About the Clarion River Water Trail
The Clarion River Water Trail is the perfect place to begin your paddling adventure. Almost the entire trail is a Class I river meaning “it doesn’t get any easier unless you’re on a pond.” Paddlers and anglers can enjoy fishing, the scenery and history in day or multi-day trips.
Almost half the trail is designated under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of its outstanding natural, cultural, historic and recreational value.
The river passes through four state parks, the Allegheny National Forest and Clarion Riverlands making it easy to pair paddling with a hike or other land-based adventure.
It’s easy to stop at Cook Forest State Park and visit the Forest Cathedral Natural Area, a registered National Natural Landmark, home to some of the oldest trees on the East Coast.
The Clarion River was not always the pristine river that it is today. In the early 1900s, it was described as one of the worst rivers in the state due to high levels of pollution.
After a massive effort to restore the river, the river experienced a tremendous recovery.
In 2019, the Clarion River was named River of the Year by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Fishing Opportunities
Find plenty of fishing opportunities along the Clarion River Water Trail, whether you’re fishing from the shoreline or fishing from a kayak.
The main gamefish in the river are Smallmouth Bass with your best opportunities for hooking into a Smallmouth is from Piney Dam through Cook Forest State Park to the upper stretches of the river. Anglers close to Piney Dam can also fish for Walleyes. Upstream, anglers will be able to find big trout. Brown trout in the river frequently exceeds 20 inches.
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Where to Fish
Discover PA's best fishing waters, warmwater/coolwater fisheries and trout streams on the Clarion River.
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Biologist Reports - Area 2
Armstrong, Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Jefferson, Indiana, McKean, Mercer, Warren, and Venango counties
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Warmwater/Coolwater Stocking
Search stockings of juvenile warmwater/coolwater fish species along the Clarion River.
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Trout Stocking Schedule
Search trout stockings along the Clarion River.
Boating Opportunities
The Clarion River is an “ideal training and touring course” for paddlers.
Mostly a Class I river, the riffles and rapids are suitable for beginners under normal conditions. There are always potential hazards on any river, and the river has some Class II rapids downstream from Arroyo. Class II rapids are easy rapids and waves that require some maneuvering.
Overnight floats take planning and paddlers can camp along the river from dispersed sites to state parks with bathrooms, showers, private cabins and campgrounds.
The river is quite accessible with public launch access areas along the trail about every eight to 10 miles.
The nine miles between the Gravel Lick and Mill Creek launches is a gorgeous, secluded stretch of river that offers the possibility of seeing black bears, bobcats, ospreys, eagles and sometimes otters.
Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau
Planning a float is easy by using a detailed river map from the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau.
These maps highlight details of the river, boating regulations, paddling safety tips, fishing opportunities, and camping information.
The maps point out known ones, but paddlers need to pay attention to water levels. Check the maps for recommended water levels, measured in feet, then compare that to real-time conditions.
This content was partially adapted from The Clarion River Water Trail feature by Bob Frye in Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Magazine.
