Rafting FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions

Find out everything you need to know.

• How do I make reservations for our white water rafting, biking, hiking and/or Skirmish Paintball trip?

  Making reservations with us is easy! Decide which one of our exciting Outdoor Adventures you want to try – Pocono Whitewater Rafting, Pocono Biking, and/or Skirmish Paintball and what day you would like to come, then tell some friends. Be sure to check out our Events Calendar! Then call us at 1-800-WHITEWATER (1-800-944-8392) or BOOK ONLINE.

• How do I make reservations if I have passes, rain-checks, e-vouchers or gift cards?

  If you have passes, rain checks, or gift vouchers that you would like to apply toward your Pocono Whitewater Rafting, Pocono Biking, and/or Skirmish Paintball reservation, you MUST give us a call at 570-325-8430. Online reservations are not available when using these payment methods.

• What about a deposit for my whitewater rafting, rail trail biking, or Skirmish Paintball trip?

  For Pocono Whitewater Rafting and Skirmish Paintball we require a deposit of one admission per 10 guests.

  For example, when making reservations for 11 to 20, we require a deposit for two admission fees. When making reservations for 21 to 30 people, we require a deposit for three admission fees and so on based on increments of ten.

  Payment in full must be received 10 days prior to the day of your trip. If you are making reservations within 10 days of your trip date, we will ask for full payment.

  Pocono Biking reservations require payment in full at the time of reservation.

  All major credit cards are accepted over the telephone, or you may send a check or money order. If you are mailing payment, please send to Pocono Whitewater, 1519 State Route 903, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229. Mailed payments must be received 2 weeks prior to your trip date. Don’t forget to include your name, phone number and reservation or customer number.

• What is your cancellation policy for Pocono Whitewater Rafting?

  Pocono Whitewater Reservations canceled more than 10 days before the trip date may be rescheduled or refunded in full.

  Pocono Whitewater Reservations canceled within 10 days of the trip date may be rescheduled or converted to a digital raincheck (delivered via email) equal to the dollar amount paid by guests. Digital rainchecks are valid for 2 years.

  All Pocono Whitewater reservation cancellations within 2 days of the trip date will have a $15.00 rebooking fee deducted from their digital raincheck. This includes no-shows. For example, if your trip is on a Saturday, you would need to cancel by Wednesday (end of business day) in order to avoid the $15.00 raincheck deduction.

  Although very rare, all reservations canceled by Pocono Whitewater come with the options of rescheduling, receiving a digital raincheck, or receiving a refund in full. It’s your choice!

• Do you offer gift cards?

  Yes, we offer gift cards for all our activities – Pocono Whitewater Rafting, Rail Trail Pocono Biking, and Skirmish Paintball. Gift cards can be purchased for any monetary amount and be redeemed toward any activity or item in our retail stores. To purchase a gift card, just give us a call at 1-800-WHITEWATER (1-800-944-8392). Shipping is FREE!

  Please Note: If you would like to make a reservation using a gift card, you must call us at 570-325-8430. At this time, gift cards cannot be redeemed when booking online via PoconoWhitewater.com, Skirmish.com, or PoconoBiking.com.

• What is included in my white water raft trip?

  With every raft trip at Pocono Whitewater, guests will get a paddle, life jacket, bail bucket, and water-resistant bucket to use for the day. If you are on a Family Style Raft Trip from Memorial through labor day or on weekends in May, September, or October, you will get a free riverside BBQ! If you are on the Upper or Lower Gorge Dam Release Whitewater Rafting Adventure, you can bring your own lunch or purchase lunch at the Broken Paddle Bar & Grill before your trip!

• How many people go in a raft?

  Most of our rafts accommodate 4 to 7 people. If you have less than 4 people in your group, there is a possibility you will be teamed up with other whitewater rafting guests.

• Are the river guides in our raft?

  Our professional guides will be in kayaks alongside your raft. If you have special needs or feel you would like a river guide in the raft with you, we would be happy to do so for a $70.00 fee, based upon availability.

  Please call us at 570.325.8430 at least two weeks prior to your trip date to check availability and have this service added to your reservation. Keep in mind that in-raft guides are not available on Whitewater Dam Release Saturdays in July & August.

• Can we tip our river rafting guide?

  Pocono Whitewater Rafting strives to provide professional, knowledgeable, and courteous rafting staff. If you feel that your river guides have exceeded your expectations – appreciation in the form of a tip is okay. Typical tips are 1-2 dollars per guest and should be given to your river trip leader for distribution to all members of your guide team at the end of the day.

• We’re going whitewater rafting! What apparel do we bring?

  River wear in the spring & fall should include wool socks, wool/fleece hats, wool/fleece/pile sweaters, windbreakers, and wind pants. For summertime family rafting fun, bring your bathing suit, shorts, river shoes, or old sneakers. Always remember to dress for the weather. Bring eyeglass straps if you wear glasses. In the great tanning months of June thru September, remember to bring your sunscreen. Never forget a towel and a change of dry clothes, but don’t bring them with you on the raft. Otherwise, you’ll have a wet towel and no dry clothes at the end of the day. Leave them in your car and get them after the trip. NO FLIP-FLOPS & NO BARE FEET!

• What about wetsuits for our whitewater rafting trip?

  Wetsuits are State-mandated in April & October of every year. You may bring your own wetsuits on your whitewater rafting adventure or rent one of ours. Rafting wetsuit rentals are $15.00 for a full rental (top and bottom), $10.00 for 1/2 rental (top OR bottom), $10.00 for a rain paddle jacket, $6.00 for booties and $6.00 for a water gun rental.

• Can we bring our own pdf/life jacket to Pocono Whitewater?

  All whitewater rafters are required to wear U.S. Coast Guard Type 3-5 life jackets or Level 70 that have been designed for whitewater. We do provide free life jackets to all guests, but you are permitted to bring your own as long as the life jacket meets the necessary requirements.

• Do we need helmets to go white water rafting on the Lehigh River?

  You do not need helmets to go whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River. Helmets are only necessary on Class IV+ rivers. The Lehigh River is considered a Class I through III river only. If you wish to wear a helmet, we do have them available upon request. Just ask one of our staff members upon arrival at our rafting center.

• What age is considered youth?

  On our family style rafting trip, everyone ages 4 and up is welcome to raft. Children ages 4 through 12 are eligible for our youth rate. On our dam release whitewater rafting trip, individuals ages 8 and up are welcome. Our dam release whitewater rafting trip has one individual rate.

  Organized youth and student groups of 10 or more people are eligible for our youth and student adventure discount. Organized youth and student groups would be scouts, school groups, camps, fraternities, etc., that book for 10 or more guests under that specific organization. You can find all of our organized youth and student group information by clicking here. Please note: All youth and student groups should have adult supervision that will accompany the group on the river and is capable of controlling them.

• What's the difference between the Upper & Lower Gorge Dam Release Whitewater?

  The Upper and Lower Gorge Dam Release Whitewater Rafting Trips have the same river ratings as Class II & III rapids! They are simply on different sections of the river. When you do the Lower Gorge Dam Release Whitewater Rafting Trip, you will have a beautiful nature walk down to the river. When you do the Upper Gorge Dam Release Whitewater Rafting Trip, you will have your nature walk after your trip. There is no difference in price or river rating. Lunch is not included with either of these trips.

• Do we have to bring lunch on our whitewater rafting adventure?

  Lunch is good to have every day! We have a variety of subs available in The Broken Paddle Bar & Grill each morning. If you are coming rafting with a group of 10 or more people, we do ask that you please pre-order the subs from us at least one week in advance. Please visit our Food Page for options & details. Don’t forget there is a FREE Hot Dog BBQ LUNCH on our family style rafting trips from Memorial Day to Labor Day and on weekends in May, September, and October.

  You are permitted to bring your own lunch if you’d like. Please, no alcohol, glass bottles, or styrofoam containers.

• Is alcohol permitted on the Lehigh River?

  Alcohol and drugs (including marijuana) are not permitted. It is not safe for you, our other guests, or our staff members. Anyone who is presumed to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (including marijuana) will not be permitted to participate and will not receive a refund. Our “Broken Paddle Bar and Grill” will be open for celebratory drinks AFTER your adventure with us.

• What are your policies on river safety?

  We have maintained an excellent record of safety over the last 40+ years. However, any outdoor adventure activity offers varying degrees of inherent natural risk. The individual’s concentration on the task and various other factors contribute to your whitewater rafting adventure. Therefore, Pocono Whitewater cannot assume responsibility for property loss or personal liability.

  If you question your physical abilities, please consult your physician. You will be asked to acknowledge your acceptance of these conditions before your day by signing a waiver of liability form agreeing to participate at your own risk. Liability waivers that coordinate with your trip time will be given to each guest at check-in. Click here to view a copy of the waiver form.

  NOTE: Pocono Whitewater rafting trips are dependent on rainfall. The amount received will ultimately determine the river sections and length of trips offered. Keep in mind that we want to give you the best possible adventure. Therefore, we reserve the right to adjust your trip due to weather conditions, water levels, or other factors beyond our control.

• Do we need to fill out a liability waiver to go white water rafting?

  Yes. Every person that is rafting at Pocono Whitewater is required to fill out one of our liability waivers when you arrive. All rafting guests that are under the age of 18 will also need a signature from a parent or guardian. Liability waivers that coordinate with your trip time will be given to each guest at check-in. Groups of 30 or more guests can download our liability waivers, fill them out, and bring them to Pocono Whitewater on the day of your trip.

• Are there health and weight restrictions on your Lehigh River whitewater rafting trips?

  Yes, the Lehigh River is a free-flowing wild river with changing water and weather conditions. You should be healthy and capable of getting back in the raft should you fall out.

  If you have excessive weight for your height or have a disability which would hinder or prevent you from getting back into the raft, we do not recommend this trip for you. Guests that are participating in our Dam Release Whitewater Rafting Adventure must be comfortable walking for 20 minutes.

• Are there any language requirements to go whitewater rafting?

  Yes. On Dam Release Whitewater trips, for the safety of our guests and staff, we require that each raft have at least one English speaking adult able to translate safety briefings and directions to others in the raft.

• Can I go whitewater rafting if I can't swim?

  Yes, you can still go whitewater rafting. Knowing how to swim is not necessary, but you do want to have a basic comfort with water and the ability to stay calm should you end up in the river. You will be given a life jacket and whitewater safety briefing prior to your trip departure. Your life jacket is to be worn at all times on the river. If you are concerned about not knowing how to swim, we recommend trying our family style whitewater rafting trip first to make sure you are comfortable in the water.

• Can I bring my pet whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River?

  For the safety of you, your pet, and our other guests, pets are not permitted on your whitewater rafting trip or on our property unless it is during one of our specific “Dog Days of Summer” events. You can find more information on these special pet days on our calendar of events.

• Do you rent kayaks?

  Pocono Whitewater does not rent kayaks for our regular whitewater rafting trips, sorry. We offer professionally guided whitewater rafting trips on the Lehigh River. We do, however, offer a kayaking specialty trip called The Expedition.

• Can we reserve 2-Day Adventures, such as dam release whitewater rafting & Skirmish Paintball OR family style rafting & Pocono Biking?

  YES! If your group would like to do a 2-Day Adventure with us – any combination of Rafting, Biking, Hiking, or Skirmish Paintball is possible. Please give our reservation office a call at 570.325.8430 for details and rates.

• What’s the weather at Pocono Whitewater?

  We like to say that it’s always sunny here at Pocono Whitewater, Pocono Biking, and Skirmish Paintball, but if you’d like to check out the local weather forecast, click here for the most up-to-date weather in our area.

• What happens if it rains?

  At Pocono Whitewater, we run our rafting trips rain or shine. If you decide that you don’t want to raft in rain or similar weather, you can reschedule your trip or cancel your reservation.

  In accordance with our cancellation policy:

  Pocono Whitewater Reservations canceled more than 10 days before the trip date may be rescheduled or refunded in full.

  Pocono Whitewater Reservations canceled within 10 days of the trip date may be rescheduled or converted to a digital raincheck (delivered via email) equal to the dollar amount paid by guests. Digital rainchecks are valid for 2 years.

  All Pocono Whitewater reservation cancellations within 2 days of the trip date will have a $15.00 rebooking fee deducted from their digital raincheck. This includes no-shows. For example, if your trip is on a Saturday, you would need to cancel by Wednesday (end of business day) in order to avoid the $15.00 raincheck deduction.

  Although very rare, all reservations canceled by Pocono Whitewater come with the options of rescheduling, receiving a digital raincheck, or receiving a refund in full. It’s your choice!

• What do the river rapid ratings mean?

  River rapids are classified from I to VI.

  • Class I River Rapids – Easy, small regular waves, minimal steering necessary.
  • Class II River Rapids – Slightly more difficult with small drops and waves.
  • Class III River Rapids – Numerous irregular waves with drops and holes.
  • Class IV River Rapids – Very difficult with cross-currents, fast water, and large irregular waves.
  • Class V River Rapids – Extremely difficult with exploding waves, fast and powerful currents, cross-currents, large drops, and heavily obstructed riverbeds. Requires skill to navigate.
  • Class VI River Rapids – Ultimate limit of navigability.
    The Lehigh River has Class I, II, and III rapids.