ROCK THE YOUGH IS BACK !!!
One of the club's most popular events. Rock the Yough pitch-in party and paddling event is back with a twist as it will be the fall weekend of October 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2026. This isn't just for whitewater – it’s a trip for everyone!
Sponsors: Wendi and Bob Heckler - email: Hecklerwendi@att.net
Party, Camping & Sat. Night Pitch-In
This will be a trip you won't want to miss - especially the Saturday night pitch in dinner with live music from the infamous Bob (Big Drop) Heckler (an HCKC legend and all-around great guy)! The main course protein will be available, and we ask for everyone to pitch in either a side dish or a dessert. There will be a $10 cash event fee per person to cover costs of the main course protein, tent rental and consumables (plates, napkins, flatware, etc.). THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE low, low CAMPING FEE. All other meals (breakfasts, lunches, and Friday dinner) are to be self-provided.
Paddler’s Lane Campground
Address: 255 Paddlers Ln
Confluence, PA 15424
Do not call the campground for reservations, as we have a large area already reserved for the HCKC. Camping is $10 per person per night. Upon arrival to the campground, cash payment should be paid to Wendi Heckler directly, NOT to the campground. We are taking care of all accommodation coordination with the campground to make things easier on everyone.
The campground does not allow firewood to be brought in from outside PA in compliance with PA forestry recommendations. There are bundles in front of the bathhouse that can be purchased. (This WOULD be paid directly to the campground.)
There is a bathhouse with hot showers, and a utility sink for washing dishes.
Flatwater and sea kayakers will enjoy checking out Youghiogheny River Lake. Jockey Hollow Boat Ramp will be a good place to put-in/take-out to avoid some of the power boats. It has also been recommended to travel a little further to the Maryland side and put-in at Mill Run Recreation Area (25 minutes from the campground). High Point Lake and Deer Valley Lake are also spots to check out (about a half hour away from our campground, and within minutes of each other) and are a bit more secluded. Cheat Lake a 1,730 acre reservoir 53 min. from the campground has two launches at Cheat Lake Park and by the Ices Ferry Bridge. The quiet areas of the lake known as the “backwaters” are best for kayaking.
For the adventurous recreational paddler who is comfortable with moving water, we recommend the Class II Middle Yough River (put-in right at camp!). All of the minor class 2 rapids can be easily missed because the river is very wide. If you are unsure about your watercraft, inflatable duckie kayaks are available for rent in Ohiopyle.
Middle Yough: https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/1686/main
For whitewater boaters who are not ready for the Class II/III waters of the Lower Youghiogheny River, there's the nearby Class II Casselman River as well.
Upper Yough: https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/753/main
For Whitewater paddlers the Upper Youghiogheny is the Class 4/5 crown jewell of the east with regular releases, Friday the 2nd, Saturday the 3rd, and Monday the 5th. Make sure you have a good crew!
Lower Yough: https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/state-summary/?state=PA AKA the "LoYo" is a great class 2/3 paddle through the gorgeous Ohiopyle State Park which starts just below the gorgeous Youghiogheny Falls pictured above. Many Hoosiers have made this run over the years and there will no shortage of help to show you the lines.
Casselman: https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/87/main Under typical conditions the Casselman is an easy class 2 stream but is more challenging if the rain gods put down a few downpours. In the past it has been a great alternative if the Lower Yough is too high.
Other Activities:
Hiking
Don't want to kayak? Come for the hiking, sightseeing, fishing, mountain biking, or join a commercial raft trip! There are many trails located in and around the Ohiopyle State Park area. If you enjoy hiking to see some waterfalls, we recommend the Cucumber Falls Trail, the Jonathan Run Trail, and the Meadow Run Trail (towards the Cascades).
Sightseeing:
Enjoy the best scenic mountaintop views from some of the most easily accessible upper elevations in West Virginia at Cooper’s Rock and Snake Hill.
in addition there are two Frank Lloyd Wright houses in the area – Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob. If you are interested in checking out Fallingwater, we recommend booking tickets early, as the tours fill very quickly.
The French &Indian War’s Fort Necessity, built by Lt. George Washington, Gen. Braddock’s Grave, George Washington’s Tavern and the Jumonville Glen battlefield managed by the National Park Service are popular sightseeing destinations in the area. Within an hour’s drive, there is also a Casino and many golf courses.
Fishing:
For the fishermen of the group, this is a very stream-rich area. You can fish for trout in Laurel Creek in Laurel Hill State Park, Meadow Run in Ohiopyle, and the Middle Yough River in Ohiopyle. For small mouth bass, the Casselman River is a great option. Most of these rivers have full trail access. Nearby Cheat Lake has 46 recorded species of fish in the lake.
Biking and Climbing:
There is mountain biking on Sugarloaf Mountain with beginner to difficult trails and flat trail biking on the Great Allegheny Passage biking trails most of which are rails to trails which means only small elevation gains. Bike rentals are available in Ohiopyle. Ohiopyle State Park has several designated Rock Climbing areas providing Top roping and Sport climbing routes.
Rentals in Ohiopyle
Bike rentals
- Wilderness Voyageurs Rafting & Bike Tours
103 Garrett St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
wilderness-voyageurs.com
- Laurel Highlands River Tours and Outdoor Center
4 Sherman St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
laurelhighlands.com
Duckie kayak/raft rentals/Guided raft trips
- Wilderness Voyageurs Rafting & Bike Tours
103 Garrett St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
wilderness-voyageurs.com
*Stand-up Paddle Boards also available for rent – call number on website to reserve!
*Paddle-cats/Shredders also available for rent
- White Water Adventurers Inc.
6 Negley St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
wwaraft.com
- Laurel Highlands River Tours and Outdoor Center
4 Sherman St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
laurelhighlands.com
*Paddle-cats/Shredders also available for rent
Flatwater Boat Launches
Jockey Hollow Boat Ramp
Confluence, PA 15424
Mill Run Recreation Area
Mill Run Rd, Friendsville, MD 21531
High Point Lake
South Access Boat Launch – T348, Fort Hill, PA 15540
North Shore Boat Ramp – Lake Shore Rd, Fort Hill, PA 15540
Deer Valley Lake
S Access Road, Fort Hill, PA 15540
Local Sightseeing Attractions
Fallingwater
1491 Mill Run Rd, Mill Run, PA 15464
www.fallingwater.org
Kentuck Knob
723 Kentuck Rd, Dunbar, PA 15431
www.kentuckknob.com
Fort Necessity
National Pike, Farmington, PA 15437
https://www.nps.gov/fone/index.htm
