“What do I love about Paddle Fest? It’s my favorite of the many ways we get to share our love for the Shenango River. “
Brandi Baros – SRW President
Place
The Shenango River from Pymatuning Dam in Jamestown, PA to Riverside Park in Greenville, PA
The event is 9.5 miles from start to finish.
1 Water Trail Drive
Jamestown, PA US 16134
GPS:
Pymatuning State Park dam – GPS Locator
Greenville Riverside Park – GPS Locator
Description
New for Fall 2025 – Paddle Fest is an event for experienced kayakers and canoers. Because the Upper Shenango River is technical in places, with Class 1 rapids, shallow areas, and the potential for downed trees, and because paddle boards float much more slowly than kayaks or canoes, we do not allow paddle boards or tubes at Paddle Fest. Out of consideration for our volunteers, we ask that all paddlers plan to complete their float to Riverside Park by 3PM.
Join us for an adventurous and scenic float down the Shenango River at the 2025 Fall Paddle Fest! This is not a race. Participants will launch at Pymatuning State Park, float down the Shenango River and enjoy festivities at Riverside Park. There will be two food venues to choose from for lunch (which is part of your registration): Padrone’s Pizza & Pub and Big Mike’s Food Shack.
Cost: $20 when you register online (until 9/24), $25 the day of the event.
If registering after 9/24, on event day, we appreciate cash if possible as wifi can be spotty at the dam for electronic payments.
Purchased t-shirts will be available for pick up at the Riverside SRW tent after the paddle. There will be a limited number of t-shirts available for purchase at Riverside Park on the day of the event for $20.
Length and Difficulty: 9 miles, ~3.5 hours Class 1 Water
Logistics:
1. Drop your gear at the launch below the dam in Pymatuning State Park. If you are NOT registered, you must register at our table between 7:00 am and 10:15 am. If you pre-registered, stop at the registration table to check in and get your lunch wrist band.
2. Proceed to Riverside Park (Greenville, PA) and park your vehicle, please follow signs.
3. Take our shuttle bus back to the launch. Buses run every 15- 20 minutes from 8:00 am – 10:45 am. The last bus will leave Riverside Park at 10:45 am sharp so please plan accordingly.
4. Paddle the Shenango River to Riverside Park
5. Lunch provided at Riverside Park from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Restrooms & Facilities:
Restrooms Available at launch, mid-float (Halfway Rd), and at take out at Riverside Park
Addresses:
Launch – Pymatuning State Park – 1 Water Trail Drive, Jamestown, PA 16134
Mid-Float – Halfway Rd – 205 Halfway Rd. Jamestown, PA
Take-Out – Riverside Park – 45 Alan Ave, Greenville, PA 16125
FAQs:
Do you have kayaks/canoes for rent? – No, SRW does not have kayaks or canoes for rent. If you are interested in renting, please reach out to Carried Away Outfitters, 724-343-1313.
Can I buy a t-shirt? – Yes, t-shirts are available for purchase when you register until September 10, 2025. Limited shirts will be available on the day of the event at the take-out.
The event is in 2 days, why can’t I register online? – We need time to get the online registration list printed and ready to go for Paddle Fest. You can still register in person the morning of the event at Pymatuning State Park
“Folks who are kayaking the Shenango for the first time at Paddle Fest tell us how amazing it was, with all the birds and wildlife to watch. Novice and intermediate kayakers tell us what a challenge it was to navigate the twists and turns, the shallows, and the places where we could only cut a narrow passage around a downed tree, and how much they improved their skills.
Experienced kayakers who’ve been with us since we opened the water trail tell us what’s changed, and what they noticed today that they never noticed before. So many folks say they can’t wait to get back on the River again. Floating down the Shenango is never the same journey twice, as the River is constantly shifting. Mud and gravel banks form and erode, trees fall and are swept to the banks when the water gets high again. There’s always something new and fresh.
For me personally as a kayaker, I love how being on the River forces me to be present in the moment. You can’t be worrying about anything else as you’re figuring out the best line to take through the rapids, or how to navigate a tight turn with a downed tree on the outside and a gravel beach on the inside.
You have to focus, think fast, and respond to where the River takes you, and it’s as much mental as it is physical. Then you get those nice slow smooth stretches where you can set your paddle down and breathe in the wonders around you. It’s a high-intensity interval training for the soul.”
Brandi Baros – President
