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    Juniata River Water Trail

    Over 150 miles of designated National Recreation Trail traveling from Canoe Creek State Park in Hollidaysburg to the mouth of the Susquehanna River in Duncannon.

    Scenic Juniata River with colorful fall forestry pictured along the stream

    About the Juniata River Water Trail

    Originating on the eastern slopes of the Allegheny Front at an elevation of ~3,000 feet above sea level, the Juniata River cuts through more than 150 miles of ridges and valleys to the confluence of the Susquehanna River. During the 18th century, the Juniata River was home to trading posts for Native Americans and early frontiersmen traveling west. In 1771, the Pennsylvania Assembly declared the Juniata a public stream and highway for nagivational purposes.

    In the mid-19th century, engineers built Pennsylvania's Main Line Canal to transport materials up the Juniata River and across the Allegheny Mountains to get to the Kiski-Conemaugh rivers. In Lewistown, Mifflin County, there is a trail that leads to a restored 1.5 mile section of the canal and this site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

    Though the Juniata isn't as mighty of a river as the Susquehanna or Allegheny, the 3-plus miles between Mapleton and Mount Union pass through Jacks Narrows, the state's deepest gorge. The peaks of Jacks Mountains rise to elevations over 2,120 feet making the gorge nearly 1/3 of a mile deep.

    The Juniata River was once recognized as Pennsylvania River of the Year. The National Park Service also designated the water trail a Chesapeake Bay Gateway and its Upper and Lower Sections a National Recreation Trail.

    National Recreation Trail logo by National Park Service
    PFBC Lewistown Narrows launch access sign next to a paved road leading to stream
    A concrete walking with a railing at Howe Township Access, Perry County, leads to the shoreline of the Juniata River.

    The Howe Township Access, Perry County, (pictured above) features an Americans with Disabilities Act accessible boat launch on the Juniata River. A concrete walkway with a railing leads to the water.

    Fishing Opportunities

    This Juniata River watershed is comprised of more than 6,500 miles of streams, with its main tributaries being the Little Juniata, Frankstown Branch and Raystown Branch. Each branch passes through or along state forests, state parks and state game lands, by little towns big on character and around wildlife.

    PFBC biologists survey the Juniata River to monitor Smallmouth Bass, the most abundant gamefish in this waterway. In a recent survey, 25% of Smallmouth Bass were over 12 inches and 10% over 15 inches. 

    Close-up of a person holding a smallmouth bass in their hand over a stream

    The lower section of the river from Newport to the mouth, provides great habitat. 

    It's good because of habitat, deep pools mixed with shallow riffles and runs with an influx of clean water from limestone tributary streams and an abundance of rusty crayfish for forage.

    - Bryan Chikotas, PFBC Southcentral Region Fisheries Manager

    Rock Bass and Muskellunge populations can also be found in the Juniata River. Rock Bass can be found in eelgrass or water willow alongside rocky habitat. The PFBC stocks Muskellunge as 12-inch fingerling in odd-numbered years. This species can be found where a colder-water tributary meets the river. 

    The upper section, where the Little Juniata meets the Frankstown Branch, seasonally holds Brown Trout. 

    Boating Opportunities

    Allegheny Ridge Corporation is an Altoona-based nonprofit organization manages Main Line Canal Greenway and oversees the Juniata River Water Trail and Raystown Branch Juniata River Water Trail. 

    They provide a water trail guide separated into three editions representing the Upper, Lower and Raystown Branch of the Juniata. These maps highlight details of the river, boating regulations, paddling safety tips, fishing opportunities, and campaing information.

    The paddling is relatively easy, too. Both branches are Class I waters, meaning their riffles and rapids are suitable for beginners under normal conditions. There are always potential hazards on any river. The maps point out known ones, but paddlers need to pay attention to water levels.

    The Raystown Branch Juniata River Water Trail as well as the Frankstown Branch and the Little Juniata River, outlined on the upper section map, get shallow in the summer. Even on the mainstem Juniata River, there are places where the water gets low. Check the maps for recommended water levels, measured in feet, then compare that to real-time conditions.

    Learn More About Main Line Canal Greenway
    Three friends wearing life jackets are laughing and having fun while kayaking along a stream in Central Pennsylvania.

    Know Before You Go

    Make sure you are prepared for your next paddling adventure. Learn more about paddling safety, launch permits and unpowered boat registration.

    Paddlesports

    This content was partially adapated from Juniata River Water Trail feature by Bob Frye in Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Magazine.