City: Buena Vista, PA
County: Allegheny County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 40.27747334, -79.79747112
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Run
I-II
Youghiogheny - 9. (River Road, Dawson to Port Vue Launch, McKeesport)
Current Conditions
--
• - cfs
Youghiogheny River at Connellsville, PA
Whitewater Runs on Youghiogheny River
6 runsDifficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
I-II
This location is on this run
9. (River Road, Dawson to Port Vue Launch, McKeesport)
38.0 mi
IV
Downstream from here (35.1 mi to put-in)
5. Ohiopyle Falls
0.3 mi
I-II
Upstream from here (18.8 mi from take-out)
8. (Connellsville River Park to River Road, Dawson)
5.4 mi
II+
Upstream from here (22.4 mi from take-out)
7. Bottom
11.5 mi
III
Upstream from here (32.3 mi from take-out)
6. Lower
7.2 mi
25 ft/mi
II
Upstream from here (35.1 mi from take-out)
4. Middle
9.1 mi
11 ft/mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Buena Vista offers a convenient launch point on the Youghiogheny River in southwestern Pennsylvania's Appalachian region. The facility includes a boat ramp with free parking for approximately 10 vehicles and permits overnight parking. This is a popular access point along the 75-mile Youghiogheny River Water Trail, located near mile 12 of the paddling corridor.
**Important:** A Pennsylvania Launch Permit is required to use this facility. Paddlers can use this as a starting point for various trip distances—a 3-mile float to Cedar Creek Park offers a shorter option if the full 12+ mile section feels too ambitious. The surrounding area is part of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, reflecting the region's industrial and cultural significance.
**Important:** A Pennsylvania Launch Permit is required to use this facility. Paddlers can use this as a starting point for various trip distances—a 3-mile float to Cedar Creek Park offers a shorter option if the full 12+ mile section feels too ambitious. The surrounding area is part of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, reflecting the region's industrial and cultural significance.
Nearby Recreation Areas
Rivers Of Steel National Heritage Area
Located within