Events : Rafting Sites : Letchworth
We're Goin' Raftin'!
Click here for the current river conditions.
Site#1- Letchworth State Park - Class I/II
(average duration of trip on water; about 2.5 hours)
SCHEDULES AND RATES
April 7 through November 18 - Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (call for departure times). Cost: $30.00 per person.
June 23 through September 2 - Tuesday through Friday (10:30 AM only), plus weekend trips noted above. Cost: $30.00 per person
Wetsuits are required in the early spring and late fall.
Wetsuit Rental.........................................$7.00
Wet Top Rental........................................$7.00
(Please note - there is a $8.00 per car gate fee to enter the park. Organizations coming by bus pay $75.00, unless a copy of their tax-exempt certificate is provided to Letchworth State Park upon entering. With the certificate, the fee is $35.00)
A trip down the river through “The Grand Canyon of the East” provides memories that will last a lifetime and is the perfect trip for first-time rafters, youth groups, and families with children. After meeting at the South Poolhouse and changing into river apparel, you'll meet your trip leader. You’ll be issued a paddle and PFD, be given a safety talk, and then walk about 10 minutes to the river's edge. Five and one-half miles of spectacular scenery and fun rapids await you and your fellow paddlers. On warm days, you can cool off body surfing at "New Wave Rapids" or get soaking wet at "The Leap of Faith." With a little luck, you may even see some of the animals that inhabit the park. The park is home to beavers, deer, eagles, hawks, raccoons, and river otters, just to name a few. Upon reaching St. Helena, our bus awaits (weather conditions permitting) to bring you back to the office to change back into dry, clean clothes and to enjoy a light snack.
During the summer months, the river often becomes too low to raft. When this happens, we use inflatable sit-on-top kayaks in order to enjoy the gorge. The ride is calmer and may take a little longer than when we're rafting, but hey, that just gives us more time to enjoy ourselves. (It may also require you to get out of your boat at times to walk a short distance through shallow water.) We are solely reliant on rain in the watershed at our Letchworth site. Water levels will determine what type of craft we will be using.
Optional Features & Special Trips
Rafting/Barbecue Packages: Relax and unwind after your rafting experience with one of our delicious meals, prepared on site. There are several menu selections to choose from. Advanced reservations are required. A minimum party of eight is required. (Price includes trip.)
1) Hamburger or Hot-Dog............. $36.00 per
person
2) Wrap Sandwich.........................$36.00 per
person
3) Boneless Chicken Breast......... $38.50 per person
4) 8-ounce Strip Steak..................$42.50
per person
Rafting/Camping Package: This makes for a great weekend
getaway! Enjoy a day of rafting, followed by a hearty supper and night
of
tent camping. Arise the following morning to a full breakfast
and a second day of rafting or funyaking. If you prefer something
a little different,
there are a wide variety of other activities to choose from – an
airplane ride over the gorge, high ropes course, horseback riding,
or paintball! We provide all the group gear and do all the work; all
you
have to do is have fun! A minimum party of six is required. Reservations
are required.
Cost: $95.00 per person
Interpretive Trips: Come explore the park from a perspective
only we can give you. One of our naturalists will accompany the trip,
offering narration during the frequent stops along the way as the beauty
that is within the gorge unfolds before you. Included will be viewing
the largest Heron Rookery in Western New York, an exposed geological
fault line, and an active beaver pond. Lunch will be served in the canyon.
A variety of topics are available, including park ecology and history,
philosophical or religious perspectives, etc. A minimum party of six
required.
Cost: $45.00 per person.
Mother's Day Special: Sunday, May 13 -Bring Mom out for a day of rafting at Letchworth State Park and if she's accompanied by at least two other family members paying the regular rate, she is our guest for the day. Just so she knows how special she is, after the trip is over, we will present her with a bouquet of flowers. (No other pricing discounts or special offers apply.)
Balloon Rally Dinner Trip: Saturday, May 26 - 5:30 PM (*Please Note - this is a rafting trip through the gorge in the park. We are not riding in the balloons. Also, the balloons’ direction of travel depends entirely on the prevailing winds. There is no guarantee the balloons will drop into the canyon.) On the weekend of May 26 – 28 more than a dozen hot air balloons will gather for the annual Red, White, & Blue Balloon Rally in the park. They launch from the Archery Field overlook each morning and evening and it is truly a sight to behold. Hundreds of people will clamor for a choice viewing spot up above, but only a select few will get the rare view we offer as each balloon drops into the gorge to see which pilot can get closest to the water before ascending out of the canyon. We will travel the river to the beach directly under the overlook and then stop for a delicious picnic supper. You’ll enjoy spectacular views and a gourmet meal at the same time. This certainly will be an evening to remember. Cost: $45.00 per person.
Raftin/Ridin' Roundup: Sunday, June 3 (9:30 AM) - This activity has always been one of our most popular and since space is limited, it sells out every year. In the morning you’ll be paddling through the deepest section of the gorge and in the afternoon, you’ll go on a guide-led horseback trail ride in some of the prettiest countryside in Wyoming County. In between, you’ll be treated to a sumptuous chicken barbecue prepared especially for the group. Meet at the rafting office in the park.
Cost: $85.00 per person, all equipment and meal included.
“An Act of Kindness” Raft Trip: Sunday, June 10 - Enjoy a trip through the gorge and help out a local Food Pantry at the same time. For every dollar of non-perishable food you bring to our Site Office the day of the trip, we will take that amount off the total cost of your trip. Our goal is to pull up to their door on Monday with one of our trucks packed solid with food. It’s a win/win situation!
Father's Day Special: Sunday, June 17 - Now it's Dad's turn to be treated to rafting. The same deal as Mother's Day applies. Since we weren't sure what his reaction to flowers would be, upon returning to the rafting office after the trip, Dad is given a commemorative coffee mug.
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