Pocono Whitewater
Pocono Whitewater
4
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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About
There’s something fun here at Pocono Whitewater for every level of adventurer! Choose from our family style rafting, our Dam Release Gorge rafting, and our multiple combination trips. Try our most popular adventure: The Big Day Out! In addition to whitewater rafting, we also specialize in Pocono Biking and Skirmish Paintball! Visit our website today and plan your trip to the Pocono Mountains!
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
357 reviews
Excellent
206
Very good
78
Average
35
Poor
17
Terrible
21
Laura A
4 contributions
Jul 2020 • Friends
Very organized operation, great customer service and overall a great experience. We did the white water rafting, the explained everything in detailed beforehand and made it fun. The guides along the way were very friendly and helpful. The free BBQ lunch was smaller than we expected (only hot dogs) but everything else was great. I definitely recommend them and will use this company again if I’m back on the area, I regret not renting bikes from their sister company as I tried to use Pocono Bike Rental and it ended up being a nightmare. Not all tourist companies are created equally and Pocono Whitewater certainly sets the standard high and delivers a great and fun experience! Thank you :)
Written July 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Navigate787233
1 contribution
Sep 2020 • Family
I want to start by saying that the guides were excellent. But the overall experience was disappointing and scary. We had to take a 15 minute bus ride from the check in area to and from the white water location. No social distancing practiced at all in the bus. Everyone was seated right next to each other, no row spacing between anybody. Even though they announced for everyone to use your masks with the mouth and nose covered, they didn’t enforce strictly. I would not recommend Skirmish to anyone unless they enforce Covid practices strictly. There is no vaccine or treatment yet and they are prioritizing maximizing short term profits over long term safety and reputation. Overall i am shocked that social distancing and proper mask wearing are not practiced widely in the Poconos. Only about 20% of people at Hotels and other public areas are being cautious.
Written September 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teddy
West Chester, PA2 contributions
Jul 2020
We did the dam release on Saturday, July 11 at 1PM and had an excellent guide named Lindsay! She kept a large group together and personally made our experience a delight. She was informative, entertaining and kidded around with our teenagers and made us really enjoy the experience. First rate all the way around. Would definitely do again. Thanks Lindsay!
Written July 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abby O
3 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
Not happy with recent experience for following reasons:
1. Dirty life vests
2. RASH
3. Boring
4. Extremely crowded
5. No social distancing
I’m reposting this because this unhappy customer could not have said it better!Took the words right out of my mouth! This is the most accurate description of this place that I’ve read yet.
I was extremely unsatisfied with my experience here this past weekend. To begin, I GOT A RASH where the lifevest touched my skin... thank goodness I had a tank top on otherwise I would have it all down my back as well. Absolutely disgusting and when putting on the lifevest it smelled absolutely horrible! No way the “sanitizing bucket” that everyone dips their vest in for under 2 seconds is actual CDC approved sanitizer or even sanitizer at all.
Third, it was very boring even after major storms during the week prior to going as well as it being a dam release weekend. Most definitely NOT class 3 rapids. Furthermore, it was a very crowded group. There was ZERO social distancing on the bus, as everyone was 2 to a seat with every seat filled. The crowded group also caused for too many rafts on the river. We had to stop and wait literally every 5 mins to make sure the whole group was back together. That was the most frustrating part. I think we spent more time holding onto a tree branch waiting than we did actually flowing down the river.
My friends and I go white water rafting every year at least 4/5 times. Never was an experience like this. It is safe to say I will not be returning to this company again. There are at least 4 other white water rafting companies to choose from in the poconos. I highly suggest going with them.
1. Dirty life vests
2. RASH
3. Boring
4. Extremely crowded
5. No social distancing
I’m reposting this because this unhappy customer could not have said it better!Took the words right out of my mouth! This is the most accurate description of this place that I’ve read yet.
I was extremely unsatisfied with my experience here this past weekend. To begin, I GOT A RASH where the lifevest touched my skin... thank goodness I had a tank top on otherwise I would have it all down my back as well. Absolutely disgusting and when putting on the lifevest it smelled absolutely horrible! No way the “sanitizing bucket” that everyone dips their vest in for under 2 seconds is actual CDC approved sanitizer or even sanitizer at all.
Third, it was very boring even after major storms during the week prior to going as well as it being a dam release weekend. Most definitely NOT class 3 rapids. Furthermore, it was a very crowded group. There was ZERO social distancing on the bus, as everyone was 2 to a seat with every seat filled. The crowded group also caused for too many rafts on the river. We had to stop and wait literally every 5 mins to make sure the whole group was back together. That was the most frustrating part. I think we spent more time holding onto a tree branch waiting than we did actually flowing down the river.
My friends and I go white water rafting every year at least 4/5 times. Never was an experience like this. It is safe to say I will not be returning to this company again. There are at least 4 other white water rafting companies to choose from in the poconos. I highly suggest going with them.
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ald3114
Philadelphia, PA225 contributions
Aug 2020
We went on a dam release Saturday. It was the family rafting experience. The guides were the best. Jim and I forget the names of the others were great. We didn't expect lunch, but here was lunch (hot dogs, potato salad, chips, apple and lemonade). Definitely a workout, our arms were fatigued. It was hard to steer our raft straight. The scenery was amazing.
Our raft had 8 family members in it. We had an 8 year and 12 year old in the raft. The kids were frightened, it was too much for them. The age limit should be higher. We hit a couple rocks and got stuck on a couple.
Tour was booked for 12:35 and we didn't get to the briefing/education until 1:15 and then to the 15-20 min bus ride and into the raft. The life vests were molded/dirty. The social distancing on the bus was too close for comfort, even though we all wore masks. At the end there is a sanitizing trough for the life vests. Not sure it worked.
The other rafts had water guns and would throw buckets of water on each other and occasionally swim in the Lehigh at certain points.
We had fun for a first time experience and know what to expect the next time. It is for adults and those who can paddle well and not give up. Not COVID compliant.
Our raft had 8 family members in it. We had an 8 year and 12 year old in the raft. The kids were frightened, it was too much for them. The age limit should be higher. We hit a couple rocks and got stuck on a couple.
Tour was booked for 12:35 and we didn't get to the briefing/education until 1:15 and then to the 15-20 min bus ride and into the raft. The life vests were molded/dirty. The social distancing on the bus was too close for comfort, even though we all wore masks. At the end there is a sanitizing trough for the life vests. Not sure it worked.
The other rafts had water guns and would throw buckets of water on each other and occasionally swim in the Lehigh at certain points.
We had fun for a first time experience and know what to expect the next time. It is for adults and those who can paddle well and not give up. Not COVID compliant.
Written September 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JENNIFER S
1 contribution
Jul 2020 • Family
We honestly loved the river experience! The guides were awesome. We went out in the 10:45 trip today. If you are looking for a moderate trip this is for you! This was our first rafting trip on which we didn’t have a guide in our raft. Definitely manageable if first timers. There are about three class III rapids and several II and I. We had a great time and were exhausted after paddling about 5 hours on the river. The lunch break was nice too.
We had 18 rafts in our group and had to keep waiting for people that got stuck and that killed way too much time.
The life jackets were sanitized and paddles were too. The facilities are
Clean. Changing rooms and bathrooms were also very clean. My only major complaint is that after a full day of safety precautions, they packed us onto a fully loaded bus. Most people were wearing masks but some were not. One of the employees was not and we asked him to please put it on. Masks should be mandatory for all guests and employees and the busses should be less than full. We all want to experience the outdoors safely.
We had 18 rafts in our group and had to keep waiting for people that got stuck and that killed way too much time.
The life jackets were sanitized and paddles were too. The facilities are
Clean. Changing rooms and bathrooms were also very clean. My only major complaint is that after a full day of safety precautions, they packed us onto a fully loaded bus. Most people were wearing masks but some were not. One of the employees was not and we asked him to please put it on. Masks should be mandatory for all guests and employees and the busses should be less than full. We all want to experience the outdoors safely.
Written July 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lilia T
Collegeville, PA9 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Definitely a great time! Completely worth driving long distance for . You get your own raft and guided through the water though still having independence with your group. The staff went over the rules and helped out if assistance was needed in the water. Unfortunately COVID guidelines were not followed. We were placed on a school bus with many other people. The bus was full! And staff did not sanitize the bus when one group put off to another one getting on. Too many times the whole group was together without masks as the staff stated “if your choice if you want to wear a mask right now” No, everyone should have a mask on to protect “everyone”. Many times the staffs mask would slip down when talking and they did not pull them back up. One staff member even got close to talk to me and did not have a mask on . Besides the COVID guidelines , it was a great trip.
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mer427
Long Island, NY70 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
Overall the experience was great, well organized and a perfect family activity. Checkin was easy, the only issue was you wait around awhile for the briefing to begin, if you could hear and were paying attention they definitely review important info. They review a lot of information; so for a first time rafting experience, it may be harder to follow. I understand it’s really their only time to cover everything, but I encourage you to pay attention as it is very useful info while out on the River.
Fairly short bus ride back to center of Jim Thorpe for boat launch. We did the Family tour, so low key rapids, nothing scary or intimidating. Easy to navigate and follow the guides.
Lunch- this was a major fail. It should NOT be advertised as a bbq lunch. Very low grade hot dogs, buns & pb&j on those same buns that you make, is not a “bbq lunch”. Buckets of potato salad & chips. Containers of water and lemonade, which were cold and you could fill up your own water bottles from. It was a picnic spot halfway down River, with porta potty’s: the women running it were nasty and annoyed the second we arrived. I highly encourage you to bring your own lunches, as this was a really low grade food option.
The guides were super helpful, the River was clean and refreshing. We were on the water about 4 hrs, so it’s a long day plus the initial checkin and bus ride, all in its close to 5 hrs.
I would definitely do it again and recommend it.
Suggestions: bring your own lunch, they don’t advertise it but they have buckets with kids which can keep some personal items or good dry. I called and asked if a small cooler could be brought, they said yes and we packed water bottles & sunscreen which we were very happy to have along the journey!
You need shoes with backs, there are opportunities to jump in water and anything else will fall right off and likely be gone. Water-shoes or old sneakers are best.
Bring some cash to tip the guides after. You’d never think to do it and after the ride it’s not easy to find them and get them cash. We gave it to the leader & he divides it out.
Do bring your phone and a wet bag. I was so glad to have it for photos along the journey! You never get too wet where you’ll be worried to have it and the likelihood of falling out or having boat tip, is beyond slim!
Be prepared to paddle almost entire time. It’s an arm and back workout for sure.
We had 3 kids with us, 9 being the youngest. They all enjoyed it and could participate.
This is by no means a small tour experience, there were 20+ boats in our group. But it was nice to only have our family in our boat. It seemed they were 4-7 ppl max.
Fairly short bus ride back to center of Jim Thorpe for boat launch. We did the Family tour, so low key rapids, nothing scary or intimidating. Easy to navigate and follow the guides.
Lunch- this was a major fail. It should NOT be advertised as a bbq lunch. Very low grade hot dogs, buns & pb&j on those same buns that you make, is not a “bbq lunch”. Buckets of potato salad & chips. Containers of water and lemonade, which were cold and you could fill up your own water bottles from. It was a picnic spot halfway down River, with porta potty’s: the women running it were nasty and annoyed the second we arrived. I highly encourage you to bring your own lunches, as this was a really low grade food option.
The guides were super helpful, the River was clean and refreshing. We were on the water about 4 hrs, so it’s a long day plus the initial checkin and bus ride, all in its close to 5 hrs.
I would definitely do it again and recommend it.
Suggestions: bring your own lunch, they don’t advertise it but they have buckets with kids which can keep some personal items or good dry. I called and asked if a small cooler could be brought, they said yes and we packed water bottles & sunscreen which we were very happy to have along the journey!
You need shoes with backs, there are opportunities to jump in water and anything else will fall right off and likely be gone. Water-shoes or old sneakers are best.
Bring some cash to tip the guides after. You’d never think to do it and after the ride it’s not easy to find them and get them cash. We gave it to the leader & he divides it out.
Do bring your phone and a wet bag. I was so glad to have it for photos along the journey! You never get too wet where you’ll be worried to have it and the likelihood of falling out or having boat tip, is beyond slim!
Be prepared to paddle almost entire time. It’s an arm and back workout for sure.
We had 3 kids with us, 9 being the youngest. They all enjoyed it and could participate.
This is by no means a small tour experience, there were 20+ boats in our group. But it was nice to only have our family in our boat. It seemed they were 4-7 ppl max.
Written July 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee H
Spring Valley, NY61 contributions
Jun 2020
I went on a dam release day and the river was flowing at a decent level. Lots of fun and decent waves, the gorge has amazing views.
Like the rest of the outfitter in the Northeast they run like 3 bus loads at time so if your expecting a secluded time on the river go out of the Northeast.
I happen to like the consept of have guides float around the raft giving instuctions, we have rafted many places before and its a novel consept.
You need to walk about 15 minutes thru the wood to the put in spot and then wade thru a creek with the raft to the river.
BIG CON: they dont use self bailng rafts this is the first outfitter in like 15 years that I have seen the does not use self bailer, be prepeard to sit for 3 hours in cold river water that is knee high,
Like the rest of the outfitter in the Northeast they run like 3 bus loads at time so if your expecting a secluded time on the river go out of the Northeast.
I happen to like the consept of have guides float around the raft giving instuctions, we have rafted many places before and its a novel consept.
You need to walk about 15 minutes thru the wood to the put in spot and then wade thru a creek with the raft to the river.
BIG CON: they dont use self bailng rafts this is the first outfitter in like 15 years that I have seen the does not use self bailer, be prepeard to sit for 3 hours in cold river water that is knee high,
Written June 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sami G
New York13 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
I would not go back till the Corona Pandemic has passed. Admittedly, we had fun, the river is beautiful and the guides were great. But from a Corona safety perspective, this was awful. Even though it was outdoors, there were way too many people in way too close quarters - no social distancing while getting life vests, waiting on line for safety briefing, waiting on line for the bus, on the bus, getting off the bus, getting rafts, at the lunch break or on the bus back. Only sanitizing of equipment was customers being required to briefly dunk vests in a dunk tank before returning them to the pile for the next group. We chose this activity thinking outdoor activities would be the safest Corona option, but this company was not sensitive to providing a socially distant, Corona-safe environment. They should be cutting at least half the amount of people they are taking out each trip and they should be enforcing social distance while on lines, on busses, assigning rafts and in crowded spaces. Very disappointing. Hoping not to get sick. Stay healthy all!
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My family and I (3 kids) are staying overnight in the area- can anyone recommend an fairly easy hike trail for the next day? Either near by or on the way back to NJ?
Written July 21, 2019
Can you bring beer in a backpack? Also are there guides or are you able to go at your own pace?
Written July 18, 2019
Please no alcohol during the trip. And drink responsibly when your done with the trip and are back to our Broken Paddle Bar and Grill. All our trips have guides in their own kayaks leading the trip
Written July 23, 2019
Do you provide helmets? I am concerned about safety and in previous reviews people are saying that you do not.
Written June 15, 2019
We have helmets upon request. You would just need to talk to your guides the day of your trip.
Written June 17, 2019
Would the water be too cold if the temperature is in the upper 70s or low 80s?
Written July 10, 2018
It depends if it is sunny. It might be okay if sunny and in the 70s. You will probably have no problem if temps are in the 80s. It is all personal preference. No matter what, if you decide to go, you need to make the best of it. Each time you go down the river, conditions can be different. I’ve been when the water is so high there are so very few rapid and I’ve been when the water is so low I’ve had to drag my raft down the river. If you go with expectation and then they are not met you are surely to be disappointed. If you go with the outlook that you will have an adventure you will have a blast no matter what the temperature of the air or the water.
Written July 11, 2018
What happens if there is lightning on the river or forecast of thunder and lightning. Is there a plan? I do not see lightning plan... sure if it rains you just go. Just checking lightning safety plan.
Written June 21, 2018
PoconoBiking
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
We run our trips rain or shine, if a storm starts to happen while trips are still at our facility we will hold trips back til the storm passes, if a storm comes through while trips are on the river, you are in a rubber raft and may just have to paddle through it. Storms do not typically last very long in our area, they generally pass through quickly. It will be the Guide's decision to possibly pull the trip over to wait the storm out while on the river.
Written June 22, 2018
What happens if the weather is bad?
Written May 19, 2018
Would like to my family with children ranging in ages from 4-13. Is it too much for my 4 year old? Is it very fast and scary that would be too intense for him?
Written August 7, 2017
Not scary at all. If the water is running high, do the family trip.
Written August 7, 2017
ekm347
Long Island, New York
Hi - Is there some sort of waterproof container to hold your lunch? Does the company provide or do we need to bring our own?
Written July 19, 2017
they give you a water 'proof' plastic bucket to carry your lunch in. ours was watertight. If you buy their lunches, they come.in water resistant bags.
Written July 21, 2017
Do you need to be a swimmer to do rafting here, we are planning for family style rafting but few of us are non swimmers?
Written May 7, 2017
Absolutely not. That is the beauty of this place!
Written July 20, 2017
I have done the white water rafting myself but would like to take my kids age 5, 6, and 13. How does the pirate adventure differ from the traditional trip? Would it be boring for my 13 year old?
Written March 6, 2017
Hi Maygon, Thanks for your interest! It depends on which trip you took the first time around. The Pirate Adventure is similar to our family style adventure as it is on the same section of the river. It's a fun filled day for the kids and parents. Memorial Day though Labor Day, we have a free riverside bbq for the whole family! I don't think it would be boring for your 13 year old, but of course you should use your own judgement with that. We hope to see you on the river and if you have any questions, feel free to call us at 1-800-944-8392! Thanks Maygon!!
Written March 7, 2017
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