PA State Parks

Taking the Hiawatha Riverboat Cruise in Williamsport

The Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat cruise in Williamsport is a relaxing, hour-long sightseeing excursion up and down the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

Cruising the Susquehanna River on Williamsport’s Hiawatha paddlewheel riverboat. — Cruising the Susquehanna River on Williamsport’s Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat.

Operating on the Susquehanna River since 1991, this simulated paddlewheel riverboat is the perfect way to leisurely explore the scenery along the river.

View of the Susquehanna River from the bow of the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat in Williamsport Pennsylvania. — View of the Susquehanna River from the bow of the riverboat.

The Hiawatha is named in honor of an Iroquois chief named Hiawatha, and is modeled after another paddlewheel riverboat of the same name that was destroyed during the spring ice thaw on the Susquehanna in 1914.

The Hiawatha is named in honor of an Iroquois chief named Hiawatha, who was instrumental in bringing together the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy — The Hiawatha is named in honor of an Iroquois chief named Hiawatha.

Cruising on the Hiawatha: When, Where and How Much

The Hiawatha riverboat excursions run May through October.

The Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat has been cruising on the Susquehanna River in Williamsport since 1991.

During June, July, and August, the Hiawatha sails Wednesday through Sunday.

Looking out over the stern of the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat in Williamsport Pennsylvania — Looking out over the stern of the Hiawatha.

In May, September, and October, the Hiawatha runs sightseeing cruises on Saturdays and Sundays only.

The Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat cruises on the Susquehanna River take place from May through October. — The Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat cruises take place from May through October.

Excursions depart from Susquehanna State Park, located right off of Route 220 in Williamsport.

Directions to the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat in Williamsport Pennsylvania. — Map to the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat in Williamsport.

If navigating by GPS, use 2205 Hiawatha Blvd, Williamsport, PA 17701 as the address to find the boat launch at the park.

Susquehanna State Park is a 20-acre riverfront recreational area operated by the Williamsport Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks.

There is plenty of free parking right next to the the boat launch, along with a small snack shop (the Hiawatha House) and restrooms.

The Hiawatha House snack shop and restrooms are located next to the boat launch at Susquehanna State Park.

As of the summer of 2022, prices to cruise on the Hiawatha are as follows: Children (3-12): $8.00, Adults (13-59): $12.00, Seniors (60+): $11.00.

In addition to the regular sightseeing cruises, the Hiawatha riverboat also offers several specialty cruises and can be rented for private events.

Enjoying the Cruise on the Hiawatha

Cruising the Susquehanna River on the Hiawatha is a very smooth experience, almost as if you are gliding up and down the river.

Even jaded teenagers can appreciate the hour-long cruise on the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat in Williamsport. — Even jaded teenagers can appreciate the hour-long cruise on the Hiawatha.

This is in sharp contrast to cruising on the open water, like say the Lady Kate boat tour at Presque Isle State Park, which can get quite bumpy as you sail out over Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie.

Exploring Presque Isle Bay aboard the Lady Kate tour boat.

The lower deck of the Hiawatha is enclosed (and air conditioned), and you’ll also find a snack bar and the on-board restrooms down here.

The enclosed lower deck of the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat in Williamsport Pennsylvania.. — The enclosed (and air conditioned) lower deck.

The upper-deck is open-air, and on this beautiful day most people chose to sit up here.

The open-air upper deck of the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat in Williamsport Pennsylvania. — The open-air upper deck of the riverboat.

There are no assigned seats, and you can wander around the boat and check out all the different vantage points, which is exactly what my daughter and I did.

The paddlewheels on the Hiawatha riverboat.

The captain was even kind enough to allow my daughter to take the wheel for a minute or so.

Taking the wheel of the Hiawatha riverboat, with the Captain's permission. — Taking the wheel of the Hiawatha riverboat, with the Captain’s permission.

The Hiawatha cruises in one direction for 30 minutes, turns around, and comes back to the boat launch, passing numerous other boaters out enjoying the waters of the Susquehanna River.

The Susquehanna River is very popular with recreational boaters in Williamsport.

Final Thoughts

Cruising the Susquehanna River on the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat is a relaxing and enjoyable way to spend part of an afternoon in Williamsport!

View from inside the wheelhouse of the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat in Williamsport. — View from inside the wheelhouse.

Everyone we interacted with was friendly, the cost to cruise seemed very reasonable, and the excursion itself was interesting and quite scenic.

The Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat cruise is a great way to learn the history of the early days along the Susquehanna River. — The Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat cruise is a great way to explore the Susquehanna River.

For complete details on the Hiawatha’s operating hours and specialty cruises, check out their OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

The Hiawatha riverboat excursions depart from the banks of the Susquehanna River at Susquehanna State Park.

The Proud Mary Showboat is a modern diesel-powered replica of a paddlewheel riverboat, taking passengers on 90 minute sightseeing excursions on Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County several days a week in the summer months.

A collage of four photos capturing various scenes onboard the Proud Mary Showboat at Raystown Lake. The top left image shows the showboat docked with a clear blue sky above. The top right image depicts passengers enjoying the open-air upper deck, surrounded by green hills and calm waters. The bottom left image features the captain in the control room, with a view of the lake and surrounding landscape. The bottom right image shows an American flag waving from the stern, with the boat's wake trailing behind against a backdrop of lush green hills and a partly cloudy sky.

The Lady Kate Boat Tour at Presque Isle State Park is a 90 minute sightseeing tour that ventures out onto the open waters of Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay.

The Lady Kate tour boat at Presque Isle State Park.

Nearby Attractions

Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland in Union County is a zoo that specializes in exotic reptiles and amphibians from around the world!

A collage of photos from Clyde Peeling's Reptiland in Allenwood Pennsylvania. — Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland near Williamsport.

Montgomery Pike Scenic Overlook is a gorgeous roadside overlook and picnic spot near Williamsport.

Exploring Montgomery Pike Scenic Overlook in Lycoming County — Montgomery Pike Scenic Overlook near Williamsport.

The Taber Museum in Williamsport tells the story of how people have lived and worked in Lycoming County from prehistoric times to the present day!

The Taber Museum in Williamsport chronicles the history of north central Pennsylvania, from American Indian occupation through 21st century industry and life. — Scenes from the Taber Museum in Williamsport.

Exploring the Abandoned Alvira Bunkers in Union County shares the backstory behind 149 dome-shaped concrete bunkers that once housed explosives for the US military, now gradually being reclaimed by nature on State Game Lands 252 near Williamsport.

Inside one of the abandoned Alvira bunkers. — One of the abandoned Alvira munitions bunkers near Williamsport.

The Piper Aviation Museum in nearby Lock Haven honors the legacy of the Piper Aircraft Corporation, which designed and manufactured aircraft in Clinton County, PA between 1937 and 1984.

Exploring the Piper Aviation Museum in Clinton County Pennsylvania. — The Piper Aviation Museum just south of Williamsport.

Did you enjoy this article?

If so, be sure to like and follow PA Bucket List on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Pinterest to learn more about the best things to see and do in Pennsylvania!

Click on any of the icons below to get connected to PA Bucket List on social media.