Paddling Through The Juniata River Is A Magical Pennsylvania Adventure That Will Light Up Your Soul

A day on the water is just so good for the soul. Whether we're on a leisurely float in a tube or meandering in a kayak, we really can't find a better way to spend a few hours or an entire day. Fortunately, Pennsylvania has several paddling routes that make getting on the water easy and fun. For a magical Pennsylvania adventure, paddle along the Juniata River.

A leisurely paddle along the Juniata River offers an ideal way to spend a few hours away from the pressures of daily life.

Scoring an easy rating, the Juniata River Trail from Lewistown to Mifflintown spans just 10.4 miles. Depending on how fast you paddle, you can finish it in just over four hours.

However, that's just one portion of the longer trail that travels 142 miles from Tyrone to Duncannon.

If you have a blast paddling this shorter stretch of the water trail, you can explore the rest in smaller chunks, too.

While you can paddle the trail any time of the year, the best times are usually March through October. The scenery is particularly mesmerizing during the peak of the fall foliage.

The larger trail passes Canoe Creek State Park, about 20 miles from Tyrone, where countless bats hibernate in the winter. If you paddle by or visit on a June, July, or August evening, you can watch the bats fly above the park.

Before you slip your kayak or canoe into the river, however, be prepared for a few things. The water trail can get really busy, so expect a lot of traffic, especially during the warmer months.

You may feel like you're away from it all, but at some points, you'll likely be able to hear traffic noises from the nearby highway.

Some kayakers report that their cell service worked throughout the entire 10-mile trail.

Have you gone paddling down the Juniata River on a Pennsylvania adventure? Do you have any advice for other adventurers? Let us know in the comments! For another epic adventure, visit one of the most beautiful state parks in Pennsylvania.