Here's what tickets and rides will cost at Montgomery Whitewater
Now that the opening of Montgomery Whitewater is rapidly approaching this summer, it's time for future guests of the 120 acre outdoor adventure park and community hub to start getting their toes wet on budgeting for the experience.
Fortunately, the Montgomery Whitewater website is live at montgomerywhitewater.com, and we've got your guide to all their current price lists.
For casual visitors at 1100 Maxwell Boulevard, the experience can be completely free. Bring the whole family. Unless there’s a specific event, there’s no charge to park. You can walk around and view the grounds, watch the whitewater from sunup to sundown. Bring a chair if you want, and you can bring leashed dogs. However no outside food or drinks are allowed.
If you're hankering for a water adventure, get ready. They claim to have the world's most advanced whitewater channels that mimic a natural river. No, the water is not from the Alabama River. It's filled with 12 million gallons of water from the city's water supply and has a state-of-the-art filtration and treatment system.
Whitewater rafting
Cost: $49 for adult day passes, and $39 for a youth day pass.
Easy: Beginner rafting is for ages 8 and up, with up to 6 people. This is more of a laid-back experience down the Adventure Channel.
Moderate: An action-packed session for ages 10 and up, with up to 6 people. Experience Class II-IV whitewater and get soaked.
Advanced: Surf every wave and hole in the challen in this session for ages 16 and up: This is for people who can swim in Class IV whitewater. This is for up to 4 guests per raft, and a $20 upgrade to Adult Day Pass is required.
Whitewater kayaking and SUP
Cost: A kayak day pass is $25.
Whitewater kayaking and whitewater slalom kayaking are advanced level activities. Kayaking instruction is available.
Whitewater kayakers must be comfortable paddling in class II-IV whitewater.
Slalom kayakers must have their own boat.
Adventure Channel: It's 2,200 feet long and designed for a Class II whitewater experience. Consider it an introduction to whitewater.
Competition Channel: It's 1,600-foot-long and for those with more advanced skills.
Both channels intersect in the lower pond to the takeout or back up the conveyor belt for another run.
Inflatable kayaking
Cost: Adult ducky trip is $45, and a water day pass is $49.
Moderate level: This is for ages 13 and up, with an adult in the group. This is in the adventure channel only. Continuous class II+ rapids will be encountered. There is no guide.
Duckies come in singles or tandems.
More: Most of Montgomery Whitewater will be free and open to the public
Things to know before you pay for time on the water
Before you spend your money, there are some conditions and regulations to be aware of:
If you're going whitewater rafting, plan to get completely wet. Wear a bathing suit, and bring a change of clothes.
Secure footwear is required for all on-water activities. Crocs are not permitted. They have footwear available for rent or purchase in the outfitter's store.
Whitewater rafting guests must wear a life vest and helmet at all times.
All rafting trips are led by a Montgomery Whitewater guide.
There is no maximum weight limit, but guests must be able to wear the life vest.
Life vests allow for up to a 55" limit chest size.
The youngest age allowed to whitewater raft is eight, and age limits vary with difficulty levels.
While the ability to swim is not required to whitewater raft, it's highly recommended you be able to.
No, you cannot bring your own raft.
Personal duckies, shredders, and personal whitewater kayaks are permitted, as long as they are whitewater specific.
Instruction is available on site. There are private whitewater kayaking lessons, and group lessons. There are also swiftwater rescue courses.
Raft Guide School is a 5-day course. It costs $150 a person, to be reimburses at the end of the season. Dates available include May 8-13, May 15-20, June 12-17, June 19-24, July 10-15.
For kayakers, there is an introduction course for $65 a person, a roll session fort $55 a person, a whitewater package for $250 a person, and private whitewater lessons for $75 a person.
In the event of torrential rain, lightning and tornadoes in the area, activities will stop. Lightning within 8 miles of the site brings a pause of 30 minutes.
Once purchased and activated, day passes are non-refundable, including for weather reasons. Guests are advised to view the forecast before buying access to whitewater experiences.
You can gear up there. They have an outfitters store with the clothing and gear you might need for whitewater rafting or climbing.
Future plans at Montgomery Whitewater
Fun on land: Their land activities are coming soon — rock climbing, mountain biking, ropes courses and walking trails. There are also plans for access to the Alabama River for standup paddle boarding.
A place to eat: Also coming soon is Eddy's Restaurant and Bar, with inside and outside dining. The full menu with pricing is not available quite yet, but they'll have lunch and dinner — burgers, sandwiches, seafood entrees, fresh salads, and more. They'll also have a full bar.
A place to rest: There will eventually be a hotel and rental parcels.
More: What is Montgomery Whitewater? Everything we know about the $90M park
Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Here's what tickets and rides will cost at Montgomery Whitewater
