Blackwater Outdoor Adventures to Open with Special Protocols for Memorial Day Weekend

Opening Memorial Weekend

Blackwater Outdoor Adventures is happy to announce that they will be opening for the 2020 season starting Friday, May 22.

Their plan is to open gradually beginning with canoeing and kayaking rentals and shuttle service only. On site primitive camping and RV overnight stays will also be available starting May 22nd. As Blackwater Outdoor Adventures adapts to new best practices river tubing will be offered starting May 29th. Followed by guided whitewater rafting on the Cheat River June 12th .

The biggest changes you will need to be prepared for as a guest are: 1) All activities will require an advanced reservation; no walk-ins. 2) Minimum group sizes of four will also be mandated on certain trips or activities.

In order to comply with state issued guidelines, and to do their part in keeping guests and staff healthy, there will be some changes to how BOA operates. Below you will find the start date and protocols for each activity that offered. In addition to these protocols, they ask that all guests self-screen for Covid-19 symptoms prior to your trip. Cancellation policies are in place.

Three Phase Opening

Phase 1

Canoeing and Kayaking – Opens May 22

  • Shuttle vans will be limited to one group at a time. Groups will consist of only guests that reside together, or that traveled to our facility together.
  • Groups will be limited to 8 participants so that we may leave the passenger seat and the first seat behind the driver empty. Windows will remain open at all times.
  • Due to not mixing groups in shuttle vehicles, we unfortunately will be requiring a minimum of 4 guests to book a trip.
  • All guests and drivers will be required to wear a mask/face-cover over their nose and mouth throughout the shuttle.
  • Social distancing guidelines (at least 6ft separation) will be followed at the outfitter and at put ins.
  • All shuttle vehicles will be disinfected between each use.
  • All equipment used by guests will be disinfected after each use.

Camping – Opens May 22

  • No group camping sites. Any guests sharing a site must reside together or have traveled to our facility together. These groups must be less than 10 people.
  • Spacing of at least 30 feet between groups/sites.
  • Guests are required to maintain proper social distancing (6ft) from other guests that are not part of their group.
  • We ask that you avoid our bathroom and shower facilities when they are in use by guests of different groups. If you must enter the facility when in use by someone else, please use a mask/face-cover.
  • Facilities will be cleaned and disinfected periodically throughout the day.
  • Our campsites offer wooden picnic tables at each site. As these are difficult to disinfect, we urge you to bring a tablecloth cover to use during the duration of your stay.

Phase 2

Tubing and Stand Up Paddle Boards– Opens May 29

  • Shuttle vans will be limited to one group at a time. Groups will consist of only guests that reside together, or that traveled to our facility together.
  • Groups will be limited to 8 participants so that we may leave the passenger seat and the first seat behind the driver empty. Windows will remain open at all times.
  • Due to not mixing groups in shuttle vehicles, we unfortunately will be requiring a minimum of 4 guests to book a trip.
  • All guests and drivers will be required to wear a mask/face-cover over their nose and mouth throughout the shuttle.
  • Social distancing guidelines (at least 6ft separation) will be followed at the outfitter and at put ins.
  • All shuttle vehicles will be disinfected between each use.
  • All equipment used by guests will be disinfected after each use.

Phase 3

Whitewater Rafting – Opens June 12

  • Maximum of 18 guests on a bus, with more than 6 feet between groups.
  • Masks/face-cover will be worn on the bus, and windows will remain open at all times.
  • The bus will be disinfected between each use.
  • There will be no more than 6 people on one raft, and no mixed groups on a raft. Due to no mixed groups in rafts, we will unfortunately have to require a minimum of 4 guests per group.
  • All equipment will be disinfected between each use.
  • At this time, we will not be offering our Deluxe rafting trips. Express trips only.
  • Social distancing guidelines (6ft) will be followed at the outfitter, as well as put ins and take outs.