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Enjoy an exhilarating river adventure with the 10 best rafting tours in the US
Photo courtesy of bojanru // Getty Images
The rivers of North America offer some of the world’s best whitewater rafting opportunities for all experience levels. From white-knuckle rapids to more relaxed family floats, rafting is a great way to add a dash of adventure to a trip. To find the best spots for rafting, we asked a panel of experts and 10Best editors for nominations. The top 10 winners were then determined by votes from our readers.
Photo courtesy of Northern Outdoors
No. 10: Northern Outdoors - West Forks, Maine
Northern Outdoors is an adventure resort located in Maine. Guests can enjoy whitewater rafting on the Kennebec, Dead and Penobscot Rivers from May through early autumn. Half- and full-day trips are offered for families of all ages, as well as folks of all skills levels, from first-time paddlers to the most experienced rafters.
Photo courtesy of Western River Expeditions
No. 9: Western River Expeditions - Moab, Utah
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 Green River Adventures
No. 8: Green River Adventures - Saluda, North Carolina
Green River Adventures offers whitewater rafting experiences and personalized kayak lessons from Saluda, North Carolina. Their Lower Green River adventure is perfect for families and those with more moderate activity levels, while their Upper Green River experience is geared more towards experienced kayak enthusiasts who are looking for heart-pumping excitement and Class IV rapids!
Photo courtesy of Wildwater
No. 7: Wildwater Rafting - Hartford, Tennessee
Wildwater Rafting, the Southeast's "original professional outfitter," has been leading whitewater rafting trips since 1971. With outposts on four rivers throughout the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, Wildwater offers a variety of rafting trips ranging from family-friendly to wildly epic.
Photo courtesy of Rivers and Oceans
No. 6: Rivers & Oceans - Flagstaff, Arizona
With Rivers & 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 stellalevi // Getty Images
No. 5: Glacier Guides and Montana Raft Co. - West Glacier, Montana
This Montana-based tour company can’t want to take you rafting down the stunning border rivers in Glacier National Park. Enjoy thrilling Class II-III whitewater rafting adventures with various rafting experiences for half-days and full days. Also available are overnight/multi-day trips for intermediate and advanced rafters, family-friendly rafting and private rafting trips where you choose the date and duration.
Photo courtesy of Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours
No. 4: Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours - Durango, Colorado
Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours leads trips in Colorado, Utah and Arizona, with a river for just about any thrill level. Trips last anywhere from two hours to five days.
Photo courtesy of Downstream Adventures
No. 3: Downstream Adventures Rafting - Empire, Colorado
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 Zachary Collier
No. 2: Northwest Rafting Company - Hood River, Oregon
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 Wilderness Voyageurs
No. 1: Wilderness Voyageurs - Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania
Wilderness Voyageurs is a full-service outfitter in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania. They offer guests several whitewater rafting adventures on rivers in Pennsylvania and Maryland between May and early fall. Trips for all ages, from five to 85, and every skill level, from beginner to experienced, are available.
The Experts
10Best Editors
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased... Read More
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
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.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of... Read More
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. Award-winning publications including MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations, and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter review experiences ranging from eco-adventures to city breaks, multi-generational cruises to summer family vacations. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravel4um.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. Award-winning publications including MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations, and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter review experiences ranging from eco-adventures to city breaks, multi-generational cruises to summer family vacations. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravel4um.
Rob Taylor
Rob Taylor is the author of The Road Trip Survival... Read More
Rob Taylor is the author of The Road Trip Survival Guide (being released May 25, 2021) and the founder of 2TravelDads, the original LGBT Family Travel blog. Focusing on ecotourism and education, 2TravelDads inspires LGBT families (and traditional families also) to go beyond their usual getaways and use travel to learn about and be part of a bigger world. 2TravelDads blazes the way for other two-dad and two-mom families to travel to previously overlooked destinations or places we as gay people would normally avoid. We share the struggles we've faced and the surprising gems and welcomes we've had along the way. Traveling as a family is one thing, traveling as an LGBT family is completely something else.
Rob Taylor
Rob Taylor is the author of The Road Trip Survival Guide (being released May 25, 2021) and the founder of 2TravelDads, the original LGBT Family Travel blog. Focusing on ecotourism and education, 2TravelDads inspires LGBT families (and traditional families also) to go beyond their usual getaways and use travel to learn about and be part of a bigger world. 2TravelDads blazes the way for other two-dad and two-mom families to travel to previously overlooked destinations or places we as gay people would normally avoid. We share the struggles we've faced and the surprising gems and welcomes we've had along the way. Traveling as a family is one thing, traveling as an LGBT family is completely something else.
