Whitewater Rafting Shenandoah & Potomac River Rapids

• Weekdays:  10am, 2:30pm
• Weekends: 10am, 12pm, 2:30pm

Included

• Riverside picnic (Only provided on weekend 12pm & 2:30pm trips during May 25-Sep 2)
• Guide in each raft
• Shuttle
• Equipment

*Wetsuits are available for rental as needed (not included).

Required Minimum Age: 7 years old (Minimum 50 lbs.).

Length of Trip: Approximately 3 – 4 hours on the river

Dressing for River Activities

If the temperatures are in the 70s or above and you do not wish to wear a wetsuit, we suggest you wear the following:

• Synthetic shirt layers (silk, Under Armour, wool, fleece).
• Waterproof jacket.
• Leggings (Spandex, Under Armour, fleece-lined).
• Waterproof pants.
• Wool or fleece socks.
• Neoprene booties, old sneakers, or Teva-type sandals.

*Important: No flip flops or cotton.

Other Things You Should Bring

• Dry change of clothes
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle
• Glasses strap

604 Valley Road

Directions from Baltimore

1. Take I-70W to Frederick.
2. Take Exit 52 onto 340W for 16 miles.
3. Turn right on Valley Road at the yellow flashing lights just before the Potomac River Bridge. We are immediately on the left.

Directions from Washington D.C.

1. Take I-270N to Frederick.
2. Merge with I-70W toward Hagerstown. Move to far right lane immediately.
3. Take Exit 52 onto 340W toward Charles Town. Follow 340 for 16 miles.
4. Turn right on Valley Road at the yellow flashing lights just before the Potomac River Bridge. We are immediately on the left.

Directions from Northern Virginia

1. Take the Greenway to Route 7W or get directly on Route 7W (Leesburg Pike) past Leesburg.
2. Exit onto Route 9W toward Charles Town.
3. Approximately 2 miles after the small town of Hillsboro, turn right onto Route 671.
4. Turn right on Valley Road at the yellow flashing lights just before the Potomac River Bridge. We are immediately on the left.
5. At the T-intersection turn right onto 340 and cross the Potomac River Bridge.
6. Turn left at the first Maryland intersection (yellow flashing lights just past bridge) onto Valley Road. We are immediately on the left.

Directions from Harpers Ferry WV

1. Take 340 N, go approximately 3 miles past Harpers Ferry, crossing over the Shenandoah and Potomac River bridges into Maryland.
2. Just after the Potomac River Bridge, turn left at the yellow flashing lights onto Valley Road. We are immediately on the left.

Groups Arriving in Buses
When you arrive at River & Trail, continue 1/2 mile past it to the top of the hill to find turn arounds in the developments on the right. DO NOT TURN AROUND IN ANY OF THE SMALL DRIVEWAYS BEFORE THIS. This many cause an accident or a ditched bus!

What to know before you go!

So you say you’re going whitewater rafting and you don’t know what to do!
Here are some answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions at River and Trail Outfitters. Just follow these simple hints on these Whitewater FAQs to keep warm and have fun! Get wet, you bet!

• Do we need any paperwork?

  Yes. Before each activity a waiver MUST be filled out. A new waiver must be filled out and signed for each day and for each activity before participating. Waivers are now available to be signed on-line or can be found under the waivers link on our website. A copy of the waiver can be mailed or faxed upon request. Minors Anyone under the age of 18 is considered a minor and must have a parent guardian permission form filled out prior to each activity.

• Are videos and photos available?

  Currently we do not video or photograph on our trips, but we do sell waterproof cameras which can be purchased for our Harpers Ferry rafting trip at our store in Knoxville, MD.

• Where do I sit to stay dry?

  The bus. You are going to get wet 🙂 If you somehow manage to get through every rapid dry, someone is bound to take pity and dump a bailer full of water on you!

• Where can I put my beer so it does not get lost?

  Short answer: At home.
  Long answer: Save the bottled fun for after the run. If you show up for the trip intoxicated or on drugs, you will not be allowed to go and your money will not be refunded. Drunk or drugged boaters pose a serious danger to themselves, our other customers, and our staff.

• What about my physical & medical conditions?

  Please inform your reservation specialist before arrival of any physical or medical conditions of anyone in your group. Also inform your trip leader prior to the trip. We highly recommend you consult a physician prior to participating in our activities if you have any concern. We advise all ASTHMATICS to bring their inhalers. We also advise that anyone who has allergies requiring an epi-pin to bring it.Note: We reserve the right to refuse anyone participating in our adventure activities due to physical, mental or size limitations that, in our opinion, would expose that person or group to extreme risk.

• What are the age limits?

  At River and Trail we have suggested ages for each of our trips. Age limits will change depending on water levels and trip formats.
  Suggested Ages:

  • Rafting Shenandoah: 7 years & 50 lbs.
  • Rafting North Branch: 10 years
  • Kayak Lessons (Beginner): 8 years
  • Kayak Lesson (Intermediate): 12 years
  • Sit-on-tops & Thrill Kats: 12 years
  • Antietam Tubing: 7 years & 50 lbs.
  • Bike Rentals: 12 years
  • Hikes: 7 years

  *Minimum weight for a youth life vest is 50 lbs. Maximum chest size on an adult vest is 58 inches.

• Do I have to wear a life vest?

  YES. Always wear your life vest. Not only does this add another layer to keep you warm, it also keeps you floating should you decide to leave the boat mid trip. Our U.S. Coast Guard approved life vests are required by law, our insurance, and our company policy. We will provide you with an approved life vest, so please do not bring one with you.

• Should I bring my camera?

  Like you, your camera will get wet. Things also have a way of going into the river, never to be seen again. This being the case, we would suggest a sturdy strap and a waterproof camera. We do sell waterproof cameras in our outfitter store.

• Should I bring my cell phone, wallet or car keys on the water?

  As stated above “Like you, your cell phone, wallet and keys will get wet. Things also have a way of going into the river, never to be seen again.” This being the case, we recommend that you DO NOT BRING THESE ITEMS ON THE TRIP WITH YOU unless you have a completely waterproof container. Our guided trips carry cell phones for emergency situations. We suggest that you lock your personal belongings in your car trunk and give your keys to our shop staff. Watches can be worn if they are waterproof. Keep in mind that River & Trail is not responsible for any of these items mentioned that are damaged by water if you choose to take them on the trip with you. We try to keep dry boxes and bags for cell phones stocked in our shop.

• Can I request a specific raft guide?

  Yes.  Please let us know at the time of reservation the full name of the person you are requesting.

• How many people to a raft?

  Anywhere from 4-6 plus a guide, this depends on water level and group size.

• What, when and where are we gonna eat?

  For rafting & inflatable thrill kat trips at Harpers Ferry, a picnic is served on weekend 12pm & 2:30pm trips between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. Antietam tubing offers a lunch picnic all the time. Food is served mid-way to ¾ way down the trip. A typical picnic consists of water, fruit drink, fried chicken, potato salad, and fruit. Vegetarian alternatives are possible. On our dam release rafting trips we serve a picnic. If you are a group of 20 or more, other picnic options may be available!

• How do I get to that road across from Harpers Ferry?

  Comment: We know this question has nothing to do with whitewater, but it is our most frequently asked question.
  Turn onto Keep Tryst Road from U.S. 340, the flashing yellow lights just on the Maryland side of the Potomac River Bridge. Turn onto Sandy Hook Road from Keep Tryst. After you pass through a long row of houses on the right, Sandy Hook Road becomes Harpers Ferry Road. Do not park in the school bus turn-around at the end of Sandy Hook. There is parking near the C & O Canal access points just after the bridge.

• Since I am going to get wet, is it at least OK if I wear my warm sweats?

  DO NOT WEAR COTTON ON COLD DAYS.
  Cotton wicks the heat away from you when it gets wet and will cause you to become hypothermic. Wear wool, or PolyPro^tm — these will keep the heat in. Sweats are most definitely out, until after you get back to dry land. However, cotton does help to keep you cool on hot days when it is wet!

• What can I drink to stay warm?

  Drink warm liquids. These will help you replace lost body heat and warm you from the inside. Please note that warm food will have the opposite effect. A good hot meal an hour or so before the trip would, however, give you energy reserves to keep you warm.

• How do I know what to wear?

  Know the weather conditions.
  Being prepared is the best way to keep warm. Check to see what the water and air temperatures are. If you add the air temp, adjusted for wind chill, and the water temp together and they equal less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you are in prime hypothermia conditions. You can get current weather, water level, and water temperatures from the National Weather Service. Our Outfitter Store will be happy to rent you a wetsuit when the weather conditions call for it , but please reserve them in advance (sometimes they are even included, so check your specific tour). You must also wear shoes.