Rafting in Ohiopyle,PA

Doug Grosjean of Luckey, Ohio took a trip to the Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle, PA to do some rafting on the Youghiogheny River and he organized a rafting adventure for any Flood City Rallyers willing to participate. The group event will most likely be on Wednesday. Check back here for firm details as the time gets near.

Youghiogheny River Rafting info

From the American Whitewater website, a description of the Youghiogheny River. Here is an in-depth discussion of the one real hazard - Dimple Rock. There is a portage trail around it, so I don't consider it a big deal:

Rafting Outfitters

In Ohiopyle there's a slew of raft companies, bicycle rentals, various types of outfitters, and a climbing wall. All the boating companies are sort of clustered together, across from the put-in.

Whitewater Adventures seems like a good choice. They've been around a long time... They have Thrillseekers (a solo high-performance inflatable kayak, even I like them.), Shredders (an inflatable whitewater catamaran, for those that want to go 2-up, also fun), and traditional rafts. They can provide all transportation to and from the river, parking, and lunch on the river. Basically they'll give 10% off the retail price to groups, and supply lunch on the river. The Shredders and Thrillseekers have a $10 surcharge compared to the rafts, but in my opinion are more fun than just the rafts - I've paddled all three. Another thing: mid-week is only about half the price of a Saturday trip...

Whitewater Adventurers Inc.
1.800.WWA.RAFT
email: wwaraft@sgi.net

Plus $10 per person extra to rent a Thrillseeker or Shredder
Minus 10% group discount

Ohiopyle, PA Lodging

Yough Plaza, Inc. Motel; 1.800.992.7238 Kinda ordinary...

Laurel Guest House; 724.329.8531 This one looked the prettiest...

Ferncliff Guest House; 724.329.8531

MacKenzie Guest House; 724.329.8531

Yough Guest House; 724.329.8850

Ohiopyle Lodge; 1.800.992.7599 - Little 2-unit pre-fab building.

Falls Market may have rooms too, I don't know for sure. If not, they're still worth a stop... Falls Market is basically a general store and a grill.

Area restaurants

Ohiopyle House Café - I've eaten here, it's pretty good. 724.329.1122

Firefly Grill - I'm told by locals it's good, but have no personal experience.

Fox's Pizza - A chain, but good... They also exist in West Virginia; I don't know where else.

Falls Market is good for a traditional bacon-and-eggs breakfast, burgers, sandwiches.

Other interesting services available:

Ohiopyle Massage Therapy, 724.322.2031, Reservations Req'd.

Bicycle rental, including tandems, which can then be ridden down into the gorge along the river on a rails-to-trails gravel path. Very, very, very nice.

Meadow Run: a natural water slide at the south edge of Ohiopyle. Probably for the young, but very very cool too.

Gas is available in Ohiopyle.

If folks want their photo taken on the river, they can. The company is in Ohiopyle, but they approach folks as they get on the river so probably no need to do any more than mention it.