French Creek in Pennsylvania

Trip Overview

After paddling the French Creek the day before, we decided to come back and do the next section. We put in at the PFBC access site in Seagertown, PA and paddled through Meadville, and took out at PFBC Wilson Shutes access site.

The section of the creek was much more enjoyable than the section above it. There was virtually no deadwater paddling.

There is a nice current even in the deep sections in Meadville. There are a few sandy/rocky shoreline areas where you can pull off to stretch your legs. The scenery is quite dismal in Meadville, but as soon as you are out of town, it gets nice again. The creeks runs alongside the Ernst Trail in Meadville, and it was fun to watch the cyclists and runners up on the trail.

8.3 miles as the crow flies, and 15 miles as the creek flows, average speed 4.7 MPH, max speed 8.4 MPH. It took us just under 3 hours, and we weren't paddling very hard.

Accommodations:

No facilities at either site. Just a parking lot and a gravel ramp

Fees:

PFBC launch permits are required for access site usage

Directions:

Put in at PFBC access site on Rt. 6/19, just south of Seagertown. Take out at PFBC access site on Wilson Shutes Rd, just south of Meadville. Wilson Shutes Rd. can be found off Rt. 322 a few miles south of Meadville, on the west side of 322.

Resources:

None. Used GPS for speed and distance info