Swatara State Park

This take-out access point on Swatara Creek in Union Township, Lebanon County serves paddlers finishing whitewater runs on a medium-sized river with significant gradient and flow. Swatara Creek is a 73-mile stream with a total elevation drop of 1221 feet, creating an average gradient of 16.7 feet per mile, which indicates consistent Class II-III whitewater characteristics throughout much of the creek. With an average flow of 1001 cubic feet per second and velocity of 2.67 feet per second, this is an active creek suitable for kayakers and canoeists with intermediate to advanced skills, particularly during higher water seasons.

The creek's drainage basin covers 571 square miles and maintains good water volume for paddling. As a take-out point rather than a launch site, this access is positioned to allow paddlers to exit the water after completing upstream sections. The site's location in Union Township provides access to one of the more popular whitewater paddling areas in southeastern Pennsylvania. Paddlers should be prepared for the creek's steady current and the technical demands that come with the moderate gradient and flow rates typical of this waterway.