Are you looking for an adventure in Harpers Ferry? River Riders has you covered! This local outfitter offers all kinds of exciting, family-friendly activities as well as gear rentals for independent travelers.
Offering excursions like whitewater rafting, zipline canopy tours, tubing, and an aerial Adventure Park, there is something for every adventure enthusiast. Once you have booked your cabin rental, it is time to start building your trip itinerary. An outdoor adventure is the perfect way to immerse yourself in what Harpers Ferry is all about! Here is your guide to all that River Riders offers.
About River Riders
- Address: 408 Alstadts Hill Rd, Harpers Ferry, WV
- Website: riverriders.com
Harpers Ferry is located at the northeastern tip of West Virginia at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. This location makes it ripe for adventure, and River Riders is a one-stop destination for all outdoor activities.
River Riders offers full-service guided tours from whitewater rafting to tubing. They also host rentals for boats, bikes, and outdoor gear. They are home to the family-friendly Adventure Park, which makes for a perfect day out for groups, couples, or even as a team-building activity.
Looking to enjoy summer in Harpers Ferry? River Riders also offer a summer camp if you have little ones with extra energy!
Potomac Play Pass
River Riders offers the Potomac Play Pass, allowing you to borrow stand-up paddleboards (SUP), kayaks, and canoes for the entire summer season! After purchasing the pass, whenever you wish to head out on the peaceful river, you simply check in at the main River Riders’ office and then head down to their riverside location to grab a boat. They offer a shuttle to the river, or you can drive yourself.
The River Riders Adventure Park
Are you up for a challenge? Head over to the River Riders Adventure Park for an aerial ropes course that is equal parts fun and tough! With over 12 elements, including ziplines, and varying difficulty levels, the ropes courses are a great time for the whole family. For the younger members of your group, there is a children’s zipline course that provides a safe, fun experience for those between 4 and 6 years old.
River Riders Activities
Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater rafting down the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers is easily one of the most popular activities in Harpers Ferry. Suitable for children and adults, beginners and experts, and everything in between, rafting with River Riders is a guaranteed good time.
Guided Trips
River Riders offers guided and unguided rafting trips. More experienced paddlers can rent a raft and gear from the outfitter and run the river themselves.
A guided excursion is an excellent option for families with kids and for those who are new to rafting. On these trips, an experienced raft guide will join you in the boat and help you navigate the Class I-III rapids, teach you paddling techniques, and provide some fun and exciting information on the area.
What to Know
- Guided trips accommodate 4 to 6 guests.
- Children must be at least 50 lbs.
- The trips are generally suitable for kids 6 to 8 years and older, depending on the trip.
- Depending on river conditions, River Riders offers an alternative route for groups with children between 30 and 49 lbs; please contact them for details.
- You will typically spend 2 to 3 hours on the river on a guided tour.
Whitewater Kayaking
If kayaking is more your style, run the rivers in an inflatable kayak from River Riders! On this kayaking trip, your guide will be with your group in their own boat and able to offer tips and assistance and will teach your group any necessary paddling techniques. This option is perfect for confident beginners to intermediate paddlers looking for an adrenaline-inducing activity.
What to Know:
- Each kayak can accommodate one person.
- Kayaking is recommended for those in good shape that are confident swimmers.
- There is a good chance you will end up in the water, so prepare to get wet!
- This trip is suggested for kids ten years and older.
Whitewater Tubing
River Riders also offers river tube rentals for those looking for another fun way to experience the rivers of Harpers Ferry. You can choose between whitewater and flatwater tubing. Accessories like floating coolers are also available for rent.
For adventure seekers, whitewater tubing on the Potomac River is hard to beat.
What to Know:
- You will be riding Class I-III rapids, depending on the conditions and water levels.
- All guests should be ten or older, at least 5 ft tall, in good physical shape, and ready for a challenge.
- This is an unguided trip, and riders should be prepared to navigate rapids and paddle around obstacles.
Flatwater Tubing
If you are looking to relax on the river, consider the flatwater tubing experience. This adventure takes place on the slower, quieter parts of the Shenandoah River and is perfect for families with young kids (30 lbs and over). A flatwater tubing float trip is perfect for staying cool and enjoying the beautiful scenery on a hot summer day.
Paddleboarding
A SUP board or canoe is a great way to explore the river and its wealth of wildlife. Bring a fishing pole and cast a line, or enjoy spotting many water birds such as egrets, great blue herons, kingfishers, ospreys, and even bald eagles.
Ziplining
Zoom through the forest canopies and across the roaring Potomac River when you book a zipline experience with River Riders! Their exhilarating course features 7 ziplines, including a 1,000-foot line crossing over the river. This guided experience takes around three hours, during which you will make unforgettable memories with your friends and family.
What to Know:
- The zipline course is suitable for guests five years and older and weighing 40 to 250 pounds.
- Be sure to wear close-toed shoes and comfortable clothes that allow a wide range of motion.
E-Biking
Take a peaceful ride through town or bike the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Park Tow Path (C&O Tow Path), a 185-mile trail that connects Washington, DC, and Harpers Ferry.
With an E-Bike rental from River Riders, you can climb hills easily with the pedal-assist feature or opt to get a workout by turning the assistance off. E-bikes are a great way to explore the Harpers Ferry area in a fun and eco-friendly way.
What to Know:
- Guests must be 16 and older.
- Your rental includes all gear and a shuttle to your destination.
- Choose from 2-hour, 4-hour, or full-day rentals.
Snow Tubing
Visiting Harpers Ferry in the winter months? Try something new and go snow tubing! The River Riders groomed tubing hill is the longest on the East Coast and is sure to be a blast.
River Riders make their own snow for the hill, so the tubing is not reliant on natural snow and can be done throughout winter. This is a wonderful activity for the whole family and the perfect addition to your winter trip to Harpers Ferry.
Explore Harpers Ferry with River Riders
River Riders is the perfect complement to any cabin rental getaway! Make lifelong memories on your upcoming Harpers Ferry cabin getaway when you book experiences with River Riders, a Harpers Ferry institution offering all the best outdoor activities in the area.
Featured Image Credit: River Riders
