Troop 525 from Kittanning after conquering 100 miles of the Allegheny River!
Scout Trips
Over the years we've helped dozens of Boy and Girl Scout troops from around the country plan float trips on the Allegheny River. We know a lot of work goes into organizing and executing these trips. We also know that these are no ordinary float trips – they are an opportunity to teach lessons and practice skills, and are an experience most Scouts will remember for their rest of their lives.
We want your troop’s trip on the Allegheny River to be a successful one, which is why we've dedicated this section to your trip planning. Below we hope you’ll find answers to your questions and tips and ideas on how to make your Allegheny River adventure as safe, exciting and interesting as possible. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you've got further questions.
Services exclusively to Scouts
YOU BUILD THE CAMPFIRE, WE'LL PROVIDE THE STORYTELLER: Back by popular demand, Scout leaders can now arrange to have a local storyteller meet them at their river camp site to spin true tales of yesteryear around the campfire.
This service – offered only to Scout troops that rent canoes through our livery– came about a few years ago when the Pittsburgh District of the Boy Scouts set up a trip with us. We were hammering out plans with one of the Scout leaders when he asked if we knew any local storytellers. The Allegheny River has a rich history, from the Native Americans who used to live in villages along the river’s banks, to a Revolutionary War battle fought on one of the river’s islands, to adventurous pilots who moved massive logs down the waterway for the lumber industry. The Pittsburgh Scout leader thought it would be neat to tell some of those stories around the campfire. We agreed. We sent a local history buff down to meet the troops one night – and the response from parents and kids was awesome.
We have now tapped into the talent at our local storytelling guild to provide this service to Scout troops who request it. The only caveat is you must request this service in advance, you must be renting canoes through our livery, and you must camp at Buckaloons campground (conveniently located along the river). Our storyteller, who is part of the storytelling guild and quite the history buff, will arrive at your campsite dressed in true pioneer fashion and tell tales of long ago that your troops will remember for years to come.
Scout Trip FAQ's
Do you have a liability form that is required for our trip? Yes. Our liability form must be signed by each individual going on the trip (adult and child). Anyone under 18 is required to have a parent or guardian signature. Getting a jump-start on this paperwork speeds up the check-in process on the day of your trip. Please download the form here.
Do you offer a Scout discount? Yes. Our standard Scout discount is 10%.
Do you offer any other discounts for Scouts besides the standard? Yes. If your group has a tax ID number, you can receive another 6% off your trip. Proof of exempt number is required. In certain circumstances, other discounts may apply (spring/fall trips, 25 or more vessels, 6 or more days, etc). Please inquire for more details.
Do you have a 50-mile trip for Scouts? Absolutely. Scouts can earn their 50-mile badge on the Allegheny River through our livery. The trip starts at Kinzua Dam and ends in President (52-miles).
We'd like to hike while on our float trip. Is that possible? Absolutely. There are a couple trails that can be picked up via the Allegheny River, one of which takes you through the Allegheny National Forest. All of these trails are included in the Allegheny River Paddling Guide.
We have a large group. Can you recommend any camping spots along the river? Yes. We spend countless hours on the river every year to make sure we can assist you in planning your trip. There are a number of islands that can accommodate large groups. Again, the Allegheny River Paddling Guide is a great planning tool when we're working out your float plan.
Can we drink the river water? Even though the Allegheny has been rated one of the nation’s cleanest and most scenic rivers, wildlife officials still strongly advise against drinking the river water.
Do you take credit cards or personal checks? Yes. We take organization checks, cash and credit cards. Organizations that have been coming back to us for two or more years can also arrange to be billed.
Do you recommend bringing a fishing pole to the Allegheny? Absolutely. The Allegheny River is home to many different fish including bass, carp, musky, northern pike, trout, and walleye.
Do you sell live bait? Not at this time.
Do you sell fishing licenses at your location? No, but you can get your fishing license online through the PA Fish and Boat Commission here.
Do you sell boat registrations? Not at this time.
Do you sell supplies or rent camping and other equipment? Yes! Our outdoors store (located 3 miles from AO livery at mile 9 on the banks of the Allegheny River) has everything you'll need for your backpacking or paddling trip. If you're in need of gear for your trip, orders can be ready for you when you arrive. Check out our store or contact us for more details. We also offer high-quality, ultralight backpacking gear rentals, from packs to water filtration systems. Visit our backpacking gear rentals for a complete list.
Can you recommend a guide book on the Upper Allegheny? Yes. The Allegheny River Paddling Guide is highly recommended by Scout leaders, and is a great resource for trip planning.
Please also see our "FAQ" page.