FLATWATER CANOEING Scenic Streams for Canoes in Upper Conemaugh       Several streams in the Little Conemaugh, Conemaugh and Stonycreek Rivers offer remarkably scenic flatwater boating courses for canoes and kayaks.  These opportunities include the Conemaugh River through Conemaugh Gap, the third-deepest gorge in Pennsylvania.  FLATWATER STREAMS Conemaugh River-Conemaugh Gap, Class I-II Lower Stonycreek, Class I Little Conemaugh, Portage-Summerhill, Class I-II Bens Creek-Class I-II Recent improvements to the area's waterways have helped to awaken residents and visitors to the great flatwater canoe opportunities on the Lower Stonycreek River and Upper Conemaugh Rivers. While there are no official public access points along these waters for put-ins and take-outs, there is currently a program underway to designate and develop public access sites. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) in 2002 identified the Kiski-Conemaugh River as a state "Water Trail.” The Water Trail designation means that assistance is now available, financially and technically, to establish public access sites along the Kiski-Conemaugh. That said, there are places currently along the Lower Stonycreek and Upper Conemaugh Rivers that are commonly used to put-in and take-out canoes. These are not officially sanctioned access areas, so boaters are urged to use caution, common sense and courtesy if they choose to use these access areas. Flatwater streams listed here under normal conditions would be rated as Class I with perhaps a small Class II section. Our many whitewater boating opportunities are listed separately.

Conemaugh River-Conemaugh Gap (Class I-II)

Parking is very limited near the ramp, and heavy traffic on Route 56 is also a concern. This ramp was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers to provide maintenance access to the Johnstown Local Flood Protection Project. However, it offers a relatively easy grade for carrying a canoe to the river.

The paddle passes through the "Concrete Canyon" of the Johnstown flood walls for about three miles but then the river is beautiful through the Conemaugh Gap. One potentially challenging rapid exists at the lower end of the Gap where the river is divided by an island. Most cautious boaters go down the right side.

The best take-out after the scenic paddle through gorge is in the small village of Charles just downstream from where Findley Run enters the Conemaugh.

Stonycreek River-Johnstown (Class I)

In Riverside at the end of the Jim Mayer Trail under the railroad bridge. This is a relatively short run of 1 1/2 miles. Parking is very limited at the take-out.

For a longer paddle, many people take out at the Army Corps maintenance ramps. One of these ramps is located behind Team Chevrolet in the Hornerstown neighborhood, and the other is just past the Johnstown Inclined Plane on the right side, where an access ramp leads down to river from Route 56 -- the same spot often used as a put-in for paddling Conemaugh Gap (see above). Some paddlers do both the Stonycreek and Conemaugh Gap sections in one day. Parking again is very limited at this take-out site, and heavy traffic on Route 56 is also a concern.

Little Conemaugh-Portage to Summerhill (Class I-II)

Bens Creek (Class I-II)