Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is the mountain getaway you’ve been searching for. Home of the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, you’ll love spending a long weekend among pristine nature, impressive history, and a charming small town that truly welcomes it’s visitors. Located at the confluence of the Potomac River and Shenandoah River and, you’ll have plenty of options for your tubing trip to Harpers Ferry.
Along with lazy river tubing options you can get a little more adventurous and opt for whitewater rafting in sections of the rivers with more rapids. For this article though, we’ll stick with what you need to now to plan the perfect tubing adventure in Harpers Ferry WV.
Let’s dive right in!
What Is Tubing in Harpers Ferry? Why Is It So Popular?
Tubing is simple: grab a tube, hop into the river, and enjoy a leisurely float. In Harpers Ferry, tubing has long been a favorite summertime activity. When temperatures rise, the river beckons.
But it’s not just the cool water that draws tubers to Harpers Ferry. It’s also the scenery and the wildlife! There’s no better place to take in Harpers Ferry’s soaring cliffs, majestic wildlife (including golden eagles, bald eagles, and peregrine falcons), and lush landscape than from one of its twin rivers, the Potomac and the Shenandoah.
In fact, Harpers Ferry is consistently ranked one of the top rivers in the entire US for tubing.
What Do I Need for Tubing in Harpers Ferry?
If you’re the DIY-type all you need for a day of tubing in Harpers Ferry is a tube and a life jacket, though other items may make the trip more fun (like a floating cooler)!
The main difficulty is that if you drift down the river you will need some way to get back to your car. Outdoor outfitters in Harpers Ferry solve this problem by providing everything from full-service tubing (they provide all the gear and the shuttle) to shuttle-only service (you provide your own gear, they provide the ride back to your car).
Who Offers Tubing in Harpers Ferry?
There are three outfitters who provide epic outdoor adventures in Harpers Ferry. All three of these companies offer other tours than just tubing so they’re a good starting point to plan a zip lining, kayaking, or rafting trip, too.
Harpers Ferry Adventure Center
Harpers Ferry Adventure Center is unique in that they have their own private take-out on the shores of the Potomac River. At the end of your trip, hop out of the river and catch their short shuttle up to the top of the hill where you parked your car.
Before you leave the area stop at Harpers Ferry Brewery for a beer and a view over the river that you won’t want to miss!
River Riders
River Riders’ claim to fame is that their whitewater tubing trips are longer than their competitors, thanks to the fact that they have a private put-in on the Potomac upriver from historic Harpers Ferry.
River & Trail Outfitters
Unlike the other outfitters, River and Trail has two different locations for flat water tubing. Switch it up with River and Trail and take advantage of seeing Harpers Ferry from two different angles.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there on the river and tube!
Looking for more ideas for your trip to Harpers Ferry? Visit our Things to Do page.
Looking for a place to stay in Harpers Ferry? Check out our incredible Harpers Ferry cabins and vacation homes!
