Floating & Fishing on the Yellow Breeches Creek

The world-renowned Yellow Breeches stretches 56 miles—originating in Michaux State Forest and wanderingly weaving through farmland, wooded areas, and suburbs, until it joins the Susquehanna River near New Cumberland. With nine access points within 10 miles of Messiah Lifeways at Messiah Village, the limestone creek is a convenient and recreational way to celebrate warmer days.

TRY THESE TUBING TRAILS:

Messiah University to McCormick Park

Going with the flow of the water, this 3.5-mile trail will take you approximately three to four hours from start to finish. Pack some snacks or lunch, and as you pass Simpson Park 2.5 miles in, stop for a picnic! After you get back on your float at Simpson Park, you’ll have 1.1 miles left until you reach McCormick Park.

Messiah University to Liberty Forge

If you’re looking to make a whole day of it, this 7.7 mile trail will take approximately eight hours, not counting stops. We suggest stopping at Simpson Park for a packed picnic lunch and floating to dinner along the breeches at Grappling Crab Shack—located approximately 4.5 miles from Simpson Park—before making the last less than 1-mile trek to Liberty Forge.

The Grappling Crab Shack has picnic tables out back and everything from steamed blue crabs (must pre-order) and gourmet crab cakes to cajun jambalaya and fries on its menu. Plan your float accordingly, however, as they close at 6:00 pm Monday–Saturday and 5:00 pm on Sunday.

Liberty Forge Trip

Liberty Forge Golf Course offers the only full-service float experience in Central PA. For the price of $20 per person, you can rent a tube, a personal flotation device, and receive shuttle transportation to the drop-off location—at the bridge where Lisburn Road becomes Brenneman Drive—that will float you back to Liberty Forge in two hours. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance, and services run all week from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

FAVORITE FISHING SPOT:

Spanglers Mill – 1425 Spanglers Mill Road, Camp Hill, 17011

Less than half a mile from the land that will become Messiah Lifeways’ new campus, this fishing spot offers ample parking, shore fishing, and an ADA-accessible fishing pier.

Throw your best fishing cast and see what you can catch! The following fish, among others, can be found in the Yellow Breeches: brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, wild trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, and flathead catfish.