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Blue Ridge Outfitters |
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Cheat River Outfitters |
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River & Trail Outfitters |
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Historical River Tours |
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Harpers Ferry River Riders |
800-326-7238 |
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| Section |
Shenandoah
Staircase to Potomac |
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Location |
Jefferson
County, near Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, eastern West
Virginia |
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Driving Time |
Baltimore—1
hour; Washington, D.C. —1 hour |
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Difficulty |
Class
I-II, III |
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Trip Length |
5-6
miles (8-9 km) |
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Trip Options |
Paddle
raft; half-day |
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Season |
April-October |
 The Shenandoah River
offers an enjoyable family-type rafting experience through the
beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains above its confluence with the Potomac
River at the historic town of Harpers Ferry.
Class
III Bull Falls, the Shenandoah River's largest rapid, comes after a
relaxing start that includes about 2 miles (3 km) of flatwater and
small waves. Below the falls, the river drops over a series of Class
II (III in high water) rapids and wide rock ledges called the
Staircase.
Downstream
from the U.S. 340 bridge, as the Shenandoah passes scenic Harpers
Ferry National Historic Park and joins the Potomac, there are
impressive views of old stone bridges, railroad trestles, and rustic
buildings. The final 2 miles (3 km) on the Potomac River before the
Sandy Hook take-out include the Class II-III White Horse Rapids.
Either
a morning or afternoon rafting trip on the Shenandoah still leaves
time for a leisure stroll in charming Harpers Ferry, where, prior to
the Civil War, falling water powered one of the nation's most
important rifle factories. This factory and the nearby federal
armory were objects of the famous John Brown raid in 1859.
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