Rafting in Pennsylvania: What to know & where to go
Feel the spray of whitewater while rafting in Pennsylvania. Here’s everything you need to know.
With just a short drive from Pennsylvania’s biggest cities, you can navigate the most exciting stretches of river in the state—those featuring whitewater rapids. There are numerous opportunities for whitewater rafting in Pennsylvania on some of the most picturesque rivers, including the Youghiogheny River, the Lehigh River, and the Delaware River. Whitewater rafting is a thrilling way to experience the beauty of the state—and your surroundings are much prettier than that of a roller coaster.
Pennsylvania’s rafting regions
Whitewater rafting is concentrated in two mountainous places in Pennsylvania: the Pocono Mountains in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Laurel Highlands in Southwestern Pennsylvania. In NEPA, you can launch rafting journeys on the Lehigh River and the Delaware River. Meanwhile, the Laurel Highlands’ Youghiogheny River—commonly called “the Yough” (pronounced yawk)—offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the eastern U.S.
To rent or not to rent your raft
On some rivers with calmer rapids, you and your group (rafting typically requires at least two paddlers) may be able to rent a raft and go your own way, navigating the water without a guide. On others, unless you are experienced whitewater boaters, it may be best—and safer—to go on a rafting trip led by an expert guide.
Whether you rent a raft or book a river trip, the company will usually provide all the gear you need—from the large rubber raft to safety equipment—as well as transportation to and from the river. When it’s cooler, your rafting company may also rent or provide wetsuits to protect you from cold water temperatures. No matter the river you choose to run, we recommend wearing sunscreen, sturdy shoes, and clothes that you can get wet and that dry quickly (avoid cotton).
When to go
You of course want to go whitewater rafting in Pennsylvania when the weather is warmer, and the rafting season generally begins in April or May. But the best time to go is in the spring. River water levels tend to be higher in April, May, and June because of melting snow. But though spring might typically be the best time to go rafting, you can still take a boat to the water through October. However, as dam releases keep water levels consistent on the Lehigh River, specific dam release dates may be the best days to run the Lehigh; you can check the dam release schedule on rafting company websites and through the Philadelphia District of the Army Corps of Engineers, which schedules the dam releases.
Reading the rapids
When you’re planning your rafting trip, you may see discussion of different “classes” of rapids. These classes help define the difficulty—e.g., the size of the waves and whether there are obstacles like rocks—of a river’s whitewater rapids, which can help you understand the skill needed to navigate them. (Of course, navigating rapids is made much easier with the help of a guide.) Class I refers to the easiest rapids, while class V describes the most difficult.
Many guided trips are more relaxing jaunts, perfect for families, while others are harrowing expeditions through dangerous rapids—it all depends on the river and the specific section of it you raft.
Best places to go rafting in Pennsylvania
The Youghiogheny River – Ohiopyle
You can raft the mighty Youghiogheny River within gorgeous Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Lower Yough is “the busiest section of whitewater east of the Mississippi River.” It’s a more difficult stretch of the river, with class III and class IV rapids. If you’re not too experienced with rafting and you want a heart stopping adventure, you might want to join a guided trip to run the Lower Yough, as you’ll be in capable hands with an experienced guide. But the calmer Middle Yough, with its class I and class II rapids, is ideal for families with small children or those new to rafting. Finally, the Upper Yough—which requires a shuttle across the border to Maryland—is full of obstacles, steep runs, and even class V rapids. It’s best for the most daring rafters.
Youghiogheny River rafting outfitters
Numerous whitewater rafting companies can set you up for a rafting journey on the Yough. Check out Laurel Highlands River Tours, Ohiopyle Trading Post and River Tours, White Water Adventurers, and Wilderness Voyageurs—all experienced outfitters in Ohiopyle. All of these tour companies also rent rafts to groups looking to guide themselves on the Middle Yough or the Lower Yough.
The Delaware River – The Delaware Water Gap
You can raft the Delaware River within and around the beautiful Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which separates the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania from New York to the northeast and New Jersey to the east. A rafting journey on the Delaware is great for beginning rafters looking for a calm but fun experience. In fact, some sections of the river are so gentle they only have class I rapids.
Delaware River rafting outfitters
Rent rafts—or book your guided river trip—with Adventure Sports or Shawnee River Trips in East Stroudsburg, Edge of the Woods Outfitters in the town of Delaware Water Gap, or Kittatinny Canoes in Matamoras.
For those looking for guided adventures, Kittatinny Canoes launches rafting trips on the Delaware River from its home base near the northern section of the national recreation area. You can take the “Staircase to Matamoras,” a rafting trip to the town of Matamoras in Pike County—you’ll park at Matamoras and take a shuttle to the launch point of the river, where you’ll head six miles through the Staircase section of the river and other class I and class II rapids.
The Lehigh River – Jim Thorpe
The Lehigh River, home to class II and III rapids, is a sort of middle ground (river?) between the mighty Yough and the gentler Delaware. The rapids aren’t as extreme as the Yough’s and the runs aren’t as easy as on the Delaware. In fact, some whitewater rafters take to the Lehigh River specifically to train for more difficult rafting. It’s the perfect river for adventurers who don’t want too much of an adrenaline rush.
Lehigh River rafting outfitters
The charming Carbon County town of Jim Thorpe and its surrounds serve as an excellent home base for rafting the Lehigh. To connect with an experienced rafting company, check out Whitewater Challengers, Jim Thorpe River Adventures, Whitewater Rafting Adventures, and Pocono Whitewater Rafting. All offer guided trips.
The most exciting trips are offered on dam release days, which are posted on each outfitters’ website. On other days, your rafting trip will be more laid back—perhaps not as exhilarating, but still a great time. For the ultimate adventure, Whitewater Challenges boasts what it calls the longest one-day whitewater rafting journey in the state, as rafters will travel more than 20 miles of river. The trip takes between five and seven hours and is only available on a handful of dam release dates during the summer.
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