Enjoying Beer At River Riders: What You Need To Know

River Riders offers a range of outdoor activities, including white water rafting, ziplining, kayaking, and tubing. While the company does not explicitly encourage drinking beer, it is technically allowed by law to consume small amounts of alcohol while tubing. However, it is essential to note that operating a vessel, such as a tube, while under the influence of alcohol is illegal and can result in penalties. River Riders reserves the right to restrict coolers on trips due to water levels and refuse service to intoxicated guests.

Drinking beer while tubing is allowed, but you must be discreet and responsible

Drinking beer while tubing with River Riders is allowed, but you must be discreet and responsible.

River Riders is a family-friendly outdoor adventure company that offers flatwater and whitewater tubing trips on the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. While the company does not provide alcohol to riders, small amounts of alcohol are technically allowed by law. However, it is important to note that it is illegal to operate a vessel (including a tube) while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. The maximum penalty for an offence is a $500 fine and two months in jail. Therefore, it is crucial to drink responsibly and in moderation while tubing.

Additionally, open alcoholic containers are prohibited at the white water tubing takeout, which is National Park property. It is also important to be cautious and avoid drinking too much, as the river has some fast water and deep spots that can be dangerous when combined with alcohol consumption. Furthermore, glass bottles are not permitted on the river, as they can pose a safety hazard if broken.

River Riders recommends wearing a life jacket at all times while on the river, regardless of your swimming ability. This is for your safety, as the river can be unpredictable and pose a risk even to experienced swimmers. By following these guidelines and staying mindful of your surroundings, you can safely enjoy a beer while tubing with River Riders.

You can bring your own alcohol, but River Riders does not check coolers

River Riders does allow small amounts of alcohol to be brought on their tubing adventures. However, it is illegal to operate a vessel (tube) while under the influence of alcohol (with a BAC of 0.08) or a controlled substance. The Maryland and West Virginia DNRs are responsible for patrolling and can issue citations much like a DUI. The maximum penalty for an offence is $500 and two months in jail.

The white water tubing takeout is National Park property and open alcoholic containers are prohibited. River Riders does reserve the right to restrict coolers on trips due to water levels and refuse service to any guest who appears intoxicated.

While River Riders does not check coolers, it is important to be discreet and responsible with alcohol. Drinking is allowed while on the river, but it is forbidden on either side of the river. If a ranger catches you with an open container on either riverbank, you can expect a hefty fine.

Drinking and driving laws still apply, and rangers can issue DUI-like citations

Drinking and driving laws still apply when you're tubing on the river, and rangers can issue DUI-like citations. While small amounts of alcohol are technically allowed by law, it is illegal to operate a vessel (including a tube) while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. The Maryland and West Virginia DNRs are responsible for patrolling and can issue citations much like a DUI. The maximum penalty for an offence is $500 and two months in jail.

The white water tubing takeout is National Park property, and open alcoholic containers are prohibited. You will be tubing in a natural environment and will need your wits about you. Being intoxicated greatly increases the chances of drowning or having another incident on the river. River Riders staff reserve the right to restrict coolers on trips due to water levels and refuse service to any guest who appears intoxicated.

If you drive to River Riders, you will need to drive home. Don't bring glass bottles onto the river—it's not pretty if they break.

You can bring a cooler, but only one per five people on flat water and one per ten on whitewater

River Riders allows you to bring a cooler with you on your tubing trip, but there are some important restrictions to be aware of. Firstly, the number of coolers permitted depends on the type of water you'll be tubing on. For flat water tubing, River Riders allows one cooler for every five people, whereas for whitewater tubing, only one cooler per ten people is permitted. These restrictions are in place due to varying water levels and other factors, and River Riders reserves the right to further limit the number of coolers allowed.

There are also specific guidelines regarding the types of coolers and items you can bring. River Riders does not permit styrofoam coolers, as they tend not to withstand the rigours of floating down the river. Only canned or plastic items are allowed in the coolers to avoid breakages. Additionally, you can rent "cooler tubes" from River Riders to keep your cooler secure, or purchase floating coolers that can directly hold your items.

While small amounts of alcohol are technically allowed by law, it is important to note that operating a vessel (tube) while under the influence of alcohol is illegal. The Maryland and West Virginia DNR's are responsible for patrolling and can issue citations similar to a DUI. The maximum penalty for an offence is a $500 fine and two months in jail. The whitewater tubing takeout is National Park property, and open alcoholic containers are prohibited there. River Riders reserves the right to restrict coolers on trips due to water levels and refuse service to any guest who appears intoxicated.

Only bring canned or plastic items; no glass

River Riders allows small amounts of alcohol on their trips, so you can drink beer while tubing down the river. However, it is illegal to operate a vessel (tube) while under the influence of alcohol. The maximum penalty for an offence is $500 and two months in jail.

To avoid the possibility of items breaking, River Riders requests that you only bring canned or plastic items and no glass. This is because there is a risk of injury if glass breaks while tubing.

River Riders offers a variety of tubing trips on both the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. The Potomac River trip goes from Bakerton Road River Access above Harpers Ferry to Potomac Wayside, floating by Harpers Ferry, a total of 5 miles. The Shenandoah River trip goes from Millville Dam down to the River Riders rafting put-in and takes about 1.5 to 3 hours. The flat water trip does not pass Harpers Ferry.

River Riders provides a variety of tubes for different preferences and needs, including upgraded vinyl tubes for a more comfortable and durable option and Tube Tracker Pro's with a paddle. They also rent cooler tubes for $19 each and sell floating coolers that can hold up to 18 cans inside and 4 cans outside, plus ice.

River Riders recommends wearing water shoes or an old pair of tennis shoes, as flip-flops or bare feet are not permitted. They also advise always wearing a life jacket, as the river can be dangerous.

Frequently asked questions