Chupacabra Canoe

The Clarion River…North West Central PA…early August 2025. The river has been a challenge for us before and ended the careers of several paddlers in the lot that would become Chupacabra Canoe. We haven’t been back since 2017, and while we don’t hesitate to claim our paddling prowess has expanded since then, is there a better way to prove it, then to take on our “river of doubt”?

In a break from tradition, Chupacabra Canoe took paddles to the water later than our normal Father’s Day weekend. Read on for our experience. Details at the end.

Buckaloon’s Day never disappoints. The trip to the launch site is full of excitement. Even after arrival, the excitement continues to build as the parade of fathers, sons, uncles, and close friends gathers the group that will take to the water the next day. A quick set up of camp, a bite, and some comradery around the fire; the trip is off to a great start!

(Interested in the history of Buckaloon’s Day, read my previous work here: https://chupacabracanoe.wordpress.com/2024/12/08/what-is-buckaloons-day/)

Launch Day

After a slight delay, launch day festivities commenced. Included were moving transportation… one vehicle at the restock point and all others to the take out…, stowing gear in the canoes, and some last-minute canoe pairings. In the early afternoon, August 4, we launched from Lazy River. Tim McClain’s operation helped facilitate our trip and proved invaluable in making the trip successful.

Paddling

Usually, paddling the Clarion in August doesn’t provide the water level to support a loaded out canoe (it is recommended to paddle late spring/ early summer), but with some favorable rain, the river held up, just like Tim advised. And while there was some bottoming out, most notably at Hallton (mile 19.5 from Ridgeway), the river provided a nice blend of good flow and a few challenging spots. Not enough to really cause a concern for the seasoned Chupacabra, but enough to keep us interested.

DAY 1

We had planned to make our first camp at Portland Mills, but with the late start, we came upon a campsite just past Connerville Run near Dog Hollow (between mile 4 and mile 5). This site, and the others on the trip were well established with enough square footage to handle our group of fourteen. Camping must be kept to river right in the Allegheny National Forest. River left is state game lands… no camping. Fun Fact:  PA is home to the largest free roaming elk herd in the Northeast US, but I’m sure you knew that. 

DAY 2

Only going a few miles on launch day, we needed to have a good run on Tuesday to make up distance. It was a great day on the river. The river was running well, and we had no issues making up the lost time and getting back on schedule. Fishes were jumping, and the number of bald eagles we saw soaring overhead had me screaming “Merica”. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any elk, but we did see a few deer, snakes, and turtles. Being a mid-week excursion, we didn’t come across more than a pair of kayakers all week.

The August days are hot, but the nights cooled off better than me after a pour of bourbon. Our second night, we camped between the Y and Z rapids in the X Y Z rapid run starting at mile 15. This campsite rivals the best we have seen on the Susquehanna or the Allegheny, a true gem. 

DAY 3

It was a tough decision for me to leave the campsite after only one night. It was perfect for a stay over camp. But the decision was made to move on, we moved on.

Just past the Z rapids (of the aforementioned X Y Z rapids), I noticed another large campsite. Noted for future reference. 

As we moved past the Z rapids, we found a nice rope swing to take a quick jump into the river. If you ever decide to go, check it out.

We arranged for a re-stock point on day three, Wednesday. Prior to launch, we staged a vehicle at the canoe launch at Hallton (Mile 19 and change). This provided us the opportunity to ice up our coolers and take a short trip to Marienville for some much needed beverage. Cap’n Canoe does a phenomenal job stowing dry ice and ice bags in his humongoid Lifetime Coolers (made in the USA). After about an hour, we pushed off again.

As we made the turn out of Hallton, the river became shallow, and we struggled to float the laden Paluskis through the quarter mile stretch. However, we soon were back on the float looking for our next campsite.

My trepidation of leaving the previous campsite was soon overcome with the discovery of our Wednesday campsite. It was unique in that the availability sites for tents was a tiered setup. The tents were tight together, but the space for the fire was plenty accommodating for the 14 of us. This would be the traditional “overnight” camp. This has become a tradition on a Chupacabra trip and it makes the trips more relaxing. A day off from packing up canoes means the opportunity to sleep in and enjoy the river and the Allegheny Forest.

DAY 4

At the overnight camp, the youngest Chupes (The Tick, HamBone, and Dog Bite) took the opportunity to practice paddling a canoe while gathering firewood from the opposite shore. They did amazingly well, if we could only get them to participate when it counts.

A midday float on the river was a nice break from the heat of the day. Walking the River Road up-river about a half mile, we floated back to camp. The air was warm, and the cool river felt great!   BeerCanoeist tried out the “Krap Strap” while others used the Das Boot method. Both are effective! MilkMan tried a nap in his hammock. Who knew SuasageHound was such a master of knots?

Day 5

I always feel a bit of anxiety on TakeOut Day. Our trip would soon be coming to an end. We break camp for the last time and MilkMan puts us on the river with a bang! The final float on Friday was uneventful but relaxing. We take in our last hours on the river and we come upon more and more civilization as we approach our take out at the Millstone Canoe Launch. 

In a flurry of activity, canoes are emptied, vehicles are loaded, and the canoes are tied down for the road back to civilization and the normal routine. The Millstone Launch was busy with other river goers mostly in Kayaks and tubes. In less than an hour, we are saying farewells, and make our way out of the river valley, back to I-80, into Ohio and back home. 

Trip Details

Dates August 4 to August 8, 2025.

Total Miles 32

Overall Rating: Excellent

Launch: Lazy River Canoe Launch (Mile 0)

Restock point – Hallton canoe launch (Mile 19.5)

26 min drive to Marienville 

Hallton Rd North (SR 3002) to Laurel Mill Road West (SR 3002) turns to Loleta Rd (SR 3002) to Rt 66 in Marienville 

Dollar General 

25 Min drive to Ridgeway

Turn East on SR 3002

ACE / Dollar General / Etc.

Take out: Millstone Canoe Launch (between Mile 29 and 30)

Resources:

Outfitter: LazyRiverCanoeRental – Tim McClain

Canoe Rentals at Lazy River Canoe Rental

Map:

Kayaking | Kayak and Canoe PaddlersTopographic River Maps | Cowansville

Camping – River right

Buckaloons Day – Lazy River Canoe Rental campground

Day 1 (Mon) – ⅔ mile past railroad bridge just after Connerville Run across from Dog Hollow

Day 2 (Tues) – between Y and Z rapids Excellent campsite. There is another just past the Z

Day 3 (Weds / Thur) – pass Panther Run / just at mile 24

NOTE: Shallows at Hallton / BellTown

Menu (shared by Rubber Ducky, Beer Canoeist, JStroke, Cap’n Canoe, Firestick)

Sun – Subway (Eat Fresh)

Mon – Mahi / Halibut / Salmon; Seasoned Rice

Tues – NY Strip / Baked Potato (MilkMan Style) / Grilled Sweet corn

Wed – Bone-in pork loin chops / Roasted Sweet Potato / Roasted Apple and Onion 

Thurs – Beef loin with spinach, parmesan, mushroom, lemon / Roasted red potatoes

Gear

5 – Paluski 16’4” Passage 

1- Grumman 19”

Paddles – Various wood / composite / plastic 

Various coolers (Lifetime 28, Yeti, Rtic)

Participants: