The Schuylkill River is an ideal place to try out stand-up paddleboarding in the Greater Philadelphia area.

The Schuylkill River is a winding, liquid testament to southeastern Pennsylvania history, both natural and industrial. The river makes its way through five Pennsylvania counties — Schuylkill, Berks, Chester, Montgomery, and Philadelphia — for 137 miles before it joins the Delaware River in Philadelphia.

You can traverse parts of the Schuylkill River via kayak, canoe, or the popular stand-up paddleboard, which combines swiftly moving through the water with a great way to exercise your core. This summer, try stand-up paddleboarding — also called SUP boarding — on the calm waters of the Schuylkill. We’ve put together a guide to where you can rent and launch a board and where you can take guided tours or classes, as well as what else you need to know for a successful SUP session on the Schuylkill.

Stand-up paddleboard lessons with the Philadelphia Canoe Club – Philadelphia

If you’re new to stand-up paddleboarding, the folks at the Philadelphia Canoe Club lead lessons to make you more comfortable trying this unique form of paddling! Over the three-hour lessons (scheduled periodically — check the site throughout the summer) you’ll learn about balance, the best paddle strokes, proper equipment, and more.

Schuylkill Banks – Philadelphia

If you have your own paddleboard, you can easily access the Schuylkill River even in urban Philadelphia! You can launch your own paddleboard at the Walnut Street Dock or the dock at Bartram’s Garden.

Lock 60 Loop at Schuylkill Canal Park – Mont Clare (Montgomery County)

You can take your own (or a rented) paddleboard to Schuylkill Canal Park to paddle the Lock 60 Loop, a 4.5-mile trail on the river and the Schuylkill Canal that doesn’t require a shuttle! Lock 60, circa 1820, is the only working canal lock still in operation on the Schuylkill. You’ll start your trek on the calm waters of the Schuylkill River and then return to where you started (after a quick portage around the dam) via the canal.

Take it Outdoors – Pottstown (Montgomery County)

Take It Outdoors is a kayak and paddleboard outfitter and tour operator based in Pottstown. You can rent paddleboards for a four-mile trip down the Schuylkill River, with the Take It Outdoors shuttle transporting you to your launch point before you paddle the roughly one-to-two-hour trip back to the outfitter’s shop. You can also book a private, guided SUP tour on the Schuylkill with Take It Outdoors. And if you want some specialized instruction, the company sometimes offers stand-up paddleboard lessons — check the website to see when the next lesson is announced.

Cabin Craft Outdoor Adventures – Schwenksville (Montgomery County)

Cabin Craft Outdoor Adventures offers both guided and self-guided tours down the Schuylkill River that you can take by stand-up paddleboard. Possible trips include a 6.5-mile trip from Towpath Park to Trinley Park, a three-mile trip from Trinley Park to the Spring City Boat Launch, as well as the 4.5-mile Lock 60 Loop near Schuylkill Canal Park. The outfitter provides shuttles as needed. Reach out to Cabin Craft to discuss your potential SUP trip!

What else should I know?

Be sure to wear sunscreen, a life jacket with a whistle, and clothes you won’t mind getting wet. You’ll also want to wear either closed-toed shoes or shoes with straps — you could lose flip-flops!