Gateway Clipper fall leaf tour is back on the Allegheny River in Armstrong County

After a five-year hiatus, the Gateway Clipper will return to the Armstrong County portion of the Allegheny River for two boat tours and a dinner cruise on Oct. 9.

Tickets have gone on sale and are expected to sell out.

While the Armstrong County portion of the Allegheny River is known for its wild beauty and scant development, the area is not easily visited unless by boat.

“Much of the Kittanning pool is untouched land,” said Michael Bruno, director of the county’s tourism organization, Experience Armstrong Inc.

“It’s a wilderness along the water with steep slopes and topography that has amazing views,” he said. “Then add in the beautiful colors of fall for what will be a very special boat tour.”

Bruno decided to bring back the fall river tours to add to the attractions to draw residents and visitors to the county’s riverfront.

The two autumn foliage cruises are one hour long in the Kittanning pool. Then the two-hour dinner cruise will traverse the Kittanning pool and perhaps lock through to another pool, Bruno said.

He views the cruises as an opportunity to showcase Armstrong County and the quaint river towns of Kittanning and Ford City.

“The Allegheny River in this area really shows the beauty of the river and the lush landscape along the banks that we don’t get to see around the city,” said Suzanne Krug, director of marketing for the Gateway Clipper Fleet.

“The foliage in the area is amazing,” said Krug. “We can’t wait to see the vibrant fall colors from the decks of our riverboat.”