Outfitting the PA Wilds: Pale Whale Canoe Fleet
- by Britt Madera
- July 27, 2023
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Part of the Outfitting the PA Wilds series
Pale Whale Canoe Fleet is the premier livery for canoe, kayak, inner tube, and river raft rentals on the ‘Wild & Scenic’ Clarion River in the Cook Forest and the Ancients landscape of the PA Wilds!
Open daily from May through September, Pale Whale has a variety of trips to help you make the most of your outing. Canoe or kayak trips (4 or 10 miles), single tube trips (2.5 or 4 miles), and river raft trips (4 miles) offer travelers the opportunity to experience the river up close and personal.
Pale Whale and other waterway outfitters allow travelers the ease of exploring the region without having to worry about bringing a canoe or kayak along with them. Residents who live close to the Clarion River also appreciate being able to rent equipment without having to find a place to store it at their own homes. However, if you do have your own equipment and just need transportation and a dock, Pale Whale also offers transport services.
You can check pricing and guidelines for canoe, kayak, tubes and river rafts on the Pale Whale Canoe Fleet website’s trip page.
Although “canoe” is right in the name of Pale Whale Canoe Fleet and is one of their main rentals, tubing is also popular on the Clarion River in Cook Forest. Families and friends often gather together to spend the afternoon gently floating along the water and enjoying each other’s company.
Pale Whale is careful after what equipment they offer, and they thoughtfully made the choice to offer only single tubes, not doubles. They say that single tubes are of better quality for river use. Single tubes are for one person only, regardless of age. However, if you’d like to float along with a friend and stay connected to them on the river, you may bring rope or buy it at Pale Whale for $3 to tie the inner tubes together.
Ready to paddle (or float) with the Pale Whale? Sign up for the trip of your choice. Check Pale Whale Canoe Fleet’s daily Facebook post for available trips.
Make sure you are ready to go (go to the restroom, change into river-appropriate clothes, and apply your sunscreen). Then Pale Whale will load you into a van to take you to the launch site. You’ll float or paddle back to the private dock where you started. Pale Whale makes the experience easy and fun!
Want to bring Fido? You can even bring your dog with you on a trip with Pale Whale Canoe Fleet, with some restrictions. Your dog must be able to ride safely without issues with other people and other dogs while being transported to the launch site. The pet fee is $5 per dog regardless of size. You must report that you are taking a dog when you sign up. Pale Whale does not have PFDs for dogs, so you must bring your own if you wish for your pet to wear one.
Pale Whale Canoe Fleet is a Field Guide member in the Experience Makers category of the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania. Learn more about Pale Whale and leave them a review or recommendation on their WCO profile.
About the Outfitting the PA Wilds series:
Each Thursday, the PA Wilds Are Calling blog will spotlight an outfitter that is owned and operated within the PA Wilds, helping you explore in a safe yet unforgettable way. The beauty of the PA Wilds is evident in its vast spaces of public lands and scenic waterways. With all of that open space, it’s easy to find an outdoor experience to enjoy! We’re fortunate that the PA Wilds not only has a wealth of outdoor experiences, but also bountiful outfitter businesses that can help you make the most of your adventures.
