Yes, we offer gift certificates! What a great gift idea for anyone! We will customize it for you too.
“Happy Birthday Joe! Get ready for the ride of your life. Love, Sue”

We can book an actual trip or you can say ‘I want a gift certificate for $150’. We can email it or mail it! You can add one of our scrumptious sandwiches and make it everything included.

Call us today at 610-377-1230, and we’ll get that together for you!

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Boil – This is a water feature created when water churns upward and creates an elevated region in the river.

Bony – A run or rapid requiring lots of maneuvering because of the abundance of obstacles, mostly rocks.

Boof – A boof is a maneuver where a kayaker uses his paddle, rock or water feature to lift the bow of the kayak over a drop, usually performed to avoid a piton or getting stuck in a hydraulic.

Bracing – Any paddle stroke that helps the paddler maintain his/her balance. The high and low brace are the most common bracing strokes but forward and turning strokes also work as bracing strokes in many situations.

C.F.S. – Cubic feet per second. A unit of water flow used to indicate the volume of water flowing per second past any given point along a river.

Carabiner – A clip, used to secure items into the boat, and to construct safety and rescue systems.

Carnage – General term for a mishap, as in a boat flipping or someone falling out.

Confluence– The point where two or more rivers meet.

Control Hand– Refers to the hand that controls the angle of the paddle blade.

Drop – An abrupt descent in a river. A pitch.

Downstream“V”– Describes the shape of the current when it passes between two obstacles. The V points downstream and could be further delineated by wave trains.

Dry Suit – A suit designed to keep all water out, under which any amount of layered clothing can be worn.

Duckie (or ducky) – An inflatable kayak.

Eddy – A river feature formed by an obstacle in the downstream flow. A well formed eddy will have a defined eddy line and a calm pool behind the obstacle. Being able to “catch” or stop in these calm pools is one of the keystones of whitewater paddling.

Eddy Out – Term used to describe leaving the main current and entering an eddy.

Eddy Line – A current differential between the upstream current of the eddy and the downstream current of the main flow of the river.

Ender – A play maneuver enacted by nosing the boat’s bow down and deep and the stern up, which results in the boat popping vertically upward. Good fun!!

Ferry – The act of crossing a section of river without going downstream by maintaining a boat angle.

Gauge – Measures river volume in feet (physical height of the water in the river), cubic feet per second (CFS) which is the amount of water passing that particular spot on the river. A visual representation of this is to imagine that the water in the river is made up of basketballs thus the CFS in this case would be the number of basketballs passing a given spot in a second. A higher CFS means more water in the river. Can also be measured in meters per second (MTS).

Grab Loop – Loops placed in the front and back of a kayak typically used to carry the boat or tie it down to a vehicle. Grab loops can also be utilized to rescue swimmers by giving them a place to hold onto while you tow them to shore.

Gradient – The “steepness” of a river, measured in feet of elevation loss per mile of river.

Haystacks – A large standing wave caused by deceleration of current.

Headwall – Steep cliff where the main channel of the river drives against it at a 90-degree angle.

Highside! – The act of jumping to the “high side” when coming up against an obstacle sideways in a raft. When executed properly, it can help prevent a wrap or a flip.

Hole – Where water flowing over a rock or other obstacle flows down, then back onto itself in an eruption of whitewater.

Horizon Line – Usually indicates that the river gradient has dropped implying rapids, falls, or drop ahead.

Hydraulic – Also known as a hole, is a river feature where water drops over a obstruction (rock ledge or a rock) into deeper water on the downstream side. This causes water on the surface to be drawn back toward the rock or ledge. This can be a potentially hazardous feature but it could also be a feature used for playboating. Low head dam’s are the most dangerous example of a hydraulic.

Hypothermia – A serious physical condition caused by a lowering of the core body temperature.

Peel Out – Term used to describe leaving an eddy and entering the main current; bow catches the main current and quickly swings the boat downstream.

PFD – Personal Flotation Device. Otherwise known as a life jacket.

Pillow – Pillow is the water that builds up on the upstream side of an obstruction.

Portage – To carry the boats around a rapid or obstacle.

Put-in – The starting point of a river trip where boats are put into the river.

River Left – The left-hand side of the river when looking downstream. When downstream looking upstream it is on your right.

River Right – The right-hand side of the river when looking downstream. When downstream looking upstream it is on your left.

Roll – A maneuver that will right a kayak after it has been turned upside down. There are many types of rolls – C to C, the Sweep Roll, Hands Roll and the Back Deck Roll.

Roostertail – Spray of water that explodes off a submerged rock or obstacle.

Safety Talk – A pre-trip talk to learn about safety on the river to maximize awareness.

Shuttle – The most dangerous part of the trip. Driving between the put-in and take-out. One-vehicle shuttles require logistical foresight using options such as biking, walking, hitchhiking, etc., to return to the put-in.

Sit-On-Top Kayak – As the name would suggest, the paddler sits on top of the ‘sit-on-top’ kayak rather than inside a cockpit.

Surf– A surf is a maneuver in which a paddler stays on a wave or in a hole. Can be done on purpose or by accident.

Spray Skirt – A neoprene or nylon accessory that fits around the waist of the paddler and the cockpit lip of a canoe or kayak for a watertight closure.

Standing Waves (also known as wave trains) – Standing waves are associated with constricted areas of water most commonly called Downstream V’s. Water can only be pushed out downstream so fast so the water pushes upward into waves.

Strainer – An opening or openings where water can flow through, but a solid object such as a person or boat cannot. Usually formed by trees on the banks, or by rocks on top of one another with water flowing through them. A serious hazard!

Sweep Guide – This guide stays at the rear of the trip.

Take-out – River access where a trip ends

Technical – This describes the character of a rapid that requires skillful maneuvering because of frequent obstructions. Also describes specific, difficult-to-master paddling techniques.

Throw Bag – A rope made out of either poly or spectra rope that is flaked into a stuff sack that makes it easily stored.

Tongue – The smooth “v” of fast water found at the head of rapids.

Trip Leader – A Guide designated to oversee the smooth running of a trip.

Undercut – Overhanging rock or ledge with water flowing underneath it. A serious hazard!

Upstream “V” – Found on either side of a downstream “V” which represents the shape an eddy makes. Obstacles on both right and left will create downstream “V’s” and those obstacles create eddies.

Waterfall – A major drop in a riverbed, usually over six feet in height.

Wet Suit – A close-fitting garment of neoprene foam that provides thermal insulation in cold water.

Class II – Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily missed.

Class III – Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims.

Class IV – Advanced. Very difficult, long, extended rapids that require careful maneuvering of the raft. Powerful irregular waves and dangerous rocks are common. The course is hard to determine and scouting is necessary.

Class V – Expert. Long and violent rapids. Large waves that are unavoidable and irregular. Extremely difficult and complex course. Scouting is essential.

Class VI – Extreme and Exploratory Rapids. Maximum difficulty. Nearly impossible and extremely dangerous. Class V carried to the limit of navigability. Involves risk of life.

For Your Safety – alcohol and illegal drugs are prohibited and never a good idea anyway. We must refuse, without refund and by law, any person who is intoxicated. Jim Thorpe River Adventures, Inc. assumes no liability for personal injury or loss of personal gear or equipment. You will be asked and required to sign a waiver of liability prior to your trip.

Class I Whitewater

Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training.

Class II Whitewater

Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily missed.

Class III Whitewater

Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims.

• Professional River Guides
• Raft, Personal Flotation Device, and Paddle
• Waterproof containers for your lunch
• Comfortable heated changing rooms
• Super Clean Bathrooms and facility.

• Aqua socks, water shoes, booties, or old sneakers are fine. Hard soled shoes, Flop-Flops, or open-back sandals are not a good idea and aren’t permitted!
• Any personal medications.
• Bathing Attire.
•  Change of clothes.
• Eyeglass straps (Very important for those that wear glasses).
•  Fleece top, synthetic or woolen sweater. Anything but cotton!
•  Hat with a visor.
•  From March to June, wear something synthetic, polypropylene, wool or spandex for extra warmth. Do Not wear cotton!
• Towel.
• Waterproof sunscreen.
•  Windbreaker of any kind.
•  Wetsuit (Mandatory through April. Can be rented for weekend OR bring your own OR rent from a local dive shop).
•  Any foods that you need for a specialized diet. We will provide a waterproof container for your lunch.
• PLEASE do not bring glass containers of any kind, and alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs are obviously prohibited at any time due to PA State Park regulations and laws.
• No large coolers will be permitted on rafts!!

What to Bring for Inflatable Kayaking

• Aqua socks, water shoes, or booties (Sneakers and most sandals simply do not fit in the newer boat designs!).
•  Bathing Attire.
•  Change of clothes.
•  Eyeglass straps (Very important for those that wear glasses).
•  Fleece top, synthetic or woolen sweater. Anything but cotton!
•  Hat with a visor.
•  Towel.
•  Waterproof sunscreen.
•  Windbreaker of any kind.
•  Wetsuit (Mandatory through April. Can be rented for weekend OR bring your own OR rent from a local dive shop).
•  Any foods that you need for a specialized diet.

What to Bring for Mountain Biking

•  Light pack.
•  Closed toed shoes.
•  Bike shorts or regular shorts.
•  Eyeglass straps (Very important for those that wear glasses).
•  Fleece top, synthetic or woolen sweater. Anything but cotton!
•  Light rain jacket or warmer top layer.
•  Water bottle.
•  Snacks.
•  Waterproof sunscreen.

Now WARM WEATHER WHITEWATER lies less than 90 miles from the heart of Philadelphia and less than 2 hours from Midtown Manhattan! We’re talkin’ REAL whitewater, outdoors thrills and breathtaking scenery during the summer months of May, June, July, August, and September. You can’t drive your cool SUV on the roads along the Lehigh Gorge – none exist – so you have to get with Mother Nature and paddle, bike, or hike through it! The surrounding mountains and walls of the Lehigh Gorge rise up to 900 feet over your head. This provides for jaw-dropping views of nature, complete with waterfalls, hawks, great blue herons, and regular sightings of bald eagles… how cool is that?

Thanks to this landmark Lehigh River Flow Management program by the US Army Corps of Engineers, you can experience the splendor and excitement of Class 2 and 3 rapids all summer long. The Army Corps, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and the PA Fish and Boat Commission, agreed to manage the resource of the river to enhance recreational opportunities as well as significantly improve the water quality of the river. The last ten years have seen a huge improvement in water quality evidenced by some really top-notch fishing going on here!
Telling the tale of how there is now whitewater in the summer on the Lehigh is a long one. In a nutshell, the Army Corps, starting about late March, lets out less water from the dam than what comes in. This results in a rising pool level behind the dam – 70 vertical feet higher than usual. This enables the “dam release” of water that enhances recreational uses such as kayaking and whitewater rafting. The extra water also holds down the temperature of the water throughout the summer, and this coupled with the higher flows really make a difference in water quality. A lot of smart people from the public and private sector contributed to the debate of how to best use the river, and the result is nothing short of amazing.

The “water releases” as they are called add to naturally occurring flows to offer higher water levels in the heat of the summer. On Water Release weekends (every two weeks from mid-May through July then every weekend until Labor Day) water is released from the dam for 12 hours starting at midnight Friday night. The same happens on Saturday night. The result is concentrated flows during the daylight hours.

Starting below the Francis E. Walter Dam in White Haven, the river enters Lehigh Gorge State Park, and continues within the boundaries of the park to just upstream of Jim Thorpe. There are two sections of river, the Upper Lehigh and the Lehigh Gorge, referred to by local paddlers as Sections 1 and 2. Downstream of Jim Thorpe to Bowmanstown is called Section 3 – this is an easier stretch of river, perfect for summertime kayaking and kayak school, family rafting fun, and learning how to paddle rivers.
Here is a description of the highlights of each section that you’ll enjoy when you paddle the Lehigh River through the Lehigh Gorge State Park!

Section 1 (BigTime Whitewater) – 8 miles long – Immediately blast through Initiation Rapid. Soon you will be floating peacefully before the next thrill. Tannery Rapid is next, followed quickly by the always-exciting Triple Drop. You’ll go through Z, then wonder where the heck to go in the famous No-Way Rapid. Soon you enter the Ledges, Larry, Curly, Moe, and Mud Run. You’ll paddle past Wilhoyt’s Rock, and quickly you arrive at Rockport and the Take-Out for the Section 1. This slightly shorter run features the easier shuttle back and forth for private paddlers and the shorter time required makes it a favorite for paddling clubs.

Section 2 (BigTime Whitewater) – 12.8 miles long – This section starts at Rockport. In one minute you’re in Entrance Rapid – you’re paddling hard and laughing your head off right away in the big waves here. Bounce around Pinball Rock, and then thread the Eye of the Needle. Shoot past Drakes Creek and Dragon Lady Rock. In a few minutes you paddle through White Falls, then Mile-Long Rapid. Hold your breath for the ride through Bridal Veil. Sneak past Flipper Rock and choose the left or right in Double Barrel. The easy way through Hurry Right is obvious, but the middle or left side is crazy fun. The well-known Pipeline Rapid starts with an up-close and personal scrape with 45-Minute Rock, then you crash through the big waves below into Boulder Garden, Sea of Rocks, and the finale – Snaggletooth. Soon you float up to the Glen Onoko Takeout, out of breath but smiling from ear to ear. This stretch is known for longer rapids and the taller walls of the Lehigh Gorge.

Intro to Whitewater Section – 10 miles long – This section is perfect for those people not quite sure if they want to attempt BigTime Whitewater. The trip starts at Glen Onoko. After a short, beautiful float through a quarter mile of smooth flowing river, you enter the rapid called Deaton’s Demise! This is a long Class 2 rapid that starts the day off with a bang. Soon your drifting lazily towards the town of Jim Thorpe, when you enter Last Chance just before zipping by the historic district of Jim Thorpe itself. In a minute you’re in Jim Thorpe Rapid, and what follows is about 8 miles of easy moving water through the lush countryside of Carbon County. The grand finale of this section is the fast and exciting Bowmanstown Rapid, then you drift your way to the Bowmanstown Takeout beach.

EasyWater Rafting Section – 8 miles long – This trip starts at the Train Station in Jim Thorpe and is the section we recommend for kids Age 4 and up, plus people of any age who might be fearful, or anyone who in their opinion isn’t is the greatest physical shape! For those starting here, the first rapid is right around the bend. Great practices sites abound making this part of the river the place where many people learn to kayak and maybe get their first taste of whitewater. This river run ends with a rapid known as Bowmanstown Rapid. Several groups have their own name for this, but the kayak schools call it Final Exam.

You’ll find Jim Thorpe River Adventures to be well-organized, well-trained, and a fun bunch with whom to spend the day. So get out of your suburban or city life and recharge this spring and summer! Get yourself up to the Lehigh River Gorge. There is a ton of things to do, all involving fresh-air, sunshine, and beautiful river scenery.

*Voucher may be issued for trip value minus $15 per person processing fee.

Jim Thorpe River Adventures, Inc. reserves the right to cancel any trip or reschedule any trip for an alternate section of the river due to water conditions or extreme weather. Trips run rain or shine.

There are ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS or rain-checks offered on food cancellations made within 24 hours or due to no-shows the day of your trip.

Running rivers in rafts is a really enjoyable, healthy outdoor activity. We firmly believe in the restorative powers of the Lehigh River experience for all the stressed people living in the Northeast US. It is, however, an outdoor adventure sport with an element of risk. Most people work their way up the ladder of river adventure, starting out with easier trips first and working their way up as they gain experience. Every Lehigh River rafting trip can be done by people who are brand-new to the sport, but trying an easy trip first makes sense – here’s a suggestion.

No matter what we tell them, people are usually apprehensive until they go through their very first rapid. After that first one, they look back upstream with a big smile on their face and have to say something like “WahOOO! Now that wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought…AWESOME!!!” A lot of the crazy whitewater stories you might hear in public did not happen on this river, or many times not even in this country. You could ask the tens of thousands of very happy people who come through here every year without a scratch every year!

Lots of people are fearful for some reason about whitewater rafting. Most people who are afraid have just heard scary stories, or watched wild rafting documentaries on TV, and these are generally not representative of the Lehigh River rafting experience.

Quick Reference Guide to Choosing the Right Trip for You and Your Family!

EasyWater Rafting Trip

• 8 miles from the town of Jim Thorpe to Bowmanstown
• 3-4 hour trip

• Perfect trip for first-timers
• Kids down to age 4, Adults up to 94
• Lots of time to swim around outside of the raft in between rapids
• Wonderful river rafting experience for those of us who’ve had a couple too many milkshakes over the winter
• Ideal outdoor adventure for the apprehensive person, or the worried parent
• This is THE trip for young families – cool for everyone and gives people a real taste of handling a raft.

Intro to Whitewater Trip

• 10 miles from Glen Onoko to Bowmanstown
• 4-5 hour trip

• Adventurous first-timers
• Ages 6 – 86 Young and not-so-young kids can go on this one, too
• Starts with a bang with your first Class 2 Rapid
• Even more spectacular scenery of the Lehigh Gorge State Park start point
• Enjoy the quiet pools and easy swimming opportunities during the trip

BigTime Whitewater Lehigh Gorge Rafting

• 12+ miles
• 5-6 hour trip

• This is our most-exciting trip through the Lehigh Gorge State Park
• Breathtaking Scenery
• 20+ named Rapids for an exhilarating whitewater rafting experience
• Class 2 and Class 3 rapids all day long
• Perfect for experienced rafters or healthy, adventurous first-timers looking for thrills

Kids just totally unwind when you put them in a raft on a beautiful river! It may seem nearly impossible to distract young ones from their electronic device world, yet every day we see the magic of the Lehigh River focus kids young and old. Look up the phrase “Nature Deficit Disorder” – the concept of playing outside is getting a little lost these days. We all know the benefits of physical activity and being outdoors with just the right dose of sunshine. What you might not realize is that a rafting trip is an overpowering playful distraction from that reliance on electronics. We constantly hear kids yelling out “this is the best day EVER!!” while they are rafting with their families. Surely they’re not going to forget their devices – but for a few hours they will be transformed into adventurous, physical people!

Kids love whitewater rafting with JTRA

Children in a raft can act as an “equal” partner in paddling the raft, fostering a real sense of accomplishment whether they are with friends or family. Seeing a hundred smiles come off the river each day is evidence enough for us. Rafting with Kids is something to be experienced first-hand. This is a very affordable way to fire up the love of the outdoors in your kids. There is something brand new to deal with every minute on a raft trip – guiding and steering the raft, finding the best waves and rapids, enjoying the banter between friends, and lots of laughter. Kids (and some adults we know) love waterfights, too! Get your kids out here in the Great Outdoors – a Lehigh River raft trip is a close to home solution to a really positive, really affordable outdoor adventure experience for them!

The often-used term “Dam Release” refers to water released above and beyond the usual amount. When you hear us say “this is a Dam Release Weekend” that means extra water, and usually just the right amount to run all sections of the Lehigh River, including the BigTime Whitewater of the Lehigh Gorge State Park. The Army Corps of Engineers, the smart folks that protect us and regulate water levels all over these United States, are hard at work behind the scenes making all this rafting fun possible.

As professional river outfitters you can trust that your friends running Jim Thorpe River Adventures watch water levels very closely. We are constantly aware of weather and environmental conditions – especially the Fun Level Conditions! We know that you trust us to make good decisions and to make things as safe as possible. Honoring that trust is important to us.

The Lehigh River enjoys natural flows (what we call Base Flows) to go rafting every single day of the year. Some water levels require us to do the 8 or 10 mile section, and other higher levels allow rafters and kayakers to enjoy the Class 2-3 rapids through the Lehigh Gorge State Park!

So you can be confident we have rafting on weekends that aren’t Dam Release Weekends. And you can be confident that if you want BigTime Whitewater Rafting, a Dam Release Weekend is one you want to choose. We’re here day in, day out, running rafting trips, kayak school classes, and having a great time. We’ll always be honest with you about the water levels you can expect! Please call us in our office if you have any questions at all. We know this can be a new experience but you have our promise that we’ll make it as easy to understand as possible.