About BTI Whitewater / Butts Tubes

Butts Tubes / BTI Whitewater offers tubing, whitewater rafting, canoeing, and duckies (inflatable kayaks) on the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers in the Tri-state area of West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland.

After 15 years, BTI remains a family-run business “built around an experienced staff”. In 1992 Dewey Heffner and his son, George “JR” Heffner began selling black tire tubes out of the back of a truck. The sign advertising their sales read, Butts Tubes. The family duo expanded their sales and enlisted the aid of mother and sister who handled the money and sales while the men drove and coordinated equipment. This father and son side of the road venture was incorporated in 1994 and has continued its steady evolution into a well-respected and profitable family-owned and operated business built around friendly and experienced staff.

Butts Tubes, Inc. added rafting trips on the Potomac River, as well as canoe and duckies (inflatable kayaks), rentals in 1997. A license to run commercial rafting trips on the Shenandoah River was acquired in October 2005, and Butts Tubes, Inc. became BTI Whitewater.

From that point on, we have been working hard to improve both our facilities and our services in order to provide our patrons with the ultimate in river adventure and fun. We expanded and remodeled our one-room facility into offices, reservation/check-in desks, a cabana style retail shop, and a covered patio.

BTI provides picnic areas with tables, charcoal grills, and a sand volleyball court. During summer months live bands perform on scheduled weekends adding a truly unique atmosphere to your getaway to the mountains. Changing rooms are also available.

BTI Whitewater is licensed by the Department of Natural Resources and is a member of the following: American Canoe Association, America Outdoors, Professional Paddlesports Association, American Red Cross, and Loudoun Convention & Visitor’s Association.

For more information on any of BTI’s trips or services, please call or e-mail and let our friendly staff help personalize an adventure for you!

Guides and Staff:
All of our river guides are certified by the Division of Natural Resources. Each BTI river guide completes a rigorous and comprehensive, on-the-water training program which includes Swiftwater Rescue, as well as additional instruction on local history, geology, flora and fauna, wildlife, and customer service. All river guides are trained and certified in First Aid and Professional Rescuer CPR by the American Red Cross.

All of BTI’s guides and managers are certified in American Red Cross CPR & First Aid.