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Paddle Happy trips are large group river adventures for beginners, experts, and everyone in between. We canoe and kayak beautiful, curated sections of Pennsylvania rivers. We indulge in comfy basecamps and delicious meals. And we rock out to fantastic live music at every stop.
The true magic is in the Paddle Happy community. We’re a community that welcomes new paddlers. We’re a community obsessed with making our adventures as safe as possible. And we’re a community who love and support one another.
The W&L Subaru Paddle Happy: Jumbo is all new for 2025. W&L Subaru has made an incredible one-day river trip possible, in which we explore the fantastic final dozen miles of the West Branch Susquehanna, starting in Milton, PA. Best of all? It’s the best value we’ve ever been able to deliver on a Paddle Happy trip at just $49 per person.
Come find out what the fuss is all about. Join us on a Paddle Happy river trip. I’ll see you on the water!
Bad Adventures founder
Cut loose! Join a river battle with water guns blazing or win the Pirate Pageant captain’s hat.
In our guided format, the rivers we paddle are appropriate for beginners, experts, and everyone in between. Whether you’re new to kayaking or you’re an experienced, swashbuckling river rat, you’ll fit right in.
We canoe and kayak from one live music performance to the next. The music lineup includes authentic blues, funk-rock, singer-songwriter classics, and can’t-help-but-sing-along covers.
A new musical artist performs for us at every stop along the river.
Get your glamp on! Our tents can remain pitched for the whole trip. We return to basecamp every night.
Indulge in tasty lunches, dinners, breakfasts, and snacks. Bring on the yum!
…They care tremendously about making everyone comfortable—both on water and land. Besides which, the leaders and staff are fun and engaging people who take the time to get to know everyone…
—
Gail M.
from Silver Spring, MD
after Paddle Happy: Schuylkill 2023
I cannot say enough positive things about this trip and Bad Adventures. The friendliness and welcoming nature of Matt and his staff was such a wonderful experience. From the moment we checked in until the morning we left, the staff was so approachable and helpful…
—
Marta B.
from Mays Landing, NJ
after Paddle Happy: Schuylkill 2023
Join us to paddle a beautiful section of Central PA’s West Branch of the Susquehanna River. Spot great blue heron and bald eagle, as we canoe and kayak from one live music performance to the next.
Basecamp is hosted in the borough of Montgomery, PA. We return each night to enjoy camp games and scrumptious meals together.
Basecamp check-in is in the pavilions in the northwest corner of the park.
We put together a list of suggestions: View the Recommended Packing List [PDF]
A don’t miss trip. Matt and his crew are great, and it seems they take that last attention to detail as serious as the first, which makes it a first class operation, through and through. And they like to have fun, be it music or a pirate show, you never know. Thumbs up all around!
—
Jim S.
from Kenhorst, PA
after Paddle Happy: Schuylkill 2023
emphasis added
W&L Subaru has made a fantastic new river trip possible. On this one-day trip that’s appropriate for new and experienced paddlers alike, we kayak and canoe past the picturesque victorian borough of Lewisburg, enjoy a fantastic live music performance while devouring a yummy lunch, and finish at the confluence of the West Branch and North Branch of the Susquehanna River.
Best of all? It’s the best value Paddle Happy trip ever at just $49 per person.
W&L Subaru has been serving central Pennsylvania since 1965.
Purchase your next vehicle from W&L Subaru.
W&L Subaru
535 Point Township Drive
Northumberland, PA 17857
wandlsubaru.com
570-762-9135
Paddle Happy: Jumbo is crucial for W&L Subaru because it directly embodies our commitment to enhancing community life and environmental stewardship, aligning perfectly with both the Subaru Loves The Earth initiative and our own mission. By raising funds for the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, we actively support their vital conservation work, strengthening our role as a responsible and engaged community partner. At W&L Subaru, we're more than a car dealer; we're a part of the community.
Paddlers attending Paddle Happy: West Branch do not need to check-in separately for the W&L Subaru Paddle Happy: Jumbo.
We put together a list of suggestions: View the Recommended Packing List [PDF]
Wow. The whole thing was awesome! It really was. I was impressed with every single aspect. Not overstating it or exaggerating what I experienced. I thought the organization of everything was fantastic. Obvious that there were lots of moving parts to this, and that it all seemed to work flawlessly, just kudos to everyone involved. I was very impressed with the attention to detail. Everything—our meals, the facilities, the music, the people on the trip. It was really a great adventure. Super well done to everyone there! Lot of fun!
—
Jerry M.
from Rochester, NY
after Paddle Happy: Schuylkill 2023
emphasis added
$150
Camp
Paddle Montoursville Montgomery
$200
Camp
Paddle Montgomery Milton
3rd Annual Pirate Pageant & Camp
$49
Paddle Milton Northumberland
$249
Camp
Paddle Montgomery Milton
3rd Annual Pirate Pageant & Camp
Paddle Milton Northumberland
$399
$379
Save $20
All of Paddle Happy: West Branch and the W&L Subaru Paddle Happy: Jumbo
Jolly rogers are hoisted over basecamp when we return from the river on Saturday of Paddle Happy: West Branch.
We swap our life jackets and river garb for ruffled shirts and bright striped britches. ’Tis time for the Pirate Pageant!
Sponsored by toothsmith of the high seas, Dr. James Van Horn, and the fine privateers of Trace Pheasantry, this hullabaloo is sure to have ye laughin’ harder than a parrot caught in a ticklin’ bout!
Dress in yer finest pirate attire or borrow from our treasure trove if ye come up short.
Test yer wits with the saltiest of pirate trivia and share a seafarer’s joke or two! The winner, the pirate who outshines ’em all, will be crowned captain of our sinkin’ ship.
Crowned Captains
For Paddle Happy: West Branch, check-in and camping is at our basecamp:
Montgomery Park
1st Street
Montgomery, PA 17752
Check-in is in the pavilions in the northwest corner of the park.
For the W&L Subaru Paddle Happy: Jumbo, check-in is at our put-in:
Milton State Park
PA Route 642
Milton, PA 17847
Paddlers who sign up for both Paddle Happy: West Branch and the W&L Subaru Paddle Happy:Jumbo do not need to check-in separately for the W&L Subaru Paddle Happy: Jumbo.
Kids must be at least 8 years old to participate. Everyone under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Experienced paddlers may make special arrangements to bring a child under age 8 by emailing howdy@badadventures.com.
You bet. Please select the vegetarian meal preference option when you register. We’ll arrange yummy vegetarian (no meat or fish) meals for you.
We paddle 11 to 13 miles downstream per day with a midday lunch stop. Each day is a mild to moderate, full-day paddle.
You don't need to be a professional athlete to take part! We paddle 3–5 hours per day at a relaxed touring pace.
There are no dam portages on any of our 2025 Paddle Happy river trips.
Paddle Happy canoe and kayak trips are designed for beginners, experts, and everyone in between!
At most June water levels, in our guided, group-paddle setting, our itineraries are appropriate for beginner paddlers. Our guides love to teach paddling. We look forward to helping you grow your skills!
Our itineraries do include class I and class I+ moving water features. In our guided, group-paddle setting, the sections we paddle are appropriate for even beginner recreational paddlers.
Are you kidding? Absolutely!!
You certainly can. Rental kayaks are available for $45 per day. Each rental includes a single-person kayak, paddle, and life jacket. Be sure to select the rental kayak option when you register. Arranging a rental once you arrive to the trip is not possible.
If you rent a kayak and weigh more than 250-pounds or less than 110-pounds, please email us at howdy@badadventures.com after you register. We’ll make sure an appropriately-sized boat is reserved for you.
Tent camping at a basecamp we return to each night is included with Paddle Happy: West Branch registration. A delicious hot dinner and breakfast is provided.
Camping is not available for paddlers who only register for the W&L Subaru Paddle Happy: Jumbo.
You’re responsible for bringing your own camping gear.
You may leave your tent set up while we paddle during the day. However, do not leave valuables unattended.
On Sunday morning, tents must be removed and the camping area must be clean by 9:30 AM.
You bet. A limited number of Big Agnes tents and Big Agnes sleeping pads are available to rent. Email howdy@badadventures.com to request rental camping equipment.
It’s possible! You’ll need to contact Riverside Campground in Montgomery, PA directly at 570-547-2252 to reserve and pay for an RV site.
There are numerous hotels in the area.
Absolutely. Please drop an email to howdy@badadventures.com and we’ll take care of changing your registration. We’ll send you a link to pay the difference in price.
No problem. Please email howdy@badadventures.com. We’ll add the rental kayak to your registration and send you a link to pay.
Rental boat supply is limited. Request a boat early to ensure availability.
It’s easy. Just email howdy@badadventures.com and we’ll get you squared away.
If you cancel by May 1, there is no cancellation fee and you’ll receive a full refund, including your deposit. If you cancel between May 1 and May 20, the cancellation fee is equal to 20% of your registration price. After May 20, the cancellation fee is equal to 100% of your registration price and there will be no refunds.
Donations to Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy are not refundable.
Bad Adventures is an equal opportunity service provider and employer that operates under commercial use authorizations from Amistad National Recreation Area, Arches National Park, Big Bend National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Everglades National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park and Zion National Park, special use permit from USDA Forest Service, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest, and special recreation permit from Bureau of Land Management.
Sonny, the Paddle Happy mascot, was illustrated by Brian Swisher, living legend.
The ‘Amazing guides’ photo is by Michilea Patterson, Schuylkill River Greenways.
© 2022–2025 Bad Adventures. All rights reserved.
