20 Jan Whitewater Rafting in Harpers Ferry, WV

The town of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia boasts a variety of adventure activity tours, including whitewater rafting. Hop in a raft with a guide and paddle along Class I to Class III rapids. The guide will instruct you throughout the whole tour, and they might even encourage you to splash other rafts in your tour group. I gifted the whitewater rafting tour to my boyfriend as a birthday present one year, and it turned out to be a great present as we created unforgettable memories while crashing through the rapids.

After your whitewater rafting trip ends, I recommend you spend the night in the area so you can explore Harpers Ferry the next day. For example, you can hike the Maryland Heights Trail for panoramic views of the town and rivers.

Contents:

1) Location of Whitewater Rafting in Harpers Ferry

2) Rafting Tour Options

3) Recommended Items to Bring

4) What to Expect on Rafting Day

5) My Experience: Whitewater Rafting in Harpers Ferry

1) Location of Whitewater Rafting in Harpers Ferry

The town of Harpers Ferry is located in the state of West Virginia. The town is a bit unique, however, due to the fact it also borders the states of Maryland and Virginia. Additionally, it sits at the point where the Potomac River and Shenandoah River meet. Visit the viewpoint called The Point to see where the two rivers intersect and hike to the top of the Maryland Heights Trail to get a view from above of Harpers Ferry, the intersection of the two rivers, and the states of Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. 

For reference, Harpers Ferry is around one hour northwest of Washington, DC. If you head to DC anytime soon, I recommend you add paddle boating in the Tidal Basin as well as hiking the Billy Goat Trail Section A to your itinerary. Moreover, Harpers Ferry is around an hour and a half west of Baltimore, Maryland.

Parking 

Please be aware that there is essentially no parking along the streets in town. Nevertheless, you can still find parking in one of the two main parking lots in town. First, there is a parking lot by the train station that costs $20 per day. This lot is within walking distance from The Point mentioned above. Second, there is a parking lot at the end of Shoreline Drive by the visitor center that costs $20 per day. There is a shuttle available into town since it would be a bit of a far walk. 

On the other hand, you can choose to park along the side of Washington Street outside of town. I tend to choose this option whenever I visit because it is a bit cheaper at only $2 an hour. You can pay through the ParkMobile app. However, please keep in mind that the road into town is on a somewhat steep hill. You will be walking downhill into town from where you park on Washington Street and then uphill back to your car.

Nearby Lodging

You can find a few lodging accommodation options within the town of Harpers Ferry. Otherwise, you can stay just an hour southeast in Washington, DC and drive to Harpers Ferry for the day.

Nearby Airports

The closest airports to Harpers Ferry are regional or municipal airports, and they are all fairly small. Therefore, the closest international airport is Dulles International Airport. It is located 50 minutes southeast by car. Additionally, there are public transportation options available from the airport to Harpers Ferry. Just be aware that they will take you around three hours one way. Therefore, you can consider renting a car from the airport or utilizing a ride share service such as Uber if you do not live in the area.

Panoramic view of Harpers Ferry from the Maryland Heights Trail

2) Rafting Tour Options

While this article focuses specifically on whitewater rafting tours in Harpers Ferry, I do want to offer a bit of information about other whitewater tours offered in case any of them peak your interest. Additionally, there are a few different tour companies that operate in Harpers Ferry. You can thus do a bit of research to find the company as well as the tour that best suits your preferences.

We booked a whitewater rafting tour with the company River and Trail Outfitters and had an absolute blast. While the information below for whitewater rafting and other tours will be fairly similar across all tour companies, it will be slightly geared towards this company in particular.

Additionally, there are white water rafting tours available all around the United States. For example, you can even go whitewater rafting in Yellowstone National Park. Talk about the adventure of a lifetime. 

Whitewater Rafting Tours in Harpers Ferry

River and Trail Outfitters offers a unique whitewater rafting experience in Harpers Ferry, for you get to raft through the three states of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Additionally, you will start in the Shenandoah River and then cross into the Potomac River. While the rapids can change slightly in size based on the season and current water levels, you can expect to experience the thrill of Class I to Class III rapids. The tour lasts around three to four hours in total and traverses 6.5 miles (~10.5 kilometers).

In terms of price, it can change based on the season and day. However, prepare to pay around $70 to $80 per adult. In terms of the open season, tours run from around late May to early November. The time of day the tour runs varies extensively based on the season, so be sure to check their site for more information.

As a bonus, the whitewater rafting tour in Harpers Ferry includes a riverside snack! Around the middle of the tour or so, all of the guides will lead their rafting groups to the shoreline for a quick break and snack.

Additionally, keep in mind that the whitewater rafting tour is only for individuals seven years of age and older who are 50 pounds (~22.7 kilograms) or heavier.

Getting drenched while whitewater rafting in Harpers Ferry

Whitewater Kayaking Tours 

You can also choose to book a whitewater kayaking tour. The tour traverses on both the Shenandoah River as well as the Potomac River for approximately three to four hours. You will tackle Class I to Class III rapids in an inflatable kayak, which is also known as a Ducky.

This tour is definitely on my list, for I love kayaking and even own an Intex Challenger inflatable kayak myself.

You can check their site for more information on whitewater kayaking tours.

Whitewater + Flat Water Tubing Tours 

Another option is to book a tubing tour. There are generally three main options: (1) whitewater tubing (2) flat water tubing – Shenandoah (3) flat water tubing – Potomac.

First, the whitewater tubing tour takes place on the Potomac River. You will experience the thrill of Class I to Class III rapids for approximately one to two hours. 

Second, the flat water tubing tour – Shenandoah is a bit more of a relaxed adventure. You can sit back and relax as you float down the river for approximately one to two hours.

Third, the flat water tubing tour – Potomac is another relaxed adventure that starts in Brunswick, Maryland. Sit back and relax as you float down a more secluded portion of the river for approximately three hours.

You can check their site for more information on tubing tours. Moreover, I have gone on a whitewater tubing tour in Harpers Ferry. I will not spoil anything for you, but rather you can read all about my experience in this article: Whitewater Tubing in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Additional Tour Options 

River and Trail Outfitters, as well as other tour companies in the area, offer a variety of adventure-based tours. I detailed many of them above, but guess what…there are even more!

For example, you can choose to rent a kayak or canoe to paddle along the Shenandoah or Potomac River as well as Antietam Creek. Additionally, you can book a guided kayak or canoe tour. Some tours operate at sunset while others end at local breweries.

In terms of rentals, you can also rent bikes. In terms of tours, you can also book biking, hiking, and zip lining tours. You can easily use one or more of these tours for your next self-care night, date night, or family adventure.

You can check their site for more information on other tours offered.

Relaxing while going down a calmer rapid on the river

3) Recommended Items to Bring

I will go into detail below concerning my recommendations for what to wear on the whitewater rafting tour in Harpers Ferry as well as additional items to bring, key check, and the River and Trail store.

**Please consider what you bring with you on the whitewater rafting tour, for you do not want to lose anything in the river and accidentally litter. Trust me, you do not need to bring much other than yourself ready to have a good time. 

The tour company will supply you with a life vest as well as a helmet and paddle. Additionally, do not wear cotton as it just soaks up water.

What to Wear on a Hot Day

You are going to want to wear minimal clothing on a hot, sunny day. First, wear waterproof tennis shoes or sports sandals. Please note that flip flips are not allowed by the River and Trail Outfitters tour company (as well as other tour companies most likely). Second, consider wearing a bathing suit by itself or as your underneath layer.

Third, if you want to wear a bit more than a bathing suit, wear a tank top or t-shirt as well as shorts. However, make sure that you do not wear any cotton but rather quick dry materials. Fourth, bring a pair of sunglasses if you think it will be a bit too bright outside. Make sure you have a sports strap, although, or they might just fly right off your head on the first set of rapids.

What to Wear on a Cool Day

On the other hand, you will want to wear more clothing on a cooler day. First, wear waterproof tennis shoes or sports sandals. Please note that flip flips are not allowed by the River and Trail Outfitters tour company (as well as other tour companies most likely). Second, wear long pants that are either waterproof or a quick dry material. Third, wear a long sleeve shirt that is either waterproof or a quick dry material.

Fourth, wear a light waterproof jacket or tie it around your waist if you get a bit toasty. Fifth, bring a pair of sunglasses if you think it will be a bit too bright outside. Make sure you have a sports strap, although, or they might just fly right off your head on the first set of rapids.

Other General Items to Bring for Whitewater Rafting in Harpers Ferry

You might want to bring a few items with you to the check-in site but not on the tour itself. For example, bring sunscreen so you can apply it before the tour begins. Additionally, drink a fair amount of water before the tour, especially if it is a hot day. While there is a snack break with water provided in the middle of the tour, you want to make sure you stay hydrated throughout. 

Lastly, I would suggest packing an extra change of clothes as well as a towel in the car so that you can dry off and change after the whitewater rafting tour ends. You do not want to be sitting in the car soaking wet on the entire drive home.

Key Check + River and Trail Store

The tour company of River and Trail Outfitters offers a complimentary key check at the check-in site. This means that you can give them your car keys once you are about to leave for the tour and then have no worries about losing your keys in the river.

Additionally, the company has a small store at the check-in site. You can purchase souvenir items such as t-shirts and hats as well as useful items such as snacks, drinks, sunscreen, and river shoes. 

Whitewater rafting tour in Harpers Ferry

4) What to Expect on Rafting Day

This is it…the day you have been waiting for! You finally get to experience whitewater rafting on the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. There are just a few more logistical items to get out of the way before you can get on the river.

Checking In for Whitewater Rafting in Harpers Ferry

Once you arrive at the location given by the tour company, you will need to check-in for your tour if you reserved online in advance. Otherwise, you can try to walk in and book immediately. However, please note this is subject to availability and is not always an option on the weekends. As a note, they do ask you to arrive at least 30 minutes before your trip time.

After you check in, you can take care of any other necessary business before the tour. For example, you can go to the bathroom, put on a layer of sunscreen, etc. Once you no longer need access to your car, you can use the complimentary key check provided at the check-in desk so you no longer have to worry about your car keys.

Safety Briefing + Instructions

The front desk will instruct you to wait in a certain area. You will then be given a short safety briefing for the whitewater rafting tour. Since you will experience rapids on this tour, they want to make sure you are prepared if you do happen to fall out of the raft or experience any other issue. After that, you will meet your tour guide, and they will help you obtain a life vest as well as a helmet and paddle.

Each raft will have a tour guide. This means that you do not have to go whitewater rafting solo, but rather you will have a professional guide by your side instructing you all along the way.

About to get drenched after hitting a rapid along the river

Getting on the River

Everyone then boards the bus after the safety briefing is over and each person has their own life vest, helmet, and paddle. The bus takes you to the starting point of the whitewater rafting tour in Harpers Ferry on the Shenandoah River.

As a bonus, you do not have to deal with the rafts at all. The tour guides take care of loading them onto the trailer as well as unloading them at the starting point.

You will then find your rafting group and tour guide, who will assist you in boarding the raft. Once everyone is ready, the tour begins! You push off into the river and start paddling away.

Whitewater Rafting Down the River in Harpers Ferry

At the beginning, the tour guide will go over basic paddling techniques and instructions so that when you go through rapids, they can simply shout one or two word phrases as instructions.

Then you will start going over more and more rapids as you float along. The first one might be a bit daunting if this is your first whitewater rafting trip, but just take a deep breath, listen to the guide, and remember to enjoy the experience. The trip will be a mix of rapids and calmer waters, so you have plenty of time to relax before bracing yourself for the next set of rapids.

Additionally, everyone will stop on the side of the river around the middle of the tour for a quick snack + water break, which is provided by the tour company. The snack might be something similar to an apple, trail mix, etc. Take this chance to stretch your legs before boarding the raft to finish out the trip.

View of the Potomac River in Harpers Ferry

5) My Experience: Whitewater Rafting in Harpers Ferry

Let me begin by saying that I had an incredible time on my whitewater rafting tour on the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers with the River and Trail Outfitters tour company. Their website provided all of the necessary information regarding the tour. Moreover, they sent us an informational email immediately after booking and closer to the tour date. I felt comfortable and safe throughout the entire booking process as well as the tour itself. Even though no one in my raft fell into the water, it was definitely possible that someone could have! Class III rapids are no joke.

Nevertheless, the Class III rapids were my favorite part. The rapids on the river ranged from Class I to Class III. However, I enjoyed the longer and larger rapids a bit more because they offered more of a thrill. I have also gone whitewater rafting in the New River Gorge area, which includes rapids up to Class V – aka the big ones. That being said, I did enjoy the tour in the New River Gorge area a bit more, but only because of the size of the rapids. The tour company cannot do anything about that. The level of the rapids just depends on the river as well as the water levels.

However, I would absolutely book the tour again in Harpers Ferry. It is such a fun experience, no matter whether you book by yourself, with friends, or with family. There is no better way to spend a warm, summer day than whitewater rafting down the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. 

Enjoying an exciting day on the river

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While in West Virginia, be sure to visit New River Gorge National Park: New River Gorge Bridge Overlook.

Also check out a hike with a great view of the bridge and surrounding mountains: Endless Wall Trail.