Lower Yough Whitewater Rafting Progression

First Timers – Fully Guided Rafting

If you’re new to this whole whitewater thing, fully guided rafting on the Lower Youghiogheny is the perfect trip to dip your toes (and paddles) into the water. The river’s drop and pool design offers bursts of adrenaline followed by calm pools to catch your breath. During these trips, each boat is accompanied by a professional guide who will skillfully navigate through the rapids, ensuring your safety and enjoyment. 

Rest assured, our guides are highly trained professionals who go above and beyond to provide the safest and most fun experience possible. We like to tout that we have Ohiopyle’s best raft guides. In fact, Wilderness Voyageurs helped establish the current safety standards in collaboration with state park staff back in the 1970s. Safety? Check. Fun? Double check. Oh, and did we mention our guides are also the funniest bunch you’ll ever meet? Yep, comedy gold right here! 

Lower Yough Fully guided rafting trips offer the comfort and security of a seasoned guide, but don’t skimp on the experience that is the Youghiogheny River.

Taking it Up a Notch – Guide Escorted Rafting

You’ve got a taste for the Lower Yough, and now you want to ramp up the excitement. Our guide escorted trips are here to satisfy your craving for a rowdier experience. Instead of having a guide in every raft, our guides lead the way in their own boats, setting up safety measures and offering hand signals to help you navigate the rapids safely

At the beginning of the trip, each raft designates its own captain, typically the most experienced paddler in the group. Our professional guides provide some coaching to the captain on how to give commands. After a bit of practice in the calm waters below Ohiopyle Falls, the group embarks on their adventure, testing their skills on Entrance Rapid. And hey, if your fearless leader isn’t quite cutting it, no worries! You can always demote ’em and choose a new captain mid-adventure. It’s all part of the learning experience, right? 

Lower Yough guide escorted rafting trips are perfect for those of you who want to be more than just paddle minions. You want to feel the thrill of captaining your own boat and shouting commands like a true river warrior. If you’ve already experienced the Lower Yough on a fully guided trip, this is your chance to paddle the river in an entirely new way. 

Smaller Vessel, Bigger Fun – Ducky Upgrade

If you find yourself yearning for even more excitement, our ducky upgrade might be just what you need. Picture this: you, in an inflatable kayak made of the same tough stuff as our rafts, armed with a double-bladed paddle. Most duckies are for solo adventurers, but we’ve got a few “double ducks” for those of you who want to bring your partner-in-crime along.

When you opt for the ducky upgrade on any of our guide escorted trips, you still get the safety and assurance of our professional guides, but the paddling is all in your hands, my friend. It’s just you and the river, baby. With the ducky’s low profile, you’ll have a thrilling up-close view of the Lower Yough, making your heart race with every splash. Are you ready for an adrenaline-filled adventure? 

Beyond the Lower Yough

Have you conquered all the challenges the Lower Yough has to offer? If you’re seeking an even more exhilarating experience, let us introduce you to Upper Yough rafting. Known as the “Dream Steam,” this section of the Youghiogheny River spans 11 miles and features technical Class IV-V whitewater. It’s an entirely different realm, reserved for the most confident and skilled paddlers. Brace yourself for a river rafting trip that feels more like navigating a steep creek than a traditional river.

Listen, the Upper Yough isn’t for the faint of heart. We’re talking tight and technical, where precision rafting is the name of the game. That’s why our expert river guides have at least five years of rafting experience under their belts before they can guide on the Upper Yough. Trust us, you’ll be in the hands of the best of the best.