Lehigh River Rafting FAQ

The Lehigh River is nestled in the Pocono Mountains. Our rafting center is located in Weatherly, PA just 15 minutes from the best whitewater the Lehigh River has to offer! Camping is offered onsite. Nearby Hickory Run State Park and Lehigh Gorge State Park offer miles of trails and scenic views. There is so much to do and see in this region.

Physical address: 288 N Stagecoach Rd, Weatherly, PA 18255

Please note: If you are interested in rafting with us and you need transportation from the New York City metro area, Sourced Adventures runs regular bus trips to and from our flagship location on dam release weekends. Visit their website to find out more.

If you need to mail payment for your rafting trip please mail your check or money order to PO Box 8, White Haven, PA 18661. Be sure to write your booking number or order number on your check. Thank you!

In the warmer summer months, a lightweight t-shirt, a pair of shorts, and an old pair of sneakers or wet suit booties are best. Don’t forget the sunscreen and eyeglass straps!  Make sure you bring a dry change of clothes with you – because yes, you will get wet! A baseball cap, visor, or sunglasses are helpful in bright, sunny weather.

Loose fitting sandals, flip-flops, “crocs” or bare feet are not permitted. Snug fitting sandals (like Tevas) that attach firmly at the toe and heel are acceptable, but don’t offer the same foot protection against sharp rocks as old sneakers do.

Avoid wearing cotton; when wet, cotton loses all insulation value and will make you colder, not warmer. You may also choose to wear a windbreaker or a wool sweater and/or a ski-type hat on cooler days. In colder conditions (Spring and Fall), you should plan on wearing a wet suit. You may bring your own, or you can rent one at our Adventure Center. A bathing suit or synthetic long underwear can be worn underneath.

Wet suits and waterproof paddling gear can be rented at the Lehigh River rafting center. Rental fees are:

• $12 for wet suit jacket and pants
• $6 for wet suit jacket or splash jacket
• $6 for wet suit pants
• $5 for boots
• $3 for mittens

A personal flotation device (PFD) is issued to every participant. These must be worn and buckled at all times while on the river. For cold or rainy days, wet suits are available. These can be rented at the rafting center before you head to the river. Helmets are not required, but are also available at the Lehigh River Rafting Center for a $1 rental fee.  Though infrequently needed, a first aid kit is carried on every trip.

Ideally, a raft will hold 5-7 people. In many cases, groups of 4 or fewer should assume they will be combined with another similary-sized group to provide ample paddling power in each raft (and to minimize the number of crafts on one trip). We accept reservations for single rafters and groups of 2, 3, 4, and beyond. Ultimately, group size will determine whether the entire group will need to be split into two or more rafts, or whether a small group on one reservation will need to hop in a raft with others to provide for a more efficient trip.

In the raft, bring as little as possible. If there is medication you might require, keep it with you on the river. Towels, dry clothes, valuables, and cameras (other than waterproof ) should be left locked in your car while rafting.

Our Lehigh River rafting trips stop about half way for a lunch break on the river side. Bring a light lunch or purchase a lunch from our snack bar. You can order and prepay for lunches with your reservation, in which case a lower price applies. (On warm summer days, we recommend you bring a small ice pack or frozen water bottle(s) to place in the water-tight lunch container inside your raft).

You will need to be actively paddling through the rapids, so picture-taking in the whitewater sections is inadvisable. However there are many scenic and beautiful spots along the Lehigh River. Souvenir photos are available for purchase after your trip!

Your vehicle will remain at the Lehigh River Rafting Center and our free shuttle buses will take you to and from the river. Shuttle times to and from the Lehigh River vary with each trip and traffic conditions.

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) in fast moving water, the proper procedure is to float on your back, feet pointed downstream. Don’t 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.

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. Rafting, by its nature, places you on, in or around water most of the day.

On all of our trips a personal flotation device (life jacket) 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.

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 on the Lehigh River feature Class I or II rapids; others feature Class II, III, or III+ whitewater.

If you are looking for a rafting trip with stronger rapids than the Lehigh River you can choose from our Hudson River Rafting or Black River Rafting trips nearby in upstate NY. For specific information about each river check out our How to Choose section.

At the Lehigh, except for rare instances of very high flows (above 4000 cfs from the dam) our guides are in kayaks, escorting the group and helping out as needed. There will not be a river guide in any raft. At higher flows above 4000 cfs from the dam, you can expect there to be a guide in every raft.

Your first priority is to get back into the raft as quickly as possible. Grab onto the raft, or its carrying rope. Your raftmates should reach under your armpits and then lean backwards, helping pull you up and over the raft tube. You can help by kicking, just as if you were swimming. If you get separated from your raft, whatever you do, DO NOT STAND UP in moving water. The force of the water is powerful, even if only knee-deep. Instead, lie on your back, feet pointed downstream, and float through the rest of the rapids. Then in the next calm spot, you can swim back to your raft, or to whatever raft is closest.

No. All of our trips are guided and are appropriate for first timers. Be sure to check minimum age requirements, though.

Our Easy Whitewater Rafting Trips are suitable for ages 4+ and our Premier Whitewater Rafting Trips are suitable for ages 8+.

Rafting is a team sport, and one that involves navigating your raft through the rapids. This is not a float trip. You will be asked to paddle, and how much will depend on the intensity of each particular rapid. Whitewater rafting is an active sport that requires some significant exertion on your part.

We strive to deliver top quality service. If your Lehigh River guide has met your expectations, you may feel free to show your appreciation. Remember the name of your river guide. He or she may not be on the same shuttle as you back to the rafting center.

We are extremely proud of our safety record, which is unmatched in the industry. Our training programs are ongoing and we are committed to delivering the safest trips possible. However, as with any active outdoor sport, there are inherent risks to whitewater rafting and there are factors that are beyond our control. You will be asked to acknowledge this by signing a liability waiver form before your river trip. You can also view a Whitewater Challengers video about river safety and correct paddling technique by clicking here.

In terms of COVID-19-related river safety, please visit our COVID-19 Precautions page to learn more about the various guidelines and protocols Whitewater Challengers has put in place as a response to the pandemic.