If you’re looking for an exhilarating way to unwind and have fun with your family or friends, Deanna and the PTN team have the perfect activity for you. Come get in the water and go whitewater rafting in the Poconos. Get set up and outfitted with Jim Thorpe River Adventures at Lehighton Outdoor Center.

Before heading out on the water, Deanna chatted with Jerry McAward, owner of Lehighton Outdoor Center and Jim Thorpe River Adventures. Jerry came to the area as a guest to do a whitewater rafting trip in 1979 then came back for several years because he enjoyed it so much. He eventually became a guide, then a manager and now owner of a business that aligns with his passion. Jerry always tries to keep in mind what new guests see and experience when they come for the first time to the Poconos for a whitewater rafting adventure. He said, “It’s important to us to do it right.”

Jim Thorpe River Adventures offers multiple trip options, from beginner to intermediate to more advanced. Jerry explained, “There are three different sections of the Lehigh River that you could go on. The first one is called Easy Water…the name is what it says, it’s an easy, eight-mile section. The next one we do is two miles longer and called Intro to Whitewater. That’s a great trip, and there’s a really nice rapid at the beginning. Then we do one called The BigTime Whitewater; we run from Rockport to the Glen Onoko site, and that is the premier run here in the Poconos, class II -III whitewater, 12 miles long, and it’s what everyone talks about.”

While on the river, some of the guides joined Deanna in her raft for the trip, and she asked them what they loved about whitewater rafting and being on the river. Sandy said, “I love swimming and going through the big waves, just getting splashed and having a good time.” Saige shared, “I love how exciting it is but also peaceful in the calmer areas. You get to see wildlife and nature." Lastly, Grant added, “A combination of all that, the nature, the sun, the fun, the rapids, it all just comes together. There is nowhere else like the river. I just love it!”

After getting off the river, Deanna spoke with Jerry a bit more about his experience and asked why he moved here for it, why here in the Poconos? Jerry responded jokingly, “The commute is a lot shorter than going to Arizona. This class II-III river is the closest river to Philly, New Jersey, New York, Long Island, western Connecticut, that’s where people come from.” It’s an easy drive to come experience the excitement of the Lehigh River for yourself.

Lehighton Outdoor Center also offers a full-service bike shop. Jerry said, “We do bike shuttles and bike rentals. The D&L trail is right outside our door. It runs along the entire length of the river that we do, so the biking and whitewater rafting are almost like sister activities. For many people, they do both. They come one day and raft, stay overnight, bike the next day and then go home.”

Whatever type of adventure you’re looking for, whether on the river or on the trails, Lehighton Outdoor Center has you covered for your next trip to the Poconos!