USA TODAY 10Best
Best Rafting Tour: Readers vote Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours
Best Rafting Tour (2020)
- Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours
- Northwest Rafting Company
- OARS
- Rivers and Oceans
- Western River Expeditions
- Downstream Adventures
- ARTA River Trips
- Wilderness Aware Rafting
- Adventures on the Gorge
- Zoar Outdoor
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning tour companies!
Photo courtesy of Zoar Outdoor
No. 10: Zoar Outdoor
Zoar Outdoor pioneered white water rafting on the Deerfield River in Massachusetts. Today, rafters enjoy trips throughout New England, from the West River in Vermont to the Millers and Concord Rivers in Massachusetts to the Great Falls section of the Connecticut River in Connecticut.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Eifel Kreutz
No. 9: Adventures on the Gorge
Adventures on the Gorge specializes in whitewater rafting trips in West Virginia. The most popular excursion takes guests along the Lower New River while navigating 25 rapids ranging from Class II to V. Other options include the Upper New River, Gauley River and Glade Creek Canyon.
Photo courtesy of Wilderness Aware Rafting
No. 8: Wilderness Aware Rafting
Based in Buena Vista, Colorado, Wilderness Aware Rafting leads trips on five rivers in the state, including the popular Arkansas River. Trips range from half-day excursions to 10-day adventures that include equipment and meals.
Photo courtesy of iStock / marekuliasz
No. 7: ARTA River Trips
ARTA River Trips leads trips on a dozen rivers in the American West, including scenic float trips through Green River Lodore Canyon in Dinosaur National Monument and heart-pounding whitewater adventures on the Tuolumne or Merced. All trip proceeds go toward conservation groups that protect these wild places.
Photo courtesy of Downstream Adventures
No. 6: Downstream Adventures
Downstream Adventures takes travelers on rafting trips through the heart of the Colorado Rockies via Clear Creek. Beginners navigate the 15 rapids of Middle Clear Creek, while more experienced rafters can take on the Lower or Upper Canyon (or the full river).
Photo courtesy of Western River Expeditions
No. 5: Western River Expeditions
Western River Expeditions has more than 50 years of experience guiding trips along the rivers and canyons of the American West. Today, the company offers itineraries in Arizona (Grand Canyon), Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Costa Rica.
Photo courtesy of Rivers and Oceans
No. 4: Rivers and Oceans
With Rivers and Oceans, adventurous travelers can explore the rivers of the western United States. Choose between one day trips through the Grand Canyon or multi-day rafting itineraries in Utah, Oregon, Arizona or Idaho.
Photo courtesy of James Kaiser / OARS
No. 3: OARS
Founded in 1969, family owned OARS has become a worldwide leader in white water rafting, with trips in eight U.S. states and nearly a dozen international destinations.
Photo courtesy of Bethany Johnson
No. 2: Northwest Rafting Company
Northwest Rafting Company specializes in rafting trips on Oregon’s Rogue River and Idaho’s Salmon River, though guests can also choose multi-day trips along the Owyhee, Illinois or Chetco Rivers. Specialty itineraries add in gourmet food, yoga sessions or live bluegrass music. Trips last four to six days.
Photo courtesy of Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours
No. 1: Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours
Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours leads trips in Colorado, Utah and Arizona, with a river for just about any thrill level and lasting anywhere from two hours to five days.
Congratulations to all these winning tour companies!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Jeremy Clement
Jeremy Clement is a full time co-founder at Read More
Jeremy Clement is a full time co-founder at Project Expedition, a curated travel platform that offers access to more than 20,000 tours and excursions in destinations around the world. Based in New York City, Jeremy and his team have helped Project Expedition earn a reputation as one of the leading providers of tours and activities among travel advisors. Prior to co-founding Project Expedition, Jeremy spent seven years working in financial data and technology at Bloomberg, with long-term assignments in their New York, London, and Tokyo offices.
Jeremy Clement
Jeremy Clement is a full time co-founder at Project Expedition, a curated travel platform that offers access to more than 20,000 tours and excursions in destinations around the world. Based in New York City, Jeremy and his team have helped Project Expedition earn a reputation as one of the leading providers of tours and activities among travel advisors. Prior to co-founding Project Expedition, Jeremy spent seven years working in financial data and technology at Bloomberg, with long-term assignments in their New York, London, and Tokyo offices.
Lauren Gay
Lauren Gay is the creator of Misadventures of the Read More
Lauren Gay is the creator of Misadventures of the Outdoorsy Diva Blog, host/producer of the Outdoorsy Diva Podcast, published photographer, speaker and CEO of Lauren R. Gay Consulting where she offers professional consulting services for blogs and podcasts, courses, as well as curated group adventure trips. She is a travel writer and social media influencer who is passionate about inspiring and empowering black women to step out of their comfort zones for new experiences in travel and adventure and embracing nature as therapy. Lauren is also a dedicated long time advocate for racial diversity and inclusion in outdoor recreation and adventure travel.
Lauren Gay
Lauren Gay is the creator of Misadventures of the Outdoorsy Diva Blog, host/producer of the Outdoorsy Diva Podcast, published photographer, speaker and CEO of Lauren R. Gay Consulting where she offers professional consulting services for blogs and podcasts, courses, as well as curated group adventure trips. She is a travel writer and social media influencer who is passionate about inspiring and empowering black women to step out of their comfort zones for new experiences in travel and adventure and embracing nature as therapy. Lauren is also a dedicated long time advocate for racial diversity and inclusion in outdoor recreation and adventure travel.