Schuylkill

June 1–4, 2023

A brand new trip on the Schuylkill

What could possibly make the gorgeous scenery and fun water features of this hidden gem paddling destination even better? Live music at every stop!

We're thrilled to partner with Explore Schuylkill to bring this brand new Schuylkill River adventure to life.

Join me, the Bad Adventures crew, and your favorite river rats for a fantastic time on the water! Register today!

Matt Stan, Bad Adventures founder

Presented With

Explore Schuylkill logo

Explore Schuylkill County, where your woodland escape and historic town adventures come together naturally.

Learn more at schuylkill.org.

Live Music Includes

Don Shappelle + Don Sennett

Don Shappelle + Don Sennett

Haley Sheeler

Haley Sheeler

Jay Smar

Jay Smar

Showalter and The Shenanigans

Showalter and The Shenanigans

Paddle 1, 2, or 3 Days!

  • River Trip Guided by Bad Adventures

  • Live Music

  • Bus Shuttles

  • Boat Transport Truck Service

  • Catered Lunches

  • T-Shirt + Boat Sticker

$129

per day*

Optional Camping

  • Tent Camping at our Maiden Creek Basecamp

  • Hot Dinner

  • Breakfast

  • Live Evening Music

  • Fire Pits

$70

per night*

*Plus credit card processing.

Thursday

June 1

Reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and try your hand at a game of cornhole on our kickoff night!

Maiden Creek Basecamp

Map

  • 3:00–7:00 PM
    Check-in is open
  • 4:00—6:00 PM
    Boat drop available with the loadmaster. Boats are loaded on transport trucks bound for Schuylkill Haven.
  • 6:00 PM
    Hot dinner for campers
  • 7:30 PM
    Live music performance from Jay Smar

Friday

June 2

11 River Miles

Lush, wooded scenery surrounds us from Schuylkill Haven to Port Clinton. We paddle a fun, splashy drop, called "The Chutes."

Maiden Creek Basecamp

Map

  • 7:00–8:00 AM
    Breakfast for campers
  • 7:00–8:00 AM
    Check-in is open
  • 7:00–8:15 AM
    Boat drop available with the loadmaster. Boats are loaded on transport trucks bound for Schuylkill Haven.
  • 8:30 AM
    Last bus departs for Schuylkill Haven

Schuylkill Haven

  • Mandatory safety demonstration
  • Put-in

Auburn

  • Lunch + live music performance from Haley Sheeler

Port Clinton

Map

  • Take-out
  • Buses depart for Basecamp
  • Day paddler boats available for pickup; continuing boats stay overnight with an attendant

Maiden Creek Basecamp

Map

  • 5:45–7:00 PM
    Check-in is open
  • 6:00 PM
    Hot dinner for campers
  • 7:30 PM
    Live music performance

Saturday

June 3

12 River Miles

We explore a georgeous river valley from Port Clinton to Leesport

Maiden Creek Basecamp

Map

  • 7:00–8:00 AM
    Breakfast for campers
  • 7:00–8:00 AM
    Check-in is open
  • 7:00–8:15 AM
    Boat drop available with the loadmaster. Boats are loaded on transport trucks bound for Port Clinton.
  • 8:30 AM
    Last bus departs for Port Clinton put-in

Port Clinton

  • Mandatory safety demonstration
  • Put-in

Perry Township

  • Lunch
  • Live music performance

Leesport

  • Take-out
  • Boat drop available with the loadmaster. Boats are loaded on transport trucks bound for Maiden Creek Basecamp.
  • Buses depart for Maiden Creek Basecamp

Maiden Creek Basecamp

Map

  • Day paddler boats available for pickup
  • 5:45–7:00 PM
    Check-in is open
  • 6:00 PM
    Hot dinner for campers
  • 7:00 PM
    The Dr. James Van Horn & Trace Pheasantry Pirate Pageant
  • 7:30 PM
    Live music performance by Showalter and The Shenanigans

Sunday

June 4

12 River Miles

We experience the twists and turns of the rarely-paddled lower Maiden Creek, before reuniting with the Schuylkill. We paddle the wave trains of Kelly's Rapid and finish the trip in Reading.

Maiden Creek Basecamp

Map

  • 7:00–8:00 AM
    Breakfast for campers
  • 7:00–8:00 AM
    Check-in is open
  • 9:00 AM
    Mandatory safety demonstration
  • Put-in

Muhlenberg Township

  • Lunch
  • Live music performance by Don Shappelle and Don Sennett

Reading

  • Take-out
  • Boat drop available with the loadmaster. Boats are loaded on transport trucks bound for Maiden Creek Basecamp.
  • Buses depart for Maiden Creek Basecamp

Maiden Creek Basecamp

Map

  • Boats available for pickup

The Dr. James Van Horn & Trace Pheasantry Pirate Pageant

Saturday, June 3 at 7:00 PM

Avast, ye sea dogs! The tides are a-turnin', bringing with 'em the most rollickin' spectacle this side of the Schuylkill – the Pirate Pageant, a beacon of hearty laughs and high spirits amid the Paddle Happy: Schuylkill extravaganza! Sponsored by the toothsmith of the high seas, Dr. James Van Horn, and the feathered nobility of Trace Pheasantry, this jamboree of jests and japes is sure to have ye laughin' harder than a parrot in a ticklin' contest! Mark yer charts for the 7 bells of the evenin' watch on Saturday, June 3. 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 with a giant hat, as befitting the captain of fun! The Pirate Pageant is more than just a sideshow, it's the pearl of Paddle Happy: Schuylkill, the finest canoe and kayak trip on the river! Don't be a landlubber, join us for a night of swashbuckling good times! Yarrr!

Frequently Asked Questions

Name Tags

Yes. We mailed your name tag in advance to save time at check-in. You still need to register.

General

All parking and camping is at our Maiden Creek Basecamp:

Quinta Las Cabanas Grove
91A Bowers Rd
Reading, PA 19605

Kids must be at least 8 years old. Everyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult.

You bet. Select the vegetarian option when you register. We'll arrange vegetarian (no meat or fish) meals for you.

Easy! Email howdy@badadventures.com and we'll get you squared away.

Refunds are subject to a 20% cancellation fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellation requests received fewer than 15 days before the first day of the trip. Credit card processing fees are nonrefundable.

Paddling

We paddle 11–12 miles each day with a midday lunch stop. Each day is a moderate, full-day paddle.

You don't need to be a professional athlete to take part! We're planning a three-day trip with 5–6 hours of recreational paddling at a relaxed touring pace each day.

There are dam portages on Friday and Saturday that each require walking a few hundred yards on uneven terrain while we help each other carry boats.

At most June water levels, in our guided, group-paddle setting, our itinerary is appropriate for beginner paddlers. Our guides love to teach paddling and we'll be happy to help you grow your skills!

Our itinerary includes moving water features. The two most significant whitewater features are "The Chutes" on Friday and Kelly's Rapid on Sunday. "The Chutes" includes a 2–foot drop over a manmade ledge. Kelly's Rapid, presents as a Class II to II+ rapid in most June water levels.

There is an option to portage around both "The Chutes" and Kelly's Rapid.

At most June water levels, in our guided, group-paddle setting, the moving water features on our itinerary are appropriate for most recreational paddlers.

Absolutely!!

You bet. Rental recreational kayaks are available for $41 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 so we can reserve an appropriately-sized boat.

Camping

We arranged group tent camping at our Maiden Creek Basecamp at Quinta Las Cabanas Grove in Reading, PA for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. A hot dinner and a breakfast are provided for each night you camp. When you register, be sure to indicate which nights you'd like to camp.

You're responsible for bringing your own camping gear.

If you camp multiple nights, you may leave your tent set up. However, we don't recommend leaving valuables unattended.

Tents must be removed and the camping area must be clean by 8:45 AM on Sunday morning.

Oh, yeah, there are showers every night!

A limited number of tents and Therm-A-Rest camping mattress are available for rental. You may request rental camping equiment by emailing howdy@badadventures.com.

It's possible! You'll need to contact Quinta Las Cabanas Grove directly at 610-926-4995 to reserve and pay for an RV site. You also need to register for camping when you register for the trip to make sure you're included in the headcount for dinners and breakfasts.

Let's do this!

Paddle Happy: Schuylkill

Thursday, June 1 to Sunday, June 4, 2023

The photo of Peacock's Lock Viaduct is by the extraordinary John Dolph.

The Paddle Happy logo was illustrated by Brian Swisher, living legend.

Copyright © 2022–2023 The Bad Adventure Company LLC. All rights reserved.