Whitewater means adrenaline, roaring hydraulics, and possibly a swim. At River Riders in Harpers Ferry, it also means climbing into a tube and floating down the river, with nothing between your bum and the mighty Potomac. Whitewater tubers don a PFD, grab a paddle to help steer, and set off on a 3.5-mile journey through class I–III rapids to enjoy some of the liveliest tubing in Appalachia.
If that sounds like too much, or if you’re worried about losing your sunglasses, River Riders also offers a flatwater tubing experience. On the other side of Harpers Ferry, you can ease into the Shenandoah for the longest tubing trip in the area, a relaxing float River Riders calls “the Sunday drive of all river trips.” Instead of riding in the backseat with Great-Aunt Rhoda, you can float for 2.5 hours. With a cooler in tow.
Adventure seekers who want a little more control over their own destiny may prefer a classic whitewater rafting trip, which remains the resort’s signature adventure. Trips last two to three hours, and whitewater is family-friendly class I–III. Guides share stories and history about Harpers Ferry as the rafts navigate the Shenandoah River. This is a great trip for first-timers, younger kids, and people looking to gain confidence on the water.
Once you’ve had a good paddling, come on out of the river, because there’s plenty to do up in the treetops. River Riders’ Zipline Canopy Tour features seven ziplines and two sky bridges, including a 1,000-foot-long zipline that goes along the Potomac and a 50-foot freefall jump to dismount from the course.
If you’d rather fight gravity, Aerial Adventure Park has more than 100 challenge course elements and varying levels of difficulty. It’s got levels for families with younger kids, plus areas for intermediate and advanced climbers as well.
River Riders’ newest activity is Harpers Ferry Water Park, but don’t imagine concrete and chlorine. It’s located at a private quarry, where guests can bounce, climb, and leap from inflatable floats, slides, trampolines, swings, and monkey bars. No chemicals here!
