West Branch

June 9–11, 2023

A new, musical river trip from Bad Adventures

What makes exploring an exquisite section of Pennsylvania’s West Branch of the Susquehanna with new and old friends even better? Live music at every stop!

We hand selected a lineup from the region’s best musical talent. This is an entirely new type of river adventure.

Join me, the Bad Adventures crew, and your favorite river rats for a weekend on the West Branch. Register today!

Matt Stan, Bad Adventures founder

Presented With

Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy logo

Passionate about supporting the environmental well-being and recreational needs of the region? Learn about and support Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy's work at npcweb.org.

Live Music Includes

Kj Reimensnyder-Wagner

Kj Reimensnyder-Wagner

Van Wagner

Van Wagner

Don Shappelle + Don Sennett

Don Shappelle + Don Sennett

Paddle One Day or Two!

  • Guided River Trip

  • Live Music

  • Shuttle

  • Catered Lunch

  • T-Shirt + Boat Sticker

$109

per day*

Optional Camping

  • Tent Camping in Montgomery, PA

  • Hot Dinner

  • Breakfast

  • Live Evening Music

  • Fire Pits

$60

per night*

*Plus credit card processing.

Friday

June 9

Reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and throw down some Paddle Happy branded cornhole on our kickoff night!

Montgomery

Map

  • 3:00–7:15 PM
    Check-in is open
  • 6:00 PM
    Hot catered dinner is served for campers
  • 7:30 PM
    Performance by Kj Reimensnyder-Wagner
  • 10:00 PM
    Quiet hours begin

Saturday

June 10

13 River Miles

We begin paddling on a section without roads or other signs of civilization, just big pools and gentle drops.

Montgomery

Map

  • 7:00–8:00 AM
    Breakfast for campers

Montoursville

Map

  • 8:00–9:15 AM
    Check-in open
  • 8:00–9:15 AM
    Rental kayaks available for pick-up at put-in
  • 9:30 AM
    Mandatory safety demonstration

Muncy

  • Catered lunch
  • Performance by Van Wagner

Montgomery

Map

  • Buses depart for the put-in after all boats are off the water
  • 6:00 PM
    Hot catered dinner is served for campers
  • 7:30 PM
    Performance by Tommy Patten
  • 10:00 PM
    Quiet hours begin

Sunday

June 11

15 River Miles

On our final day together, we paddle through one adorable river town after the next. We shed tears and promise to see each other again next year.

Montgomery

Map

  • 7:00–8:00 AM
    Breakfast for campers
  • 8:00–9:15 AM
    Check-in open
  • 8:00–9:15 AM
    Rental kayaks available for pick-up at the put-in
  • 9:00 AM
    All camping equipment must be taken down
  • 9:30 AM
    Mandatory safety demonstration

Watsontown

  • Catered lunch
  • Performance by Don Shappelle + Don Sennett

Take-Out

  • Buses depart for the put-in after all boats are off the water

Frequently Asked Questions

General

We're capping registration at 175. I (Matt Stan here) anticipate that the paddle will sell out. Consider registering early.

Check-in for camping, as well as for paddlers arriving on Sunday morning is at Montgomery Park.

Check-in on Saturday morning (the first day of the paddle) is at the Montoursville Boat Launch. It's at the end of Mill St in Montoursville, PA. Check-in is open from 8:00 to 9:15 AM.

Please note: we are NOT using the PA Fish and Boat Ramp on Greevey Rd in Montoursville. That's a different put-in.

Unless special arrangements are made, children must be at least 8 years old to participate. Experienced paddlers may request special permission to bring a child under age 8 by emailing team@badadventures.com. Everyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult.

You bet. If you select the vegetarian meal option during registration, we'll arrange vegetarian (no meat or fish) meals for you.

We're unable to make meal substitutions to accommodate food allergies, a gluten-free diet, or a full-vegan diet. If your needs are unlikely to be met by the food provided, consider packing your own food to supplement what's provided.

Paddling

On Saturday, we paddle 13-miles with a lunch stop a bit past half way. It's a mild full-day paddle with opportunities to stop for a break or a swim.

On Sunday, we paddle about 15-miles with a lunch stop just before half way. If the weather is conducive, we'll take an afternoon swim break stop.

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

It's A-OK if you're not an experienced paddler! Our guides love to teach paddling. We'll be happy to help bring you up to speed.

In our guided, group-paddle setting, the itinerary we have planned is appropriate for a beginner paddler.

A couple sections of our itinerary have mild waves that are fun to paddle through. In our guided, group-paddle setting, the itinerary is appropriate for beginners.

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 team@badadventures.com after you register so we can reserve an appropriately-sized boat.

No problem. Just send an email to team@badadventures.com. We'll make the change and send you a link to submit payment for your rental.

Camping

We've arranged group tent camping at Riverside Campground in Montgomery, PA for Friday night and Saturday night. 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 both 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 9:00 AM on Sunday morning.

Oh, yeah, there are hot showers at the campground!

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

It's possible! You'll need to contact Riverside Campground directly at 570-547-6289 to reserve and pay for an RV site. You'll 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.

There are numerous hotels in Williamsport near our put-in at the Montoursville Boat Launch. The Comfort Inn Williamsport or Hampton Inn & Suites Williamsport-Faxon Exit may be good choices.

Alternately, you may be able to arrange a cabin through Riverside Campground by calling 570-547-6289.

If you'd like to be included in the headcount for dinner and breakfast, you must register for camping even if you don't plan to camp.

Let's do this!

Paddle Happy: West Branch

Friday, June 9 to Sunday, June 11, 2023

Photography is by the one-and-only Mister Cody Goddard.

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

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