bay and back into the marina if your up for a longer route. There's a huge sandbar that goes out into Presque Isle Bay that keeps boat traffic to a minimum in that area. You just have to time your entry through the channel back into the marina, but that is usually done fairly easy. This route provides more than just the inside view of the lagoons. Shoot me a message if you'd like somebody else to paddle with, a "tour guide" if you will. My daughter just left for the Navy, so all of my paddling is a solo venture for a while.

Steve

  Consider easy, scenic rivers in your
  Posted by: g2d on Sep-02-12 12:37 PM (EST)

area, like the Clarion and the Allegheney. Water levels have been unusually low at times this year, but in a normal year these rivers will save you work while delivering great scenery.

	Chapman Dam Posted by: duckhunter on Aug-10-12 8:12 AM (EST)
	If traveling to Kinzua Country also check out Chapman Dam. A beautiful smaller body of water that does not get the winds Kinzua does. There is also small shelters to stay in over night that are very economical.

	Just got back from PA Posted by: mlrahn on Aug-10-12 8:28 AM (EST)
	We just got back from 5 days in PA, some of trip based on good info from my earlier post. Private email sent so as not to duplicate posts, let me know if you didn't get it. Michael

	Kinzua Reservoir Posted by: ness on Aug-12-12 11:07 AM (EST)
	The Kinzua Reservoir is very nice, but can be very busy with motor boat traffic, especially on summer weekends and on holiday weekends. On the PA side, I have been to Hooks Brook, Morrsion Run, and Pine Grove as paddle-in camping destinations. All nice, but also available to the motorboat crowd, and sometimes large party groups, so be aware of that. If you are just day paddling, both Red House Lake and Quaker Lake are nice destinations in the same area, especially at sunset.

	place to try Posted by: Matt1284 on Aug-12-12 9:28 PM (EST)
	if your looking for calm/flat water a great place to try out is the susquehanna river near muddy run/holtwood dam....its calm and scenic with rock gorges, rock islands in the middle of the river with old abandoned cabin houses on them and a growing population of bald eagles that were reintroduced years ago and have been flurishing. the susquehanic park has an elevated lookout spot in the park that overlooks the river and is a good place to site bald eagles or picnic.

	Red Bridge Posted by: lauraellenm on Aug-13-12 7:57 AM (EST)
	The Red Bridge campground on the Allegheny reservoir -Kinzua is a really nice place to camp. It is on the Kinzua arm of the reservoir and mostly in a no wake zone for the speed boats. The facilities have been upgraded within the past couple of years and are very nice. There are many waterfront campsites from which to choose. From Red Bridge it is fun to paddle up under the bridge and poke around in the area where Kinzua and Little Kinzua streams flow into the reservoir. On a quiet weekday you will be sure to see eagles, osprey, deer and many different birds. You can also easily paddle down towards Chappel and Morrison bays. -. Just down the road -321- towards Kane, PA there is a nice diner - Bobs Trading Post. There is also a small store. I hope this helps. You can find more information on the area and it's campgrounds on the Allegheny National Forest website.

	Presque Isle lagoons Posted by: Janster on Aug-14-12 2:01 AM (EST)
	Thanks Gang!! After seeing comments and other info about the reservoir, I think there's too much boat traffic for us to really enjoy our visit. I was doing some more research and found some areas up in Erie. I think we're going to yak the lagoons on Presque Isle. I've heard this is a great wonderful paddle. Wildlife refugee and without any motorized traffic. I'm excited!! Matt - funny you should mention that...but those areas are right in my backyard. We've already paddled Muddy Run, Octorara, several areas of the Susquehanna River, and parts of the Conestoga River. There is so much to explore!!

	There's more... Posted by: Coulter on Aug-16-12 6:50 AM (EST)
	You can actually make a nice loop from the Marina through the lagoons, out into Presque Isle Bay and back into the marina if your up for a longer route. There's a huge sandbar that goes out into Presque Isle Bay that keeps boat traffic to a minimum in that area. You just have to time your entry through the channel back into the marina, but that is usually done fairly easy. This route provides more than just the inside view of the lagoons. Shoot me a message if you'd like somebody else to paddle with, a "tour guide" if you will. My daughter just left for the Navy, so all of my paddling is a solo venture for a while. Steve

	Consider easy, scenic rivers in your Posted by: g2d on Sep-02-12 12:37 PM (EST)
	area, like the Clarion and the Allegheney. Water levels have been unusually low at times this year, but in a normal year these rivers will save you work while delivering great scenery.