Choose from the following trips:

Mifflin Access Area to Walker Access Area (Buttonwood) Description: This trip begins on the back sides of Mifflintown and Mifflin. Below town, the setting once again becomes quieter until you reach the Port Royal river bridge (Rt. 75) several miles downstream. After passing Port Royal on the right, the river becomes a little deeper and quite slow until you reach Walker Access Area on the left, which is beside Buttonwood Campground.

Walker Access Area (Buttonwood)
to Muskrat Springs Access Area
(2 Hours)

Walker Access Area (Buttonwood) to Muskrat Springs Access Area Description: This relatively short stretch has pretty scenery marked by views of Tuscarora Mountain and lush farmland. As you leave Walker Access Area and pass Buttonwood Campground on your left, you will float past a couple stone remnants which formed the piers of a covered bridge that once linked the village of Mexico to a train station that formerly stood across the river. After rounding the bend, you will float toward and then parallel Tuscarora Mountain, a tall ridge that stretches to within a couple miles of the Maryland border. Eventually you will come to a group of docks and rental properties known as Zook and Lyter Cottages. The boat ramp at Muskrat Springs is located on the left just past the cottages.

Mifflintown Access to Mexico (Walker Access) Description: The Mifflintown Access Area is actually a couple miles up-river from the town. This section of the river passes numerous houses and private campsites on the left but remains wooded and mostly wild on the right. About a mile down-river from the access area, the river becomes wider and flows around Bell Island, which presents the paddler with a choice. If you float on the left side of the island, you will continue to pass many houses the rest of the distance to Mifflintown. The right side of the island, on the other hand, is more natural with little evidence of man until you reach the town. Bell Island appears to be wild and completely wooded; however, most of it is privately owned and contains a small newly-planted orchard in the center. There are still foundation remnants of a barn and residence that once stood on the island. Near the lower end of Bell Island, you will see a steel and concrete bridge (Rt. 35) ahead of you which links Mifflin on the right with Mifflintown on the left. Below town, the setting once again becomes quieter until you reach the Port Royal river bridge (Rt. 75) several miles downstream. After passing Port Royal on the right, the river becomes a little deeper and quite slow until you reach Walker Access Area on the left, which is beside Buttonwood Campground.

Walker Access Area (Buttonwood)
to Thompsontown Access Area
(3 Hours)

Walker Access Area (Buttonwood) to Thompsontown Access Area Description: As you leave Walker Access Area and pass Buttonwood Campground on your left, you will float past a couple stone remnants which formed the piers of a covered bridge that once linked the village of Mexico to a train station that formerly stood across the river. After rounding the bend, you will float toward and then parallel Tuscarora Mountain, a tall ridge that stretches to within a couple miles of the Maryland border. Eventually you will come to a group of docks and rental properties known as Zook and Lyter Cottages. Continue on this very quiet section of the Juniata River that parallels the northern end of Tuscarora Mountain. The river passes a couple small islands and becomes fairly wide, lined with a couple dairy farms and more wooded areas. There is reportedly an active bald eagle nest along this section, although it may be difficult to see. This section is pretty straight and slow-moving, which will allow you to see the Rt. 333 river bridge near Thompsontown long before you reach it. The Thompsontown Access Area is located just past the bridge on the left.

Narrows Access Area
to Mifflintown Access Area (Buttonwood)
(4 Hours)

Narrows Access Area to Mifflintown Access Area (Buttonwood) Description: The river continues its course through the Lewistown Narrows for a couple more miles before bending to the right and emerging into a more open landscape. Although it cannot easily be seen from the river, between the left shore and Rt. 322 there is a walking path which follows the former route of the Pennsylvania Canal, a major shipping route in the late 1800's. This path leads to the old lockhouse, which is now a museum and park, at the end of the Narrows. Near this location, there is an active bald eagle nest on the right side of the river. After emerging from the Narrows, the river then flows gently past several houses and camps on the left before coming to the Mifflintown Access Area (also on the left). Just before the access area, you may notice a small rock outcrop on the right side of the river. This area is known as Carter’s Hole, and was the scene of a tragic accident long ago. As a family of early settlers was attempting to cross the ice covered river at this location, their horse drawn wagon plunged through the ice. They drowned in the frigid water, which is said to be over 60 feet deep here, and the hole was named after them. The Mifflintown Access Area is actually a couple miles up-river from the town. This section of the river passes numerous houses and private campsites on the left but remains wooded and mostly wild on the right. About a mile down-river from the access area, the river becomes wider and flows around Bell Island, which presents the paddler with a choice. If you float on the left side of the island, you will continue to pass many houses the rest of the distance to Mifflintown. The right side of the island, on the other hand, is more natural with little evidence of man until you reach the town. Bell Island appears to be wild and completely wooded; however, most of it is privately owned and contains a small newly-planted orchard in the center. There are still foundation remnants of a barn and residence that once stood on the island. Near the lower end of Bell Island, you will see a steel and concrete bridge (Rt. 35) ahead of you which links Mifflin on the right with Mifflintown on the left. Below town, the setting once again becomes quieter until you reach the Port Royal river bridge (Rt. 75) several miles downstream. After passing Port Royal on the right, the river becomes a little deeper and quite slow until you reach Walker Access Area on the left, which is beside Buttonwood Campground.

Mifflintown Access Area to Thompsontown Access Area Description: Great for an all day experience. (Combines Mifflintown access to Buttonwood and Buttonwood to Thompsontown Access trips.) You can stop at Buttonwood for a great picnic and relaxing point and then continue on the rest of your journey. The Mifflintown Access Area is actually a couple miles up-river from the town. This section of the river passes numerous houses and private campsites on the left but remains wooded and mostly wild on the right. About a mile down-river from the access area, the river becomes wider and flows around Bell Island, which presents the paddler with a choice. If you float on the left side of the island, you will continue to pass many houses the rest of the distance to Mifflintown. The right side of the island, on the other hand, is more natural with little evidence of man until you reach the town. Bell Island appears to be wild and completely wooded; however, most of it is privately owned and contains a small newly-planted orchard in the center. There are still foundation remnants of a barn and residence that once stood on the island. Near the lower end of Bell Island, you will see a steel and concrete bridge (Rt. 35) ahead of you which links Mifflin on the right with Mifflintown on the left. Below town, the setting once again becomes quieter until you reach the Port Royal river bridge (Rt. 75) several miles downstream. After passing Port Royal on the right, the river becomes a little deeper and quite slow until you reach Walker Access Area on the left, which is beside Buttonwood Campground. As you leave Walker Access Area and pass Buttonwood Campground on your left, you will float past a couple stone remnants which formed the piers of a covered bridge that once linked the village of Mexico to a train station that formerly stood across the river. After rounding the bend, you will float toward and then parallel Tuscarora Mountain, a tall ridge that stretches to within a couple miles of the Maryland border. Eventually you will come to a group of docks and rental properties known as Zook and Lyter Cottages. Continue on this very quiet section of the Juniata River that parallels the northern end of Tuscarora Mountain. The river passes a couple small islands and becomes fairly wide, lined with a couple dairy farms and more wooded areas. There is reportedly an active bald eagle nest along this section, although it may be difficult to see. This section is pretty straight and slow-moving, which will allow you to see the Rt. 333 river bridge near Thompsontown long before you reach it. The Thompsontown Access Area is located just past the bridge on the left.

Walker Access Area (Buttonwood)
to Millerstown Access Area
(6 Hours)

Walker Access Area (Buttonwood) to Millerstown Access Area Description: As you leave Walker Access Area and pass Buttonwood Campground on your left, you will float past a couple stone remnants which formed the piers of a covered bridge that once linked the village of Mexico to a train station that formerly stood across the river. After rounding the bend, you will float toward and then parallel Tuscarora Mountain, a tall ridge that stretches to within a couple miles of the Maryland border. Eventually you will come to a group of docks and rental properties known as Zook and Lyter Cottages. Continue on this very quiet section of the Juniata River that parallels the northern end of Tuscarora Mountain. The river passes a couple small islands and becomes fairly wide, lined with a couple dairy farms and more wooded areas. There is reportedly an active bald eagle nest along this section, although it may be difficult to see. This section is pretty straight and slow-moving, which will allow you to see the Rt. 333 river bridge near Thompsontown long before you reach it. The Thompsontown Access Area is located just past the bridge on the left. Upon leaving the Thompsontown Access Area, you will pass more wooded areas and a couple small islands before the landscape opens up to reveal some small farms. Traffic noise also increases as Rt. 322 again joins the river for several miles. After you round the northern end of Tuscarora Mountain, you will come to the small borough of Millerstown on the left and the Rt. 17 river bridge. Continue down-river past Millerstown and past a public pool and private campground to the Millerstown Access Area on the left.

Lewistown Access Area to
Walker Access Area (Buttonwood)
(6 Hours)

Lewistown Access Area to Walker Access Area (Buttonwood) Description: This stretch begins in downtown Lewistown. For the first few miles the river is mostly very slow and somewhat deep, and numerous private camps dot the shoreline. As the river enters the tight valley known as the Lewistown Narrows, it becomes a little faster with some small rapids and decent-sized rocks both submerged and above the water. While there is traffic noise on this section from Rt. 322, which parallels the river, it is also very pretty with the steep wooded mountains lining both sides of the valley. The footprint of Rt. 322 follows a heavily used footpath and trade route of Indians and early settlers who once inhabited the area. The river continues its course through the Lewistown Narrows for a couple more miles before bending to the right and emerging into a more open landscape. Although it cannot easily be seen from the river, between the left shore and Rt. 322 there is a walking path which follows the former route of the Pennsylvania Canal, a major shipping route in the late 1800's. This path leads to the old lockhouse, which is now a museum and park, at the end of the Narrows. Near this location, there is an active bald eagle nest on the right side of the river. After emerging from the Narrows, the river then flows gently past several houses and camps on the left before coming to the Mifflintown Access Area (also on the left). Just before the access area, you may notice a small rock outcrop on the right side of the river. This area is known as Carter’s Hole, and was the scene of a tragic accident long ago. As a family of early settlers was attempting to cross the ice covered river at this location, their horse drawn wagon plunged through the ice. They drowned in the frigid water, which is said to be over 60 feet deep here, and the hole was named after them. The Mifflintown Access Area is actually a couple miles up-river from the town. This section of the river passes numerous houses and private campsites on the left but remains wooded and mostly wild on the right. About a mile down-river from the access area, the river becomes wider and flows around Bell Island, which presents the paddler with a choice. If you float on the left side of the island, you will continue to pass many houses the rest of the distance to Mifflintown. The right side of the island, on the other hand, is more natural with little evidence of man until you reach the town. Bell Island appears to be wild and completely wooded; however, most of it is privately owned and contains a small newly-planted orchard in the center. There are still foundation remnants of a barn and residence that once stood on the island. Near the lower end of Bell Island, you will see a steel and concrete bridge (Rt. 35) ahead of you which links Mifflin on the right with Mifflintown on the left. Below town, the setting once again becomes quieter until you reach the Port Royal river bridge (Rt. 75) several miles downstream. After passing Port Royal on the right, the river becomes a little deeper and quite slow until you reach Walker Access Area on the left, which is beside Buttonwood Campground.

Click here for a state map and guide to the Juniata River Water Trail.
(PDF file requires Adobe Reader.)

Rates include free shuttle and use of our clean restrooms and showers after your day on the river.
Times are approximate and based on a leisurely pace, but can vary depending on the depth and flow of the river.
Group rates in effect when renting six (6) or more canoes or kayaks. Call or e-mail us for group rates.
Prices are subject to change. Reservations are suggested.
When reserving a canoe or kayak for a Saturday, the full rental fee must be sent as a deposit.
To reserve any other day, a $10.00 per craft deposit is required.

Livery Service
without Canoe or Kayak Rental

Livery service is available at a reasonable fee for those who provide their own canoes or kayaks. Fees are based upon the distance from our point of origin at Buttonwood Campground.

Any other trips are charged at the rate of $1.00 per mile.

Buttonwood Campground & Livery Policies

• No Refunds: Please be sure to reserve only as many canoes/kayaks as you need, as we have no refund policy. The only exception would be if the river is very high and we determine that it is unsafe to paddle.
• Alcohol and Drugs: We reserve the right to refuse to rent craft to any person or group who is intoxicated. No refunds will be available. No hard liquor is allowed. There is a ZERO drug tolerance.
• Release of Liability: Every adult must read and sign a release of liability before starting the trip, and a parent or guardian must sign a release form for minors. We do not assume responsibility for the safety of persons while using our equipment or for the safety of anyone in our campground.
• Departure Times: You should plan to arrive at least a half hour before your trip leaves to allow time to sign in, select equipment, and view our safety / instructional video.

Double your fun! Combine your canoe or kayak trip with camping!
Click here for campsite and cabin rates and information.

Travel Directions

Please use the interactive map, below, to obtain travel directions from any point of origin.
Use the tools to zoom, pan, and to switch between map, satellite and terrain views.