🔥 Lehigh RiverFest 2026: The Biggest Whitewater Party of the Year

The Lehigh River is about to explode with energy, adrenaline, and outdoor celebration — because Lehigh RiverFest 2026 is officially on the calendar, and this year promises to be the largest, loudest, and most action‑packed RiverFest ever.

 

Hosted at the legendary Whitewater Challengers Lehigh River Adventure Center, RiverFest brings together paddlers, families, outdoor lovers, live music fans, and festival‑goers for a full weekend of whitewater rafting, food trucks, vendors, games, and river‑themed fun.

 

And this year, PoconosOutdoors.com is stepping in to supercharge your RiverFest weekend with premium adventure rentals, guided tours, and multi‑sport combos that turn a single festival day into a full‑blown Poconos adventure vacation.

 

🌊 What Is Lehigh RiverFest?

🏕 Lehigh RiverFest is an annual celebration of the river, the gorge, and the outdoor community that thrives around them.

Expect: Whitewater rafting, Kayaking, Live music, Outdoor vendors, Food trucks, Games & giveaways, Family‑friendly activities, Community River stewardship It’s the perfect blend of festival energy + outdoor adventure, set right in the heart of the Lehigh Gorge.

 

The Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers:
288 North Stagecoach Road, Weatherly, PA 18255.

RiverFest Camping Package:

The camping package includes two nights of camping (Friday and Saturday) along with access to all bands and other activities throughout the weekend (see below). $25 total for both nights.

📞 Book Your RiverFest Weekend Adventure:

You can either book online by clicking here, or you can call Whitewater Challengers to book at 1-800-443-8554. Their dedicated sales team will get you all squared away.

🔥 Get Ready for a Massive Dam‑Release Weekend at Lehigh RiverFest!

Come celebrate the end of summer with the Pioneers of Whitewater Adventure Tours on the Lehigh River, Whitewater Challengers, at the Lehigh River Adventure Center in Weatherly, PA on August 28th and 29th as they kick off our annual Lehigh RiverFest — a two‑day outdoor celebration packed with whitewater thrills, live entertainment, great food, and nonstop festival energy.

 

RiverFest transforms the Lehigh Gorge into a full‑blown adventure playground. From Friday through Saturday, you’ll find music, entertainment, vendors, games, and river‑themed fun happening all across the festival grounds. Whether you’re here for the rapids, the vibes, or the community, this is the weekend you don’t want to miss.

🌊 HUGE Dam Release Announced — The Biggest Water of the Summer

 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has officially confirmed an increased dam release from the Francis E. Walter Dam — and Saturday’s flow is expected to surge to nearly 1,700 CFS, almost double the normal summer water levels. What does that mean for you?

• Higher water
• Faster currents
• Bigger waves
• More powerful Class II–III rapids
• The most exciting whitewater weekend of the entire season

This is the kind of release that turns the Lehigh River into a premium whitewater destination, delivering the type of ride rafters wait all year for.

🚣 Experience RiverFest with PoconosOutdoors.com

As the region’s leading adventure outfitter, PoconosOutdoors.com is your go‑to source for:

• Whitewater rafting packages
• Inflatable kayak rentals
• River tubing trips
• Mountain bike rentals
• Guided biking tours
• Biking and Rafting combo adventures
• VIP shuttle services
• VIP Assisted Camping options at Riverview Park Campground

We make your RiverFest weekend easy, seamless, and unforgettable. If you’ve been craving big splashes, heavy wave trains, and adrenaline‑charged river action, this is your moment.

 

🔥 This Dam‑Release Weekend Is Your 2nd to Last Chance for HOT Summer Fun

Late August and Labor Day weekend mark the final stretch of hot‑weather adventure in the Poconos — and this dam‑release double‑header is the perfect way to send summer out with a splash. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a first‑timer ready to try something new, RiverFest offers the best water, best weather, and best vibes of the entire season.

During RiverFest weekend, the Lehigh River typically features strong Class II–III rapids, making it ideal for:

• First‑time rafters, Families, Adventure seekers, Groups, Bachelor/bachelorette parties, corporate outings
• Biking, SUP and Kayak Rentals, Rafting, Kayaking, Disc Golf you name it we offer it!

But here’s where PoconosOutdoors.com takes your experience to the next level you can package it all into a super combo weekend of fun!

✔ Premium Whitewater Rafting and Biking Packages

We partner with the region’s top rafting outfitters to deliver:

• High‑flow dam‑release rafting, 4‑hour guided river runs, Big wave trains, Technical bends
• Scenic gorge views are also had Biking alongside the Lehigh River on the world-famous Lehigh Gorge Trail

✔ Inflatable Kayak Rentals (Duckies)

For guests who want more control and more adrenaline, our kayaks offer:

• Fast maneuvering, Deep‑channel carving, Solo adventure freedom
• Add in Biking on the Lehigh Gorge Trail and BOOM instant Super Combo Weekend

✔ River Tubing for Chill‑Seekers

Prefer a laid‑back float? Our tubing trips offer:

• Warm mountain water, Mild wave trains, Sun‑soaked relaxation, Perfect group vibes
• Bike ride right from Riverview Park where we run out tubing operation

RiverFest is awesome — but pairing it with a PoconosOutdoors.com mountain biking adventure makes it unforgettable.

🚲 Add Mountain Biking to Your RiverFest Weekend

✔ Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail Bike Rentals

Ride the famous 2–4% downhill grade past:

• Waterfalls
• Rock formations
• Scenic overlooks
• Historic ruins
• Wildlife corridors

✔ Guided Mountain Bike Tours

Choose from:

• Rowdy Ridge Ride
• Rocklin’ N Rollin’
• Mount Pisgah Summit Ride
• Family‑friendly scenic tours

✔ Pedals & Paddles Combo

The #1 RiverFest add‑on:

1. Bike the Gorge
2. Raft the river
3. Celebrate at RiverFest

🏕 Make It a Full Weekend: Camping + SUP + Shuttle Services

🎉 Why RiverFest + PoconosOutdoors.com Is the Ultimate Combo

Because you get: Festival fun, Big whitewater, Scenic biking, SUP adventures, Camping, Shuttles, Local expertise, Seamless logistics, Premium gear, Affordable packages.

✔ VIP Shuttle Services to and from River Access Points

Skip Jim Thorpe traffic. Skip parking chaos. Skip long walks, Our vans take you directly to:

• Rafting launch points, Biking trailheads, SUP zones, RiverFest

✔ SUP Rentals at Francis E. Walter Dam

Crystal‑clear water. Stable boards. Perfect late‑summer paddling. 

• RiverFest is the celebration. PoconosOutdoors.com is the adventure engine that powers your entire weekend.
• 📞 Book Your RiverFest Weekend Adventure
• RiverFest dates fill FAST — especially rafting and biking rentals.
• Call 570‑899‑0400 or fill out our contact us form here PoconosOutdoors.com
• Every RiverFest guest who books through us receives a FREE Poconos Outdoors sticker to commemorate the adventure.

Let’s ride the RiverFest rapids together — and make 2026 the biggest celebration yet!

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You should try our Poconos Biking with Whitewater Rafting, Kayaking or Tubing Combo Tours, on the Lehigh River in Jim Thorpe, PA. You can also go sight see all the cool hiking trails or play disc golf at Hickory Run State Park!  For more information about these types of tours check out our Pocono Fun page. 

 

If you want to learn more about; Poconos Biking Specials, the Lehigh Gorge Trail or logistics behind the Glen Summit, Rockport or Jim Thorpe VIP Bike Shuttle Service we have all the answers!

 

For the more adventurous, you can explore other White Haven, Poconos area mountain bike trails with awesome mountaintop climbs leading to bomber single track downhills. Just give us a call to schedule a private VIP guided mountain biking tour!

 

Cancellation and Reservation Policies are found here: FAQ – Most Frequently Asked Questions. Trips run rain or shine. No cancellations or refunds without purchasing Vacation Protection during the booking process. 

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Pocono Outdoors LLC – Poconos Bike Rentals, Poconos Whitewater Rafting, Poconos Kayaking, Poconos River Tubing, Poconos SUP, Poconos Disc Golf, Poconos Campgrounds