Water-sports · Straddles the county line
Schuylkill River Water Trail
- Type
- Water trail (river paddling)
- Where
- Schuylkill County (the river's headwaters) — it flows southeast toward Berks County
- Managed by
- Schuylkill River Greenways (National & State Heritage Area), with PFBC for boating
- Coordinates
- Not yet verified — see access notes below; check the managing agency's map for exact parking and trailheads.
- Last verified
- 2026-06-18
The Schuylkill River rises in the Schuylkill County coal region — its East Branch near Tuscarora and Tamaqua, its West Branch near Minersville — and the two branches join at Schuylkill Haven before the main stem meets the Little Schuylkill at Port Clinton. A developing water trail offers public paddling launches along this upper corridor.
Paddling
Public landings within the county include Auburn (Auburn Landing, Market Street), Schuylkill Haven (the SRT Boat Launch on Dock Street), and Port Clinton (Port Clinton Park). A PFBC or DCNR launch permit or boat registration is required for unpowered craft at access areas. Because the trail is a river corridor rather than a single point, verify each landing against the official section maps before you go.
Water quality
The river’s headwaters carry acid mine drainage (AMD) from the historic anthracite region — a well-documented legacy pollution source that the county conservation district and partners are working to remediate. Water quality varies by reach.
Fishing
The main stem holds smallmouth bass and general warmwater species; stocked and wild trout are found on tributaries such as the Little Schuylkill.
Access & parking
- Getting there
- Public landings within Schuylkill County include Auburn Landing (2033 Market St, Auburn), the SRT Boat Launch at Schuylkill Haven (197 Dock St), and Port Clinton Park (Schuylkill St). Landings are marked with an oval medallion; verify each against the official section maps.
Sources
- Schuylkill River Greenways — Schuylkill River Water Trail
Source type: publisher - PA Fish & Boat Commission — Schuylkill water trail
Source type: government - Schuylkill County Conservation District — watershed / AMD
Source type: government
Frequently asked
- Where can you put in on the Schuylkill River Water Trail in Schuylkill County?
- Public landings within the county include Auburn (Auburn Landing on Market St), Schuylkill Haven (the SRT Boat Launch on Dock St), and Port Clinton (Port Clinton Park). A PFBC or DCNR launch permit or boat registration is required for unpowered craft at access areas.