Mid-Atlantic Region
Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia

COMPARISON CHART / MAP

Pennsylvania
Lehigh

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Highly popular introductory raft trips through the beautiful Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania.  Relaxing family-oriented trips during low-water summer months
  
Youghiogheny (Lower)

Extremely popular and exciting intermediate-level rafting through Ohiopyle State Park and the picturesque Laurel Mountains in southwestern Pennsylvania.
  
Youghiogheny (Middle)

Relaxing introductory raft trips for families and seniors during low-water summer months.
 

Maryland
Youghiogheny (Upper)

Located near Deep Creek Lake in western Maryland, the Upper Yough rates as one of the most technical commercially-rafted stretches of whitewater in the world.
 

West Virginia
New (Lower)

Extremely popular intermediate-level rafting trips featuring challenging large volume whitewaters in the towering New River Gorge.
 
New (Upper)

The upper section of the New River is well suited for families, seniors, or anyone wanting a friendly introduction to whitewater rafting.
 
Gauley

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One of the world’s premier whitewater adventures.  With more than 50 major rapids, two sections—referred to as the upper and lower—offer highly challenging whitewaters during the fall draw-down of Summersville Lake.
 
Cheat

The Cheat Canyon’s challenging whitewaters are a favorite during a short spring season.
 
Tygart

Whitewater enthusiasts seeking an alternative to some of the well-known mid-Atlantic rivers will find the Tygart an exciting surprise.
 
Shenandoah

An enjoyable introductory rafting experience through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains adjacent to the historic town of Harpers Ferry of Civil War fame.
 

Virginia
James

Passes through the James River Park nature refuge and includes impressive views of the modern downtown Richmond skyline, numerous bridges and old factories.
 
Levisa (Russell Fork)

Whitewater enthusiasts seeking a challenge above and beyond the upper Gauley or upper Yough trips may find it on the Russell Fork. 
  

 

 Many of the Middle Atlantic region's popular whitewater stretches are geographically situated at the crossroads between the metropolitan centers of the Great Lakes and the eastern seaboard, only a few hours' drive from large urban populations. Its five most frequently rafted rivers-the Lehigh, Youghiogheny, Cheat, New, and Gauley-account for more than one-third of all rafting in the eastern United States.
      Pennsylvania's Lehigh and lower Youghiogheny rivers, two of the most frequently rafted rivers anywhere, maintain their popularity with exciting whitewater and scenery worthy of their acclaim. Both rivers now offer easy summertime raft trips for families with children as young as five.
      Western Maryland's upper section of the Youghiogheny River, rated by whitewater experts as one of the most technical commercially rafted stretches of whitewater in the world, continues to challenge all physically fit thrill-seekers. West Virginia's dynamic New and Gauley rivers continue to attract large numbers of rafters. This popularity will undoubtedly continue as professional outfitters have expanded their trip selections. On the upper New River, professional outfitters now offer introductory whitewater raft and inflatable kayak trips for first-time guests, seniors, the disabled, and families with children as young as five years. Many of these same outfitters, using small rafts and inflatable kayaks, have transformed the middle and lower sections of the traditional 'fall-only' Gauley River into an intermediate-level whitewater playground during the spring and summer months.
      Other whitewater stretches in West Virginia include the challenging Cheat River, always a springtime favorite, and the Shenandoah River, a picturesque and easy family-type raft trip adjacent to historic Harper's Ferry of Civil War fame.
      In Virginia, rafters on the James River enjoy striking views of the Richmond skyline and old factories, and an exciting run down a dynamic series of rapids commonly known as the fall line between the eastern edge of the Appalachian Piedmont and the sedimentary rocks of the Atlantic Coastal Plain.