Fun group high adventure trips are what summer on the Youghiogheny are all about. If you are looking for similar Pennsylvania fun or are considering River Rafting in West Virginia join us for the best of East Coast Rafting.   For more information, send us an email: rafting@wilderness-voyageurs.com and we will be glad to help make this the best summer ever.

Outdoor Activities Near Washington DC

A whitewater rafting trip down the Yough River in Ohiopyle doesn't have to end with the  Rafting.  Wilderness Voyagers offers some great guided climbing for both experts and beginners alike.   A really fun day can be had for a family that begins with a fun & easy bike ride down the rails to trails path that runs through beautiful forrest and along the exciting Youghiogheny River.   About a mile downstream is a great set of rocks that are perfect for top-roping and an excellent spot to practice your skills, or introduce your children to the great sport of Rock Climbing.  If you are looking for Great Pennsylvania Family Trips in the Laurel Highlands you will find this to be one of the best outdoor activities near Washington DC or anywhere for that matter.

Matt here is 5 years old and just coming off a great day on the Middle Yough.   What many people don't know  is that the River in and around Ohiopyle  is broken into sections.   Most people run the Lower Yough...this is one of the most popular east coast rafting  rivers.   It's great because there are lot's of fun rapids and a real sense of a high adventure trip.   The age limit on the Lower Yough is 12.   If Your Pennsylvania Family Trips include members younger than 12 you might want to consider the Middle Yough.  Wilderness Voyagers take rafters as young as 5 on the Middle.  It's a fun day that included a great shore lunch, terrific guides and if you like we can even throw on some inflatable kayaks.

The Middle Yough is a great trip thats one of the great family outdoor activities near Washington DC or Columbus Ohio or Cincinnati....we even get families from Indiana that come in for the weekend.

A lot of people think of Ohiopyle as a summer destination, but there really is a lot to do here in the winter time. Let's check out the list of sweet outdoor activities:

1. Ice climbing. There are pitches scattered all over the Laurel Highlands, and many of them are here in the park. Good ice forms consistently on Meadow Run, Cucumber falls, and in the Lost Quarry up by the Ramcat putin. For the absolute best resource on local climbing, including condition reports and directions, check out Tim Anderson's climbing page. This link is broken sometimes, so contact the store at Wilderness Voyageurs as a backup.

2. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Don't let conditions in the tiny town of Ohiopyle fool you. There is usually a lot more snow up on Sugarloaf, and loads of great trails too. This time of year the visitors center is unmanned, so stop into the store, and we'll gladly give you a tour of the state park map.

3. Running and hiking. Even the trails down in and around town are still good for the hardcore trail runner or dayhiker with the right outdoor gear. Best thing about the cold: no crowds and no sweat. The two pictures up top are from my run up Great Gorge Trail this evening with the ever-lovable Sandy Psycho Pants.

4. Winter Boating. Yes, some of us are crazy enough to kayak this time of year. Actually, water levels are consistently excellent through the winter, and as long as it's mid 20s or warmer, there are people on the water. Click here for my favorite gauge to check. Just be mindful of recent weather trends; you don't want to come around that bend and find that your must-make eddy is covered in an inch of ice.

Did I leave anything out? Just click that comments button to tell me what I missed.

Lou