White water rafting is a tremendous way to spend a spring or summer day. But if you’re new to the pastime, or you’re simply looking to make your next trip more enjoyable, you’ll definitely want to keep these five tips in mind:

1. Tailor Your Experience

Believe it or not, there are several ways to customize a white water rafting trip. If you enjoy surging rapids, for example, it might be worth visiting Whitewater Challengers’ dam release calendar before scheduling your visit. Dam releases increase the water level, making the class 2-3 rapids even more exciting. If you prefer calmer waters, along with an opportunity to take in the serenity of the Lehigh, it might be worth scheduling your trip during the week or trying our 3 Adventures Day Trip that combines biking, boating and hiking. During the week the crowds are thinner, and there aren’t any dam releases affecting the currents. Weekday trips are natural flow which can be calm or exciting depending on the weather.  Browsing our trips online will also enable you to choose which type of adventure you want.

2. Coordinate Your Rafting Group

If you have a large party, it’s worth considering that each of our white water rafts can only accommodate 5-7 people. That being the case, you may want to coordinate who will end up riding down the river with whom. Keep in mind, you’ll all be in the same general group as you paddle down the Lehigh. If you are visiting us with one or two people we will pair you with another small group…believe us when we say it’s easier as a team and it’s a great way to make new friends!

3. Set Time Aside to Enjoy Some of Our ‘Other’ Activities

In addition to rafting, Whitewater Challengers also offers access to trail biking, hiking and more. On top of which, Whitewater Challengers also has an expansive on-site campground, where you can either rent a tent or bring your own. We also have a limited number of rustic bunkhouses that book up fast! The bottom line is that the immediate region offers plenty to do and see. You don’t not want to limit yourself by rafting for the day and then hurrying home.

4. Make Sure to Dress – and Pack – Accordingly

Obviously, if you’re going white water rafting, you should expect to get wet. If the weather is warm, you may be able to get away with wearing little more than a bathing suit, and some old footwear while you’re on the water (keep in mind, that the river bed is lined with rocks). Whitewater Challengers will provide every rafter with a life jacket. If you need additional gear – or you don’t want your shoes to get wet – you can always rent a wet suit or booties at our rafting center. Check out our pre-trip check list for more info. In the event that you’re camping overnight, you may also want to prepare a checklist, so you’ll remember to bring all of the necessities along.

5. Reserve Your Spot ASAP

Assuming you have a specific day – or days – in mind for your trip, it makes sense to book your reservation as soon as possible. The reason being that the river can only accommodate so many vessels. And on summer weekends, our rafting trips and our campground fill up to capacity fast. Book your visit ahead of time! Then all you need to do is show up on the day of your reservation, and our experienced team members will help prepare you for your river adventure.

Whitewater Challengers has been white water rafting the Lehigh River in PA since 1975. We are proud of the experiences and adventures that our team provides to our guests.