The Most Charming River Towns In Pennsylvania
The river towns of Pennsylvania are the heartbeat of the Commonwealth. They are hubs of community, standing witness to the love of outdoor recreation and historic preservation that are hallmarks of Pennsylvania living. Follow the Susquehanna River to cozy municipal parks and local fishing spots. Plan an extended river sojourn in Schuylkill Haven. Feel refreshed and close to nature at a camp ground in Mahaffey or Mifflintown. The river towns of Pennsylvania keep residents fulfilled and visitors coming back year after year.
Danville
A river town sitting on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River, Danville is known for its rich Indigenous history, contributions to the iron industry, and access to beautiful outdoor spaces. The Susquehannock and Iroquois people inhabited the area at different times until the Treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1768. William Montgomery bought the land that would eventually become the Pennsylvania borough, and his son, Daniel, is the town's namesake. History buffs can explore Danville's General William Montgomery House, an original structure built in 1792 by William that is now a museum owned by the Montour County Historical Society. The many residential and commercial businesses downtown comprise the Danville Historic District, a walkable area featured on the National Register of Historic Places.
Because of its proximity to the river, kayaking is a common pastime for residents and visitors. Floating down the Susquehanna when the water is relatively low, it is possible to see stone structures built by Indigenous people long ago. Called eel weirs, these v-shaped traps were used to catch eel as they swam through the gradually narrowing stones. The Danville Eel Weir is located in the Susquehanna River just downstream of the Riverside Municipal Access. One of the most celebrated resources in Danville is the Montour Preserve. It surrounds the man-made Lake Chillisquaque and features a fishing pier, boat launch, miles of trails, and even a fossil pit, accessible to the community for free.
Mahaffey
This small borough of a few hundred people is a welcoming river town on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. A short distance from the headwaters of the West Branch in Cherry Tree, Mahaffey is perhaps best known for being close to the McGees Mills Covered Bridge that crosses the river. Even though it is over 150 years old, it is still open to traffic. Locals enjoy fishing and relaxing on the riverbank nearby. Chest Creek also borders Mahaffey and meets the Susquehanna at the Northwest section of town. Cold-water fish are abundant, so anglers looking to catch well-stocked rainbow trout at this tributary are in luck.
The rural backdrop of the borough provides the perfect setting for camping trips. Mahaffey Camp & Conference Center is a beautiful space that offers campsites, and RV park, and riverside cabins, that can be reserved for events and group gatherings. It's even possible to purchase a cabin on camp property. About three and a half miles away from Mahaffey is Chess Falls Campground. The RV rental site is open from May to October and hosts family-friendly activities throughout the season. Pavilions can also be rented ahead of time, or on their own for those who just want to spend a day outdoors near the river.
Midland
The Ohio River begins in the area around Pittsburgh, and less than an hour drive away is the small borough of Midland. Parks are abundant here, and the borough embraces it. Lincoln Park, Midland Municipal Park, Midland Athletic Field, and Ohio Avenue Park are all green spaces available for residents and travelers alike. Further, a short drive across the border is Beaver Creek State Park. A natural area just across the border into Ohio, with plenty of hiking trails, picnic tables, canoe access, and a historic pioneer village.
Like its larger neighbor, Midland had a steel-driven economy through the early-to-mid 20th century. Wanting to revitalize the borough in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Midland opened the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center. A treasure in the heart of Beaver County, the center hosts more than 100 events a year for patrons who visit from across Pennsylvania and the surrounding area. They also conduct the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, a pioneering education that is arts-focused in its curriculum and dedicated to enriching student lives.
Schuylkill Haven
Over in East Central Pennsylvania, the Schuylkill River flows from Pottsville to Philadelphia. Along its path, it carves through the borough of Schuylkill Haven. Originally inhabited by the Indigenous Lenape, settlers first arrived in what would become the borough in the mid 18th century. The borough is proud of its location on the river, and there is an annual Schuylkill River Sojourn hosted by Schuylkill River Greenways that takes kayakers from Schuylkill Haven to Philadelphia over seven days. Paddlers get to camp each night and meals are provided by local organizations as the group traverses from town to town.
Schuylkill Haven is also home to several parks in town for anyone wishing to stay local. Island Park is arguably at the center of activity in Schuylkill Haven. Most people launch their kayaks and canoes from the convenient boat launch there, and numerous townsfolk enjoy the ball fields and pavilion on summer afternoons. Swans, park benches, and serene water is the reason people are drawn to another town staple, Bubeck Park. Stoyer's Dam creates a fishable pond that is home to swans Abby and Rambo. Families like to use the charcoal grills and spend time at the playground. Schuylkill Haven is a river town through and through.
Mifflintown
The Juniata County seat is Mifflintown, a small borough situated on the Juniata River. The rolling rural hills of the Juniata River Valley are a scenic landscape by which kayakers, canoers, and fisherman find rest and relaxation. Its river heritage is on full display at nearby Canal Park. The former Juniata Branch of the Pennsylvania Canal is now a beautiful public trail. Visitors can see the preserved canal Lift Lock No. 13 there and the restored lock keepers house that was built in 1860. A few miles south in Port Royal, covered bridge enthusiasts can check out both the Pomeroy/Academia and Lehman's Covered Bridges.
Many of the locals like to enjoy Buttonwood Campground on East River Road. Visitors love the convenience of the camp store and laundromat, pet-friendly environment, and RV service should technical difficulties arise. Families can feel safe staying on the property without having to sacrifice fun, either, as the campground offers activities like fishing, tubing, laser tag, and pedal carts. Locals and people on day trips to Mifflintown often stop off at Myers Park on Schweyer Avenue to use the playground or visit the Juniata County Library across the street.
Lehighton
A tributary of the Delaware River, the Lehigh River allowed the namesake borough of Lehighton to thrive during the early industrialization of Eastern Pennsylvania. The hills and valleys of the region are indicative of its location as a part of the Appalachian Mountains, with access to the renowned trail in nearby Palmerton. The river itself is known to fisherman far and wide for its abundance of trout, pike, pickerel, and catfish. Lake fishers also enjoy Beltzville Lake at Lehighton's Beltzville State Park. The lake is stocked with warmwater fish, with trout stocking along Pohopoco Creek that feeds the lake. Motorized and self-propelled watercraft are welcome on the lake as well.
In town, historic self-guided walking tours are encouraged by the Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance. Landmarks on the tour include the Baer Silk Mill and Zimmerman's Dairy. The Baer family, who owned the mill, are the donors of the land that eventually became present-day Baer Memorial Park. The park features ball courts, access to Mahoning Creek, and a swimming pool. Downtown maintains a close connection to the outdoor recreation everyone has come to expect from the borough with the Lehighton Trailhead. It gives visitors direct access to the D&L Trail, a heritage corridor path that runs from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol.
New Hope
New Hope is a small but thriving borough on the Delaware River in Bucks County. The town played a role in the Revolutionary War: George Washington lodged here the night before his famous Delaware crossing, which launched from Washington Crossing a few miles downriver. New Hope was, and is, widely regarded as the halfway point between Philadelphia and New York City. Today, the borough is a very popular tourist destination and a welcoming home for residents. The New Hope Historical Society offers walking tours of the landmarks, which includes Lock No. 11 and the Locktender's House Museum on Main Street.
The borough has been involved in theater for quite some time, with the Bucks County Playhouse remaining a staple of theater culture. Many well-known plays were tested at the playhouse before heading to Broadway, such as Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park. Farms and farmers markets dot the landscape around New Hope, adding a layer of warmth and welcome to the atmosphere. At Peace Valley Lavender Farm, fields of lavender plants can be picked for a personal bouquet in the summer season. In the off-season, lavender products can still be purchased from the gift shop onsite. For fruits and veggies, Shady Brook Farm offers pick-your-own fields from June to September. Wagon rides take visitors from the farmers market out to beautiful rolling crops that change from spring to fall.
Where Life Flows Freely
Life in the river towns of Pennsylvania occurs at a pace that feels natural, hopeful, and at one with nature. The abundance of state parks and green spaces fuels a desire to commune with the things that keep people grounded. Communities preserve their history and look forward to enriching the lives of the next generation through arts and culture. There are a lot of rivers with which to connect and explore. But that is the best part. The character and curiosity that embody these communities flow freely like the rivers they call home.
