Best 10 WhiteWater Rafting Rivers

The Green River happens to be one of my favorite rivers to take on, not because it is more challenging, but because it offers some of the best scenery you will find on any WhiteWater Trip.

It is a popular river for white water rafting vacations because it offers many areas that can be rafted. Ranging from class 1, to class 3 mostly. This makes it an ideal location to truely get your feet wet as a new rafter. It is also excellent for family vacations and I have went there many times with my family.

The Green River Daily: is a perfect place to learn rafting, and get started with WhiteWater. It is a roughly 9 mile run through the Gray Canyon and only takes about a day to navigate. It is mostly mild class 1 and class 2 rapids, although it can get wild sometimes.
Desolation Canyon: If you want a family rafting experience then I can offer you no better than Desolation Canyon, and don't let the name fool you. It is a peaceful trip for the most part and is more about the scenery than the thrills. There are tons of relics from the past including abandoned homes, and even Native American petroglyphs. The canyon it's self is actually deeper than the grand canyon. It is a long trip, and is best to be done as the main part of your vacation.

Split Mountain: This is where things get kinda crazy at times on the Green River. Split Mountain trips include a series of rating 3 rapids that can get pretty hairy at times. It is not a place for the new rafter. However if you have a few trips on weaker rapids under your belt and you want to step up the thrills, this is a good place to do it.

Lodore Canyon: Another great thrilling trip which typically includes Split Mountain. It features some of the best rapids on the green river which can get up to a rating 4 at it's most powerful times. If you are looking for a thrilling multi-day trip, then you can't do much better than a Lodore trip on the green river.

Still water and Labyrinth: The final main area worth talking about. This trip is about 100 miles of great scenery. If you are looking for thrills, this may not be what you are looking for. If you want peace, great views, and a fun outdoor rafting vacation then a StillWater and Labyrinth canyon trip may be what you want.

If you are looking for a thrill ride of a river, and you have experience with level 3 rapids then you might consider the salmon river. It is probably my favorite class 3 to class 4 river in the US because it does get very thrilling at time, without pushing you to the feeling of "I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die!"

There are calm areas between nice short rapids so the safety level is pretty good. Just make sure you go with a good group of guides.
There are several options available from most guide agencies that work the Salmon river.

The Three most common are the 1 day trip which is kind of a wet roller coaster with lunch. Fun and good for a wild day out sort of thing.
The 2 day trip which is usually only a bit longer than the 1 day trip, but you raft less distance at a time then set up camp one night and get to have the nicer experience of a camp along with the thrills of the rapids.

Then there are the adventure trips which tend to be 3 to 6 day or so trips. Be aware that a Salmon river multi-day adventure type package is really the full white water experience. You will be facing some of the best rating 3 and 4 rapids in the whole US.
However if what you want is a real adventure. The kind of thing you may only get one chance to do in your life it is worth it, trust me. It is well worth it.

Like I said before, make sure you hook up with a good crew of guides, and I don't recommend tackling the river on your own unless you are very experienced.

I love the Grand Canyon and over the years it has become my favorite "high adventure" vacation.

Before you start thinking of a Grand Canyon Rafting adventure you should have some other serious rapid rafting experience. Although there are plenty of tame areas, and the guides are the best in the business, the Grand Canyon Colorado River Rapids are some of the most dangerous in the country reaching level 5 and 6 in difficulty. As such, they are also some of the most fun to tackle.

Due to the Grandness of the Grand Canyon you will be hard pressed to find many guide packages that don't go at least 3 days. Some go nearly 2 weeks, but those are for people that want to make the Grand Canyon adventure their whole vacation, and are willing to pay for it. For a typical 12 or so day trip, expect to pay around $3,000 per person.

Not cheap, but these people are professionals and will give you the experience of a lifetime. Plus you can always save money by going during the off season or making different travel arrangements. Most of these trips start in Las Vegas and they take you to Marble Canyon or they start at Marble Canyon, then they run all the way to AZ. Then they get you back to Vegas, so making your own arrangements for return travel, or meeting your own transportation can save you quite a bit of money.

Of course you likely wont be wanting to spend your whole vacation roughing it so let's explore other options, and I will give you some ideas of what to expect.

The basic Grand Canyon Colorado River Rafting trip is 3 days, or 6 days. 3 day trips tend to be more hiking and getting from place to place rather than rafting. Depending on just who you made your arrangements with you might spend more time sitting in buses, and other transportation than doing anything fun. It's not their fault, the Grand Canyon is a big place.

The 6 day trips are a lot more fun. A lot more whitewater. You will come across motor powered boat and oar powered boat trips, either is good depending on what you want, and your experience with white water.

From there the trips can get bigger all the way up to the previously mentioned 12-13 day trips. There is no right or wrong way to do this vacation in my book. It just depends on your budget and how long you want to spend on the water and camping.

If you are just looking for a lot of whitewater fun there are plenty of guides that can take you through the best spots in a couple of days.
The choice is yours. I don't really think the Grand Canyon is good for new rafters, unless you are willing to learn the hard way. Having said that, I promise you the guides there are the best in the business and will see you though just fine.

If you are looking for a Grand Adventure, try the Grand Canyon.

Another Colorado River Rafting Run.

This time we go further north to another great rafting spot, in fact a great WhiteWater vacation is hitting the Westwater Canyon, taking a few days off, then heading down to the Grand Canyon.

Westwater is another rafting experience for those who have some already. I mean it can be a difficult trip. The main rapids hit rating 3 and 4 and Skull Rapids can be more than a little scary if you aren't prepared for it.

Westwater isn't ideal for a long trip, the main stretch is only about 17 miles. There are 1 day trips and 2-3 day trips mostly. With the extra days being spent hiking, sight seeing and depending on your guide, going over the best spots again.
Please keep in mind this is a highly protected area. Guides are only allowed to take a certain number of people out per day.

It is a fun river to shoot, but it has it's annoyances.

Considered to be the best White Water on the West coast by some, I call it one hell of a trip.
The Kern River runs for many miles and has rapids from class 2 all the way to 5.

The true appeal of the Kern river is that it is a place where you really have a full vacation. The main section for rafting runs right through the Sequoia National Park. Depending on where you go along the river there are spots for fishing, camping, hiking, and some of the most hair raising white water rafting in the USA.

I would like to point out here that the rating/class/level system I have been talking about is nothing to take lightly, people that do tend to wind up hurt or dead.

Rating 1 rapids are easy. Not really even rapids, just a role down the river with the current. Maybe a few small areas where you get bumped around a bit.

Rating 2 rapids are a bit rougher, more bumps on rocks, more movement in general, but still safe as long as you have a guide or know what you are doing.

Rating 3 rapids are what most people think of when they see white water rafting on TV or something. Small waves smashing into the raft, lot's of bumping off of rocks, real white water river runs. Can be scary, but never dangerous as long as you have a guide, good gear and do what you are told.

Rating 4 rapids are also seen often in commercial stuff. This where you are getting buffeted around, hit by good sized waves, have areas where there is considerable drop offs. What most people think of when they want a thrilling white water experience.
Rating 5 rapids are dangerous and require plenty of experience on whitewater to handle safely.

Rating 6 Rapids are considered very dangerous and even professionals are considered lucky if they make it through them alive and unhurt.
There are some areas such as the Grand Canyon that have their own rating system due to the wide variety of white water areas in them. However the more general rating system is fine.

My point here is that a white water vacation is supposed to be a thrilling, but just fun, experience. You have nothing to prove to anyone, and taking on a rapids that is beyond your comfort zone is not only stupid it is dangerous.
Back to the Kern River.

I wanted to point out all of those things because The Kern is the kind of place where it easy to get lulled into a false sense of confidence. There are areas that are quite easy that can suddenly become very dangerous. Never go out without a guide unless you really know what you are doing!

It is one of the nicest places to go white water rafting I think, and is very much worth the trip, just be safe and have fun:)

Last Minute Savings on Top Hotel Destinations

Another of the Great Colorado River Rapids systems.

Cataract Canyon is a pretty long stretch of river and is a lot more fun when you do it as a trip over 3 or 6 days, which is the standard package most guides and rafting trip companies offer. Some also offer one day trips that are okay, but should only be taken if you are in a hurry, or just want to experience the whitewater.

A one day trip is done in a jet boat which is used to get through the calm areas of the river fast.
Personally I like to kick back and enjoy the calm as well as get ramped up for the rapids.
The rapids in Cataract go up to a 5 rating.

It is a good place for a family vacation or business retreat. Just be aware that like most River Rafting trips with higher rated rapids they often have age restrictions on who they will take out. The rule of thumb is 7 or older, but many wont let anyone under 10 or even 12 on.

The Colorado is truly untamed in the Cataract Canyon region, with no dams or other obstructions to hinder the flow of water. This is why it is a white water rafting paradise. Some of the most challenging rapids in the US are found on it's run, yet there are plenty of places for beginners to try out easier trips.

If you are into the sight seeing aspects of rafting trips Cataract is an excellent place to observe wildlife and geology. There are places where you can see 300 millions years of geological history. If you are into geology I would suggest coming to Cataract Canyon just for that alone.

The Snake river is a big river, and there are many places to Run White Water on it.

I am going to talk about my favorite area, Hells Canyon. The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area to be precise.
There is roughly 68 miles of the snake river running through the area, and it offers plenty to do.

The epic scenery of the North West. Wonderful camping sites. Great fishing grounds, and wild and fun white water rafting trips of course.
The area is pretty much wilderness, and the river flows free and wild there.

Hell's Canyon is the deepest river cut gorge in north America and it is a sight to behold. There are also nearly 1,000 miles of trails for hiking, riding horses, hunting, biking and all the other fun out doors recreation stuff.

As for rafting the Snake River through this area you really need to have a guide that knows the area well with you. The level of rapids goes from 2 all the way to 5 in some areas, mostly during high flow periods, but there are some serious rating 4 sections like waterspout and granite creek that can be pretty hair raising.

Unless you know the area do not stray into the rapids with your motor or manual power boats. In particular keep in mind there is no where to get gas for boats along the river, so take plenty with you!

I like Hells Canyon more for the scenery than the white water, but that's just me. It is a great place to take a vacation no matter what you are looking for in your out doors adventure.

Rogue river is one of the best, and most beloved White Water locations in the USA.
It is a wilderness area that offer much for the eye and heart of those who venture there to take part in it's splendor.

The White Water of Rogue River rates from 2 to 4, and they are some of the best rapids for a nice vacation. You get plenty of thrills, without feeling like you are going to die at any point along the way.

Most trips on the Rogue are 2 or more days, although some sections do feature one day jet/speed boat trips. There isn't much in the way of white water on these trips, they are more for the scenery. Which is truly wonderful to behold.

One of the major draws for the Rogue is the abundant wildlife in the area. You can see many wild animals from the safety of a raft. Trust me, if you have never seen a bear in the wild you don't know what you are missing, it's nothing like seeing one in a zoo.

For those seeking more creature comforts there are several high quality lodges you can stay at. Most are run by people that run river and recreation adventures so you can often find package deals.

I love the Rogue River area not just for it's whitewater, but for the grandeur of the place.

From the wilds of the Northwest to the charm of the South.

We now move on to the Chattooga River in the Carolina's. As a frame of reference this is the river featured in the movie Deliverance, please don't worry, I have yet to encounter any "overly friendly" hill billies.

The great thing about the Chattooga is that there is something for everyone's skill level. The river is divided into sections and they tend to get rougher the furth you go. So if you want a more calm trip you can stick to sections 1 and 2. If you want a bit more thrill you can hit section 3, which has class 2 to 4 rapids. The final area, section 4 is a rough stretch of rapids, and includes most of the really wild rapids seen in Deliverance.

There is a section called Five Falls in section 4. It is a series of five class 4+ (depending on conditions) rapids one after the other within a section of the river only about a fourth of a mile long.

One of my favorite spots just because it never disappointments.

The best supplier of boating-related products and services that provide outstanding value to every Customer.
Committed to providing the best possible customer experience.

Boats have always had the power to inspire people. They have been the impetus behind countless songs, paintings, works of literature and early retirements. West Marine's founder and chairman, Randy Repass took his own passion for boating, channeled it into a prosperous business and revolutionized the way people shop for boating supplies.

What has become the world's largest boating supply retailer started modestly enough in a garage in Sunnyvale, CA. Repass, who was disappointed with his job at a Silicon Valley technology firm, turned to his love of boating for relief from the cold, impersonal nature of the high-tech industry. In 1968 he began selling nylon rope by mail order under the name West Coast Ropes.

Repass saw an opportunity to improve the way people shopped for boating supplies. According to Repass, he was frustrated by the experience of shopping in local chandleries for the parts he needed to outfit his modest daysailer. "Boat supply stores in those days were usually dark, disorganized places staffed by a couple of salty, but indifferent clerks who preferred swapping sea stories with one another to helping customers find what they came in to buy."

Repass' dissatisfaction led him to open the first West Coast Ropes store in Palo Alto, CA in 1975. Besides carrying the quality rope the business was built on, the original store stocked a small selection of basic boat supplies including anchors and fenders. Though the selection was meager at first, the service was outstanding. "We were, and continue to be, a company of boaters helping fellow boaters. From salespeople to top-level management, our associates are intimately familiar with the boating needs of our customers," says Repass. "We believe that it's just as important to offer knowledgeable service and support as it is to offer top-flight products."

The worlds largest boating supply company!

I have only been to the Rio Grande a couple of times, but it did not disappoint.

While I wouldn't call it the most thrilling White Water experience, it did offer a great deal of scenic peace and quiet.
There are several sections that are used for boat trips on the Rio Grande.

The Middle Box, The Lower Gorge, and the Taos Box. Each is generally done over the course of a day.
For me one of the big draws was the culture and history to be found there. It is a fun trip, and full of surprises.
If you are looking for a different white water rafting trip, I would highly suggest the Rio Grande.

The White Water along the Rio Grande runs the gamut from class 1 to class 6, although most of the really rough stuff is in the Taos Section.
The main section rafted is a 16 mile stretch that is typically done in one day. The last few miles are generally called the Rio Bravo and is one hell of a wild ride.

Last Minute Savings on Top Hotel Destinations

Gauley River and New River West Virgina

The Gauley and New Rivers are close enough together that most companies that you can set up guided trips through offer packages for both. In fact the Gauley river and The New River merge at one point to create the Kanawha River. Which in turn joins the Ohio river at Point Pleasant, West Virginia. The Setting of the Book The Mothman Prophocies and the film adapted from it.

Both rivers run the gamut from rating 1 rapids to rating 5. Most of the better guides can take you through any of them without you needing any experience.

There are several areas of the rivers that you might want to consider for a vacation.

The Lower New River Gorge features rating 3 to 5 rapids, but there are many areas to just kick back and relax. It makes for a great, and at times very wild, one day trip. Many also offer fast trips that just get your through the calm spots fast, to experience the rapids. Depending on your location you could do one as a fun weekend getaway.

The Upper New River is a fairly calm area and is perfect for families. It is a great sight seeing trip, and I recommend it to anyone that is a fan of ghost towns.

Middle New River is also pretty calm, and is also a great place for sightseeing trips.

Most companies offer multi-day trips that "do it all". You will get to experience the whole thing in style if you decide to take one of these fun trips. Most trips are overnighters since the "good" section of the river is under 30 miles long, however most companies do offer extended trips that include a lot more camping and hiking.

The New River is a great place for a get away, and is more than worthy of an honorable mention. It is also good to visit any time of the year.
The Gauley River

The Gauley River is a place to experience some big time whitewater rafting. It makes my honorable mentions list because it is a favorite place for thrill seekers, but is not good for family rafting, or the inexperienced at all. It is a wild ride, and you need to be in good shape and experienced on white water to tackle it.

Like most rivers there are sections that can be done separately or in sequence.

The Upper Gauley is a very wild ride, and usually starts at the base of the Summersville dam. Water gushes out of the dam through it's outlet tubes and races you down the river though rating 3 to 5 rapids. There are a total of five class 5 rapids, and they are a rush.

The lower Gauley is not as wild as the Upper, but is still an intense trip. The typical rating is still 3 to 5. Most companies will take you on the lower gauley even if it is your first trip, but they prefer it if you have some experience. I also would not recommend it as a first time white water experience.

All in all the New and Gauley rivers are great to check out, especially if you live on the east coast and the trip to get there would be easy.
Both are worthy of an Honorable Mention.

The Menominee River Wisconsin

One of the "best kept secrets" of White Water in my opinion, the Menominee is a great white water rafting adventure river.

One of my favorite wildlife watching trips, you can expect to see many animals, but best of all it is highly likely you will be able to catch site of Eagles in their natural environment. As a fan of Birds of Prey it is quite a site to see.

The Menominee has much to offer with various class levels and great areas for hiking, fishing and camping.

The river is dam controlled so it's not a free flowing river. However it does sport some terrific class 2 to class 4 rapids. They are safe enough when you have a guide with you, so it makes for a fun and thrilling family vacation.

The real fun begins with Piers Gorge. This is where the river gets compressed into a really great stretch of rapids that will shake rattle and roll you, in a good way of course.

The downside is that it is a short trip. Most guides and rafting excursion companies can take you through the whole thing in a about an hour and a half. Most only offer trips that take you through more than once so you can get the best bang for your buck.

It's a fun bit of rapids, but the small size of the trip keeps it from my top ten. However it does get my honorable mention.