July 4th Weekend -Upper/Lower Yough & Savage River
SPONSOR: Elroy Shayes : 812-343-6544
CAMPING: Tall Oaks, 544 Camp Raimo Rd., Farmington , PA (I had to pay $150 deposit to reserve the group site F7 so be sure to tell the desk you are with the Hoosiers. $15 per night. Historically we have been able to watch the Nemocolin fireworks from this campsite! )
The Class 3 Lower Yough releases every day
The Class 4/5 Upper releases Friday, Saturday & Monday The Savage releases only Sunday July 5th (Next release is in September! )
The Class 1 Middle Yough can be paddled runs every day
What better way to celebrate 250 years of American independence than paddling the same waters that shaped the nation’s founding? The Youghiogheny River near Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania is steeped in Revolutionary-era history — a young George Washington traveled through the Ohiopyle area in 1753 and again in 1754, hoping to use the river as a rapid route toward Fort Duquesne, only to be stopped by the impassable falls. Washington observed the falls and recorded they were “nearly forty feet perpendicular,” concluding the Youghiogheny “can never be made navigable.” (Hey George, watch this ! )
Just a few miles away sits Fort Necessity National Battlefield, where on July 4, 1754 — exactly 22 years to the day before American independence was declared in Philadelphia — Washington’s troops marched away after his first and only military surrender, setting off a chain of events that ultimately led to the Revolution itself. Paddling these waters in 2026 is a chance to float through history.
Of course, the river that turned back a future president and Founding Father is now one of the premier whitewater destinations in the eastern United States. Every year, over 100,000 people visit Ohiopyle to paddle the Youghiogheny, and the Lower Yough is the most popular whitewater section for good reason. The famous Lower Yough begins just below Ohiopyle Falls and flows seven miles downstream, and is one of the busiest section of whitewater east of the Mississippi River, with numerous Class Ii & III rapids that challenge and reward experienced paddlers. For those wanting something more relaxed, the Middle Yough offers Class I and II rapids ideal for flatwater or beginning whitewater kayakers or canoeists. Nestled within Ohiopyle State Park — a 20,000-acre outdoor recreation hub and gateway to the Laurel Highlands Mountains — the scenery matches the history. Celebrating America’s 250th on the Yough means honoring both the wild landscape that shaped the country and the paddling culture that has made it legendary.
If you have not done so for this year, PLEASE FILL OUT THE NEW E-WAIVER. HCKC is moving to a new electronic waiver system instead of our old paper waiver. This only needs to be completed once each year. If you have already submitted your e-waiver, you do not need to do it again until next year. If you are bringing a non-member guest, they should use this e-waiver.
HCKC E-Waiver: https://hoosiercanoeclub.org/E-Waiver/
