Pennsylvanians and water just go hand-in-hand. After all, no matter where we live in the state, we’re usually within driving distance of a lake, a pond, or a river. The water provides plenty for us to do, too, from boating and swimming to picnicking on the shore. But, have you ever stopped to think of the history behind your favorite lake or river, like the oldest river in Pennsylvania?
Discover the beautiful living history of the Susquehanna River, the oldest river in Pennsylvania that is believed to date back as far as 250 million years.
Wikipedia/kev72 Harrisburg behind the Susquehanna River.
In fact, Pennsylvania’s oldest river, which runs through numerous towns and cities in the central part of the state, is also the longest river on the east coast and comes in as the 16th longest river in the U.S.
Flickr/likeaduck
The approximately 444-mile river winds from Cooperstown, New York’s Otesgo Lake, through Central Pennsylvania, and to Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay.
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli The view from Hyner State Park.
The historic river meanders through numerous Pennsylvania cities and towns, including Bedford, Clearfield, Sunbury, and York.
Flickr/Charlie Anzman The river in Bloomsburg.
The Susquehanna boasts some pretty unique features. Did you know the river in Harrisburg is nearly a mile wide?
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli South Renovo hugs the historic river.
Today, Pennsylvanians and visitors flock to the river for boating, swimming, and even fishing.
Flickr/Gerry Dincher Explore the Susquehanna on a paddle boat in Lycoming County.
Much of the land along the river provides an ideal setting for hiking, biking, and picnicking.
Wikipedia/Nicholas A. Tonelli The river also meanders through Bradford County.
But in its early days, the Susquehanna River played a significant part in transportation, housing a canal system that was used to move coal and people. When the railroad took over, however, the canals became all but obsolete.
Flickr/Jon Dawson A shot of the river in Ransom.
Providing a picture-perfect setting for watching a fiery sunset, the Susquehanna River also holds distinction as the United States’ largest river (where the river is only in the U.S.) “that drains into the Atlantic Ocean.” *
Flickr/batchelor Or, admire the sunset in Clearfield.
Click here to visit the DCNR to learn more about the Susquehanna.
What do you love most about the oldest river in Pennsylvania? Join the conversation in the comments! Then click here to read about Northumberland, a charming town on the banks of the Susquehanna River.
Wikipedia/kev72
Harrisburg behind the Susquehanna River.
Flickr/likeaduck
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
The view from Hyner State Park.
Flickr/Charlie Anzman
The river in Bloomsburg.
South Renovo hugs the historic river.
Flickr/Gerry Dincher
Explore the Susquehanna on a paddle boat in Lycoming County.
Wikipedia/Nicholas A. Tonelli
The river also meanders through Bradford County.
Flickr/Jon Dawson
A shot of the river in Ransom.
Flickr/batchelor
Or, admire the sunset in Clearfield.
Click here to visit the DCNR to learn more about the Susquehanna.
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