Zip and Splash in Harpers Ferry!

Nothing compares to the sensation of flying through the forest!
River and Trail Outfitters is now offering that experience.

The first time I went zip-lining was in Puerto Rico. The zips were relatively short, but we were sailing over pristine waterfalls and beautiful foliage. It was scary...I'm not really into heights....and new things always make me nervous. Unfortunately, everyone knew I was a whitewater guide, therefore adventurous, and I was volunteered to do everything first. Which, unfortunately meant I slammed smack into my cute Puerto Rican tour guide at the end of my first zip.

River and Trail can't offer a cute Puerto Rican tour guide, but our new zip-line is the longest single zip in the Harpers Ferry area! The zip-line is expertly constructed at Camp Manidokan, a beautiful property in the hills of Maryland/ West Virginia.

If you're more into air than water, we offer 2 rides on the zip for $15 + tax. But, when you book your zip trip in combination with our water activities...you save money! We offer Zip and Splash Adventure Combos with Antietam Creek tubing or whitewater tubing on the Potomac River. We also offer a Zip, Sip, and Splash combo that throws a tasting at a distillery into the mix! YUM!

Check out our ZIP & SPLASH VIDEO!

Red, White, and Brew

What a fantastic week at River and Trail Outfitters!

We had a BLAST for the 4th of July!
On Thursday, we took the rockwall and kayaks to WFRE and Celebrate Frederick's Party in the Park. We climbed, rocked out to Lonestar, and paddled under the fireworks.

For the weekend, we packed up and headed to raft the Savage River in Western Maryland. The Savage runs a few times a year when the dam releases and 800 cubic feet/ second of water come rushing down the creek. The run is an exhilarating hour of class III-IV rapids and a homemade BBQ afterward!

The next Savage release is in September. We pair the trip with rafting down the North Branch the next day. The weekend will be filled with class II-IV whitewater, cliff jumping, camping, and BBQ! It's an awesome weekend for anyone looking for serious excitement without the drive to the New or Gauley! And trust me....our guides LOVE paddling you down these dam released rivers!

Not ready for the summer fun to end? Neither are we!
That's why we're hosting Brunswick's "Red White and Brew" festival on July 20 at the Brunswick Family Campground!
This Main Street event will feature music from bluegrass artists Circa Blue and Midnite Bluegrass Boys, food from Pig Hole Barbecue, and beer on tap from Flying Dog Brewery!

Individual tickets are $40. Price includes dinner, beer, wine, and music! Click here for purchase.

Don't forget to bring your river shoes and rent a canoe or kayak from River and Trail Outfitters on site!

SEE YOU ON THE WATER!
-Maddie

Face your fears: Come whitewater rafting today!

"You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so. For remember, fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind." ~Dale Carnegie

Many people come to River and Trail with fears. Participating in an activity for the first time, especially an extreme adventure, can cause a lot of anxiety. 

I was taking photos of guests boarding their rafts this weekend when a woman came up to me and said "Have you ever done this before? Am I going to be okay?" I assured her that she was in good hands (Richard's) and would indeed be just fine. The next day I invited my mom along on a raft trip on the Shenandoah River in Harpers Ferry. She hesitated before answering..."Is the water high? Am I going to be okay?". It struck me that these two women had the same anxious response to the unknown. 

At River and Trail, your well being and safety is our #1 concern. While safety is never something that can be guaranteed in any activity, we do everything we can to ensure that your whitewater experience is memorable...in a good way!

Don't let your fears stop you from having the experience of a lifetime on the river. Our staff is here to guide you through the entire process, answer all of your questions, and feed you delicious fried chicken.

Make up your mind and come conquer your fears. At the end of the day, you will leave River and Trail Outfitters with a sense of accomplishment, pride in yourself, and some really weird tan lines. 

(My mom and I after our paddle today....she was okay!!)

See you on the water!

Maddie
www.rivertrail.com
301-695-5177

Gettysburg Battlefield

Looking for a fun, engaging summer vacation for the whole family? This is the year to experience the Civil War battlefields! This year, you can explore the city town of Gettysburg, PA as it commemorates the 150^th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. The summer schedule is packed with living history days, historic tours, and Civil War era exhibits.

From there, the town of Harpers Ferry is just an hour away. Harpers Ferry is filled with Civil War history, funky boutiques, amazing, local food, and even a Civil War wax museum! The hills surrounding the town are crawling with some of the very best hiking trails in the area, including the Appalachian Trail. In the Harpers Ferry area, River and Trail Outfitters offers:

• Potomac riverside camping at the Brunswick Family Campground
• Adventurous whitewater rafting and tubing near Harpers Ferry
• Relaxing Shenandoah River tube float for all age
• Luxurious Paddle and Wine trip that includes a flat water canoe or kayak paddle in Virginia wine country

Continuing on to Antietam Battlefield, just thirty minutes from historic Harpers Ferry, the whole family can enjoy a ride through the scenic battlefield. For a unique way to tour Antietam Battlefield, River and Trail offers:

• Antietam Creek tube trips (a favorite trip amongst the staff!)
• Antietam Creek kayak and canoe guided trips or rentals
• Historic Antietam kayak and brunch specialty tour

Call the outfitter today to speak with one of our adventure specialists and let us add some water to your vacation this year!

See you on the water!

Maddie

301-834-9950

www.rivertrail.com

River & Trail @ the Harpers Ferry Outdoor Festival!

What a weekend kayaking on the Shenandoah River! The amazing people at the Harpers Ferry Outdoor Festival went big this year with the annual races and festivities.

On Friday, 18 of River and Trail Outfitters’ best men (and me!) entered three rafts in the Doah Cup Guide Race. Our guides “dug in” for a grueling 5 mile non stop race, finishing in 3rd, 5th, and 7th places.

EZ and his race crew

From there we headed to the after party for a well deserved brew at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship. The Environmental Center offers a large open area for dancing, camping along the treeline, and a truly breathtaking view of the sun setting over the mountains. The festivities carried on the next day.

The River and Trail Doah Cup Guide Race Crew

Saturday kicked off with a 5k trail race along the scenic trails at the Environmental Center. River and Trail manned the 25 foot rock climbing wall for the day while our fellow boaters hit the water. Kayakers from all over came to participate in the annual Tim Gavin Down River Race on a hearty 5.5 feet of water on the Shenandoah River.

Success on the rock wall!

 Back at the Environmental Center, local vendors sold BBQ, river gear, boats, and handmade crafts. The kids corner offered face painting and activities for the little ones and the Outdoor Festival held a silent auction for various whitewater accessories. The FunkMunkeys and the Woo Yeahs jammed late into the night, encouraging dancing and great times around the bonfire. 

Mark your calendars for next years Harpers Ferry Outdoor Festival and be sure to check out the other events they host throughout the year. Also check out our events calendar for year round fun on the river!

See you on the water!

Maddie
301-695-5177