Add Your Travel Services and Accommodations
Create a listing on RealAdventures and be seen by millions of travelers making plans for their next vacation.Create Your Listing
Dam Release Whitewater (#1/26)
Guided Whitewater Rafting on the Lehigh River (#2/26)
Dam Release Whitewater (#3/26)
Whitewater Rafting on the Lehigh River (#4/26)
Girl Scout Raftoree at the Lehigh (#5/26)
Family Rafing on the Lehigh River (#6/26)
Boy Scout Troop Rafting on the Lehigh River (#7/26)
Rafting on the Lehigh River (#8/26)
Bail Bucket Splash on the Lehigh (#9/26)
Calm Water Lehigh Class I and Class II Family Style Rafting (#10/26)
Spring and Fall Rafting - Wet Suit Rentals Available (#11/26)
Family Rafting Fun (#12/26)
Group Programs and Outings (#13/26)
Girl Scout and Family Style Rafting on the Lehigh River (#14/26)
Friends Rafting on the Lehigh River (#15/26)
Souvenir Photo Whitewater Rafting on the Lehigh River (#16/26)
Kayaking on the Lehigh River (#17/26)
Paintball Target Range at the Campground (#18/26)
Mountain Biking in the Lehigh Gorge (#19/26)
River Lunches on the Lehigh River (#20/26)
Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers (#21/26)
Wildlife Programs on Select Saturday Evenings (#22/26)
Bunkhouses Available to Rent (#23/26)
Tent Camping and Tent Rentals (#24/26)
Campground Store at the Adventure Center (#25/26)
Volley Ball Nets at the Adventure Center (#26/26)
Lehigh River Whitewater Rafting in the Poconos PA
Weatherly, Pennsylvania | Rafting TripsStarting at $30 per trip
Active Adventure
Whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River in the Poconos of northeastern Pennsylvania ... this is rafting just the way you want it, with rafting trips ranging from easy to exhilarating. A visit to Whitewater Challengers means real fun, real rapids, and real adventure! Come rafting for the whitewater ... or come for the scenery. Either way, the Lehigh River is the perfect close-to-home whitewater rafting adventure that feels a world away! Make this year's whitewater get-away an eco-friendly vacation adventure!
The Lehigh River is a popular whitewater destination on the east coast for family fun, group programs, boy scouts, girl scouts, or a day out with friends. Our group leader benefits feature a free rafting space with every 10 people, plus more. Group discounts apply with 20+ rafters. And the good news is, dam release rafting on the Lehigh River is less than 2 hours from New York City, most of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and much of the mid-Atlantic area.
While you're here, stay an extra day to enjoy our other adventures like rails-to-trails biking and paintball games.
Or, you can set your sights on upstate New York for world class whitewater rafting at the Hudson River or Black River
Guided Whitewater Rafting on the Lehigh River (enlarge)
The Lehigh River is a popular whitewater destination on the east coast for family fun, group programs, boy scouts, girl scouts, or a day out with friends. Our group leader benefits feature a free rafting space with every 10 people, plus more. Group discounts apply with 20+ rafters. And the good news is, dam release rafting on the Lehigh River is less than 2 hours from New York City, most of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and much of the mid-Atlantic area.
While you're here, stay an extra day to enjoy our other adventures like rails-to-trails biking and paintball games.
Or, you can set your sights on upstate New York for world class whitewater rafting at the Hudson River or Black River
Rates & Availability
(All rates in USD $)
We Invite you to take advantage of these deals at the Lehigh River! Free Trips for Group Leaders: Bring 10 or more in your group, and raft for free. Bring 20 or more and enjoy a discount for the whole group! | Trip Options | Low | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Whitewater Rafting | 33 | 59.95 | per person |
| Family-Style Whitewater Rafting | 30 | 49.95 | per person |
| Campsite Fee | 5 | 7.50 | per person |
| Bike Rental and Shuttle | 15 | 34.95 | per person |
| Paintball Games | 35 | 35.00 | per person |
| Tent Rental | 35 | 35.00 | per tent/per night + campsite fee |
| Bunkhouse Rental | 48 | 48.00 | per bunkhouse/per night + campsite fee |
| Three Meal Deal | 23 | 25.95 | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner- discount when prepaid |
| Breakfast Buffet | 7 | 7.95 | per person - discount when prepaid |
| River Lunch | 7 | 7.95 | per person - discount when prepaid |
| Dinner Buffet | 12 | 13.50 | per person - discount when prepaid |
| Wet suit rental | 5 | 20.00 | depending on items rented |
| Inflatable Kayaking | 90 | 89.95 | per person |
| Premier Plus Whitewater Rafting | 90 | 89.95 | per person |
Discounted Boy Scout and Girl Scout Rates on select weekends.
Youth Group rates available summer weekdays.
Free lunch with summer time weekday family-style whitewater trips.
Soccer Tournament Weekends: Is your youngster part of a registered (carded) travel soccer team? You'll love our Whitewater Cup Classic Soccer tournaments held on Memorial Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day Weekends... one day of great competition (3 games minimum) and an optional, off-day river trip for players, parents, coaches, fans ... anyone who wants to join in the fun! Columbus Day Weekend: Join us after the trip for our Country Crafts and Arts Festival with artisans and food vendors!(*All rates are subject to 6% local taxes and $2/person insurance charge.)
Age range, type of group
Families, Corporate Groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Youth Camps, Singles, Church Programs, and more. Trips suitable for ages 5+ or 9+.
Family Rafing on the Lehigh River (enlarge)
Sleeping and meals
The Adventure Campground at Whitewater Challengers offers convenient, comfortable access to Adventure Center activities like whitewater rafting, biking and kayaking in and around the Lehigh River Gorge State Park in the Poconos. Camping sites and rustic bunkhouses are just a few minutes' stroll from the rafting check-in area, food service, retail store and other Adventure Center facilities and activities.Our campground's sand volleyball court, basketball area and recreation field are available at no charge to our guests. A covered pavilion and group campfire/activity area may be reserved for use by your camping group for a small fee. Nearby opportunities for fishing, horseback riding, swimming, golf and more. Breakfast, lunch and dinner service are available to our guests (reservations sometimes required) from early Spring through October. The snack bar is open daily. Our retail store offers souvenirs, a variety of outdoor equipment and camping supplies. Hot showers and restrooms complete our Adventure Campground facilities. Showers are open from about mid-April through mid-October.
Boy Scout Troop Rafting on the Lehigh River (enlarge)
Other Information
Checklist and Frequently Asked River Rafting Questions
1.What do we wear? In cold weather or water, a wet suit is best. These can always be rented at our rafting center. In milder conditions, a wool sweater or windbreaker is ideal. In warm summer weather, a swimsuit or shorts and T-shirt are appropriate. Always wear laced shoes with sturdy soles (wet suit boots or old sneakers are great). Loose-fitting sandals, flip-flops, "crocs" . bare feet and river socks are not permitted. Also, in cool or cold conditions avoid wearing cotton, either on its own, or under a wet suit or windbreaker. Cotton, when wet, loses all insulation value and will make you colder, not warmer. A ski-type cap is very important in colder weather, and a baseball cap, visor, or sunglasses are helpful in bright, sunny weather.
2.What can we bring? In the raft, bring as little as possible...on the Lehigh River, a light lunch, on our other rivers, a candy bar or light snack. If there is medication you do or might require, keep it with you on the river. Towels, dry clothes, valuables, and other than waterproof cameras should be left locked in your car.
3.How do we get back at the end of the day? Your vehicle will remain at our rafting center, and our free shuttle buses will take you to and from the river.
4.How deep is the water? River depths vary. Slow, calmer stretches of water tend to be those that are deeper. Faster, choppy water tends to be shallow, often 4 feet deep or less. Regardless of the depth, however, if you should find yourself overboard (this is rare, indeed) in fast moving water, the proper procedure is to float on your back, feet pointed downstream, and not attempt to stand until the water is less than 18 inches deep. A guide or nearby raft will assist you, or you may prefer to simply swim to shore.
5.Do I have to know how to swim? Swimming ability is not required. (Nevertheless, if you are especially apprehensive in or around water, you may want to consider one of our land-based adventures, ex: Mountain Biking, ZipLine Adventure. Rafting, by its nature, places you on, in or around water most of the day.) On all of our trips a PFD is worn at all times. Safety equipment will not fit all shapes and sizes, so please consider this in planning your reservations. Also, please remember that whitewater rafting is an active sport that requires some exertion on your part. The larger the rapids, the better your physical conditioning should be.
6.How big are the rapids? Rapids are rated from Class I (easiest) to Class V (most challenging). Class VI is considered to be not navigable without unreasonable risk of injury. Our easiest trips feature Class I or II rapids. At the Lehigh River, our more exciting trips feature Class III whitewater. At the Hudson and Black Rivers in New York, you'll find Class IV rapids.
7.Do I need experience? All our trips are open to first time rafters.
8.How old must I be? Minimum age for our easiest trips is 5. Other trips post minimum ages of 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18. Please refer to individual trip descriptions for specific minimum age requirements.
9.How do I decide which river to run? For youth groups, families and first timers, we generally recommend beginning with a trip on the easier portion of the Lehigh River, the Salmon River, the middle Moose River or a summertime trip on the Hudson River. For a more challenging adventure, select a Dam Release Lehigh River trip, a summertime Black River trip, or a Springtime Hudson River trip. For very challenging whitewater, choose the Black River in May or early June, or the Hudson River in April.
Bail Bucket Splash on the Lehigh (enlarge)
1.What do we wear? In cold weather or water, a wet suit is best. These can always be rented at our rafting center. In milder conditions, a wool sweater or windbreaker is ideal. In warm summer weather, a swimsuit or shorts and T-shirt are appropriate. Always wear laced shoes with sturdy soles (wet suit boots or old sneakers are great). Loose-fitting sandals, flip-flops, "crocs" . bare feet and river socks are not permitted. Also, in cool or cold conditions avoid wearing cotton, either on its own, or under a wet suit or windbreaker. Cotton, when wet, loses all insulation value and will make you colder, not warmer. A ski-type cap is very important in colder weather, and a baseball cap, visor, or sunglasses are helpful in bright, sunny weather.
2.What can we bring? In the raft, bring as little as possible...on the Lehigh River, a light lunch, on our other rivers, a candy bar or light snack. If there is medication you do or might require, keep it with you on the river. Towels, dry clothes, valuables, and other than waterproof cameras should be left locked in your car.
3.How do we get back at the end of the day? Your vehicle will remain at our rafting center, and our free shuttle buses will take you to and from the river.
4.How deep is the water? River depths vary. Slow, calmer stretches of water tend to be those that are deeper. Faster, choppy water tends to be shallow, often 4 feet deep or less. Regardless of the depth, however, if you should find yourself overboard (this is rare, indeed) in fast moving water, the proper procedure is to float on your back, feet pointed downstream, and not attempt to stand until the water is less than 18 inches deep. A guide or nearby raft will assist you, or you may prefer to simply swim to shore.
5.Do I have to know how to swim? Swimming ability is not required. (Nevertheless, if you are especially apprehensive in or around water, you may want to consider one of our land-based adventures, ex: Mountain Biking, ZipLine Adventure. Rafting, by its nature, places you on, in or around water most of the day.) On all of our trips a PFD is worn at all times. Safety equipment will not fit all shapes and sizes, so please consider this in planning your reservations. Also, please remember that whitewater rafting is an active sport that requires some exertion on your part. The larger the rapids, the better your physical conditioning should be.
6.How big are the rapids? Rapids are rated from Class I (easiest) to Class V (most challenging). Class VI is considered to be not navigable without unreasonable risk of injury. Our easiest trips feature Class I or II rapids. At the Lehigh River, our more exciting trips feature Class III whitewater. At the Hudson and Black Rivers in New York, you'll find Class IV rapids.
7.Do I need experience? All our trips are open to first time rafters.
8.How old must I be? Minimum age for our easiest trips is 5. Other trips post minimum ages of 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18. Please refer to individual trip descriptions for specific minimum age requirements.
9.How do I decide which river to run? For youth groups, families and first timers, we generally recommend beginning with a trip on the easier portion of the Lehigh River, the Salmon River, the middle Moose River or a summertime trip on the Hudson River. For a more challenging adventure, select a Dam Release Lehigh River trip, a summertime Black River trip, or a Springtime Hudson River trip. For very challenging whitewater, choose the Black River in May or early June, or the Hudson River in April.
Nearby Attractions and Services
| Description | Distance |
|---|---|
| Camping |
On Location |
| Mountain Biking |
Shuttle Service |
| Paintball Games |
Shuttle Service |
| Hickory Run State Park |
12 miles |
| Disc Golf |
12 miles |
| Golf |
9 miles |
| Eckley Miner's Village |
5 miles |
| Historic Jim Thorpe |
16 miles |
| Lehigh Gorge State Park |
14 miles |
| Glen Onoko Falls |
18 miles |
| Split Rock Resort / Mini Golf |
18 miles |
Map & Directions
Points of Interest |
|
|
Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers288 North Stagecoach Road, Weatherly, Pennsylvania |
|
Historic Jim ThorpeBroadway, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229, USA |
|
Hickory Run State ParkPennsylvania 534, White Haven, PA 18661, USA |
|
Mountain Laurel Golf CourseWhite Haven Veterinary Hospital; Dr. Sharon Lachette VMD, HC1 Box 10B Pennsylvania 940, White Haven, PA 18661, USA |
|
Mini Golf - Galleria at Spil Rock100 Moseywood Road, Lake Harmony, PA 18624, USA |
|
Eckley Miner Village2 Eckley Back Road, Weatherly, PA 18255, USA |
Featured Adventures near Weatherly, Pennsylvania (See All)
Featured Accommodations near Weatherly, Pennsylvania (See All)
Get Your Free RealAdventures Travel Newsletter
Sign-Up Today »
Create Your Listing