The Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers offers superb outdoor adventures In New York State 
New to whitewater rafting? No worries, our Whitewater Rafting 101 section will get you up and running in no time. Learn the basics of rafting, what to look for in a rafting outfitter, and what to expect from your rafting adventure.
Are you an experienced rafter looking for an adventure that will push your limits? Take a look at some of these class 4 & 5 rivers run by our members. Guaranteed to make you wet your pants!
Whitewater Rafting is the perfect adventure for the whole family. Riversearch member outfitters have put together a great range of adventures that our ideally suited to a family getaway. From single day escapes to multi night camping adventures, your sure to find something that is great for your family vacation.
Powered By WebmasterCMS Lehigh River
Pennsylvania, United States
| Section of river: | Lehigh River (Upper Gorge, Lower Gorge) |
| Difficulty: | Class 1-3 |
| Length: | 9-12 miles/14-19 KM |
| Season: | Spring, Fall and Summer Dam Release weekends |
| Best rapids: | Triple Drop, Mile-Long, Second Chance, Percolator, Hurry Left, White Falls |
Carved by glaciers some 25 million years ago, the Lehigh River Gorge is home to the most spectacular whitewater in the mid-Atlantic region. Nestled in the western Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, the Lehigh is a frisky, family-friendly river, sporting miles of Class III action.
Pristine wilderness scenery makes it hard to believe this whitewater gem is just a stone's throw from Philadelphia, NYC, and the heavily populated mid-Atlantic corridor.
The Upper Gorge of the Lehigh, from White Haven to Rockport, features rapids such as Initiation, Triple Drop, No-Way, Second Chance and Scott's Hole. The Lower Gorge, from Rockport to Jim Thorpe, includes alternating sections of white and calm water, with some of the most impressive views of the deepening gorge. Section III of the Lehigh, from Jim Thorpe to Bowmanstown, is more mellow, with mainly Class I and II rapids, suitable for children as young as 5. Day trips are most popular on the Lehigh, but two-day trips, and a 25-mile Marathon trip are also available.
The Lehigh has always been a favorite destination for visitors from NY, NJ, PA, MD, DE, CT, and neighboring states, but with the introduction of 11 new water release weekends, it's now more popular than ever. Beginning in 2006, the US Army Corps of Engineers began to collect spring runoff behind its Francis Walter Dam, assuring a series of weekend releases (May through September) that have made the Lehigh a Whitewater Mecca. The Lehigh River flows through Lehigh Gorge State Park, where it is flanked by a popular rails- to-trails bike route ... a perfect second day activity for whitewater rafters.