The Little Schuylkill River gets its start on the top of Broad Mountain in the Schuylkill County section of the Appalachian Mountain range. The river runs south through the county for approximately 30 miles. Along its route, the Little Schuylkill courses through towns like Hometown, McAdoo, New Ringgold, Tamaqua and Drehersville. The river’s run stops at Port Clinton where it meets with the main branch of the larger Schuylkill River.

An important little river

Prior to European settlement, the Little Schuylkill River served as crucial fishing and hunting grounds for the native Lenape people. Its original name was Tamauguay Creek, which came from the Lenape word for beaver. In the post-European settlement era, the river took on its current name, Little Schuylkill, which, translated from Dutch, means “hidden river.” It was also around this period of the early 19th century that the river became a major source of transport for anthracite coal and timber. The Little Schuylkill’s course from the top of Broad Mountain to the main branch of the Schuylkill River made it an indispensable resource for moving goods from the higher elevations into the valley.

A popular resource for recreation

All along the Little Schuylkill River’s 110 miles of watershed, outdoor enthusiasts utilize the river for a wide range of recreational activities. Over the last few decades, the river has become a popular spot for fishing, hunting, kayaking, hiking and wildlife watching. Many of the communities around the river are home to municipal parks, PA State Game Lands and Forests, State Parks and nature preserves. Hikers find their way to the river via rugged trails within the Game Lands or in parks throughout the more populated towns along the way. Paddlers can launch at two public portage locations and explore miles of mild rapids and steady riffles through towns and long stretches of forest and farmland along the river. Anglers can access the river via those same portage areas or through the State Game Lands.

Fishing The Little Schuylkill River

After decades of river cleanup efforts by local, state and federal agencies alongside environmental organizations, the Little Schuylkill began to bounce back as a productive PA trout stream. The PA Fish & Boat Commission stocks the river during the regular trout season with rainbow and brook trout. The river is also known to hold healthy populations of wild trout and smallmouth bass. While finding your way to the banks of the Little Schuylkill River proves a bit more difficult than most of NEPA’s rivers, the limited access has resulted in some of the more pristine, fish-able sections of water in the region. The river’s size, limited access, and healthy watershed ecosystems have made it one of NEPA’s prime fly-fishing destinations in recent decades.

Hiking and Wildlife Watching

Throughout the Little Schuylkill River’s watershed, you’ll find ample opportunities to explore nature and spot birds and other wildlife. Small, community parks like Willing Park in Tamaqua or the nearby Owl Creek Reservoir Recreation Area offer scenic walking trails. The Lehigh and New England Trail runs along the old railroad corridor right beside the river for about 3 miles. For a more rustic experience, you can explore trails in the PA State Game Lands #227 in Tamaqua and Weiser State Forest. And while they are not situated directly along the banks of the river, Tuscarora State Park, Locust Lake State Park and Swatara State Park are all located within just a few miles of the river.

Hitting the Water

Whether you prefer taking to the water in a kayak or canoe, the Little Schuylkill River never disappoints. Enjoy paddling through pristine stretches of flat farmland and densely-forested areas with native rhododendron populating the shoreline. Ride the swift riffles into unique urban landscapes detailing remnants of NEPA’s industrial past. And skirt alongside folded, towering mountain ridges where hawks and bald eagles circle overhead. Altogether, the river is navigable by canoe or kayak from source to mouth where it meets the big water on the main stem of the Schuylkill River.

The Little Schuylkill River runs through the heart of Schuylkill County touching many towns and cities along the way. The wild, scenic river offers plenty of opportunity for recreation like fishing for trout and bass, hiking, kayaking and canoeing and wildlife spotting. Read on to find out how you can discover, explore and enjoy the Little Schuylkill River in your area!

River Access Boat Launches & Parks

The Little Schuylkill River runs for approximately 30 miles through Schuylkill County. The river begins just north of Tamaqua and winds its way south through New Ringgold, Drehersville and meets the larger Schuylkill River in Port Clinton. Trout Fishing, kayaking and canoeing and bird watching are popular activities along the Little Schuylkill River.

Parks

Willing Park Skate and Bike Park

Public Access/Kayak & Canoe Launch

Willing Park Skate and Bike Park
Little Schuylkill River Walkway
18 Spruce St.
Tamaqua, PA 18252

Tamaqua Desilting Basin (Tamaqua Dam)
1094 PA 443
Tamaqua, PA 18252

Our rivers in Northeastern Pennsylvania provide countless opportunities for recreation, sightseeing and wildlife watching. They are the heart of the region’s bountiful ecosystem, sustaining life for humans and animals alike. And it’s important for all of us to take reasonable measures to protect them. Always practice the leave no trace principle and carry out what you carry in.

Little Schuylkill River — FAQ

• The Little Schuylkill River is an approximately 30-mile-long tributary of the Schuylkill River.
• During the anthracite coal boom era of the 19th century, the Little Schuylkill River was used in the transport of coal from the region.
• The watershed of the Little Schuylkill River covers 110 miles of residential communities and natural ecosystems.
• The Little Schuylkill River is highly-regarded as one of the region’s top trout fisheries.
• A wide-ranging diversity of animals call the Little Schuylkill River watershed home including beavers, deer, otters, herons, kingfishers and many species of birds.