Harpers Ferry Adventure Center — Hotel in Harpers Ferry

Pros: ziplining was fun (more on that below) and the facilities (bathroom and changing area) were extremely clean. Bus driver on the way to the river was very friendly.

White water rafting was just ok. I did like how the "raft leader" had everything thing organized and it looked like there was an emergency boat following us just in case. This was our second time white water rafting for everyone but one person. The first time we went was somewhere deeper in WV and that time was much better. We compared and here is where this company came up short: 1st, our guide basically pushed us the entire time. The rapids were too shallow and we kept getting stuck. We seriously felt sorry for him but kudos to him for not even looking frustrated. The kayakers kept getting stuck too. Not the company's fault per se but maybe they shouldnt go out with shallow rapids or have less ppl in the boat to make weight lighter? I have no idea what wouldve helped but theyre the experts. 2nd. The only one who hadn't done this before fell off the boat and our guide just looked at her and didn't give instructions on what she should do. She was expecting that. We eventually pulled over and we told her to swim to us. The instructions the first time we did this were much clearer by the guides. This time, it was fine for us but not for the person doing this their first time. 3rd, they stopped for literally 3 minutes to let us swim which was a relief because it was so hot but the time to swim was soo short. The 4th most disappointing thing, was there no pictures taken of our experience. The last place we went to had a photographer following us (or at least stationed at the major rapids) and we went home with the best action packed pictures. But for the one whose first time it was, she has no pics of herself. It seemed like no one knew if pictures would be taken. Our guide said they'll be pictures closer to the end of the trip and the front desk said MAYBE there was a guy taking pics and gave us a card but the card clearly said pics on Saturday and Sundays and most other days by request (we went on a Tuesday). No one told us we would have to request the photos otherwise we wouldve.

When we got out the river we were thirsty and hungry. When we called before hand, they said their brewery had pizza and nachos so we didn't pack a lunch. When we got out of the water they showed us where the brewery was (when I asked for pizza) only for there to be a huge sign that says kitchen not open on Tuesdays. Did no one at the front desk know this????? Disappointed, we ended up going to an eatery 8 mins away but didnt have much time to eat before our ziplining started.

Zipling: ziplining was so much better. There were maybe 5 young men helping out/guiding. Either all these young men were raised by parents who really taught them how to be courteous, polite and friendly or they watched a great customer service training video lol. Either way, they did an awesome job giving instructions and encouraging us even though they were rushing us through to beat the upcoming storm (and we were able to finish). They were so helpful and friendly which was good for me because this was my first time ziplining and I was sooo nervous. I really wish I could remember their names. I think Matt was the red head? Cant remember. But they all, ALL were great. Ziplining was...

Tubing was fun — but make sure you come with great insurance, time to argue, and the energy to chase down basic accountability.

River tubing was fun. Unfortunately, everything after that completely ruined the experience.

On Saturday, while we were in the dressing room, a tree fell on two cars in the parking lot. One vehicle appears to be completely totaled, and my friend’s car was severely damaged — possibly totaled, though that hasn’t been confirmed by an adjuster yet.

We asked to speak with the owner and were told they were “on the way.” That wasn’t true — the manager showed up and wasn’t updated on the situation.

We had already talked with the assistant manager but had to explain things again when the manager arrived. I had already asked the assistant manager how my friend would get home to Virginia, and we were told that they would give my two friends a ride back to VA in their van. Later, when I asked the manager about the ride, she wasn’t sure how my friends would get back home. I told her the assistant manager had already assured us transportation would be provided. She later confirmed that they would provide transportation — but this was only after back-and-forth conversation between her and me.

Then came the tow issue. With no phone signal (thankfully for the Wi-Fi), my friend called her insurance and found out towing wasn’t covered. I told the manager they needed to arrange the tow to Virginia. She initially declined. I repeated that it needed to be handled — and after a phone call (presumably to the owner), she agreed.

When I asked for the owner’s contact info, we were told they couldn't provide “personal information.” Eventually, after back and forth, we were given the business number — something we could’ve looked up ourselves. My friend left her information and was told the owner would contact her that day.

That didn’t happen. The owner never reached out voluntarily, and my friend has had to chase him down repeatedly just to get vague, limited responses.

Now, let’s talk about the tree: The manager implied it was a spontaneous event — likely to avoid liability. But we have photos showing the tree is hollow, and even without that, the missing bark and dead limbs speak for themselves. Now I’m no tree expert but I’m pretty sure this isn’t what a healthy tree looks like!

For a business that invites people to park on their property, basic safety and maintenance should be a given. Clearly, making that assumption was wrong!!

So would I return? Let’s just say: if you want to pay $40+ to float on a river and end up with a bigger problem and thousands in damages, bring insurance, patience, and time to argue.

My friend originally asked us not to leave a negative review, hoping they’d do the right thing. But that hasn’t been the case — so we’re sharing...

I went to the center twice. First, I went rafting, and I loved it. The location was good, the center was clean and orderly, and our guide was superb. She's a woman in her mid to late twenties who also works as a pet hair stylist. Get her if you can and tip her! I decided to go back based on my first experience. This time to go tubing with a group of 15 people. I was told that there were cheaper places but given I thought it was a good, secure place, I decided for this more expensive option. This time the place was much more crowded and it didn't have the same ambiance. The people in my group tended to be very confused as to the logistics. It would have been great to get a paper with the steps (where we would get the tubs, drop off and pick up locations, and timing of the pick ups, as well as pointers while tubing and safety rules) at the beginning. Not only was the activity unorganized, but while at the center before and after leaving, we were hounded by a screaming lady giving directions to a largely confused crowd. We are confused customers; instead of screaming, why not explain it calmly, group by group, or simple put up signs or invest one day in writing up a guide to hand out to people? Strangely enough, the screaming lady is now an iconic part of our trip, we will forever remember her and the Adventure Center like that. Last, the pick up and drop off locations were chaotic. I would suggest planting someone at both locations to steer the crowd, as well as signs with the times. Some of the people in my group, for instance, wasted time by getting off in the wrong location only to be told at the top of the hill that they were with the weong company, and this could have simply been avoided with more active explanation by someone other than a screaming driver on a loud road and large bus. All in all, if you are reading this and work at the Adventur Center, I would suggest rethinking and inproving the logistics surrounding the customer experience in tubing. If you are thinking of coming here for tubing specifically, I would look somewhere else. I gave this 3 stars because my rafting experience was good. If you are looking for a rafting experience, it might be a good company to try. Again, for tubing I would look somewhere else. If other locations aren't better, at least they...