50 Best Whitewater Rafting Adventures in the USA
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the 50 best whitewater rafting destinations in the United States! From the rugged canyons of the West to the lush forests of the East, the U.S. boasts an abundance of rivers offering exhilarating whitewater experiences for rafters of all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned pro seeking the ultimate challenge or a novice looking for a thrilling introduction to the sport, this robust list has something for everyone.
Top 50 List
Here are our picks for the 50 best whitewater rafting adventures in the country (in no particular order).
1. Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Colorado River offers an electrifying multi-day rafting trip through one of the world’s most iconic landscapes.
2. Gauley River, West Virginia
Known for its challenging rapids, the Gauley River offers adrenaline-pumping experiences, especially during the fall Gauley Season.
3. Chattooga River, South Carolina/Georgia
Designated as a Wild and Scenic River, the Chattooga offers a mix of rapids ranging from Class II to Class V.
4. Trinity River, California
This river offers a magnificent mix of Class III and IV rapids, making it an ideal destination for adventure seekers in the heart of the Golden State.
5. Arkansas River, Colorado
With various sections offering everything from family-friendly floats to intense Class IV rapids, the Arkansas River is a popular destination for rafters of all skill levels.
6. Tuolumne River, California
Cutting through the rugged Sierra Nevada, the Tuolumne River offers challenging rapids in a breathtaking badland setting.
7. Ocoee River, Tennessee
Host of the 1996 Olympic whitewater events, the Ocoee River provides exciting rapids and an amazing vibe.
8. Salmon River, Idaho
The River of No Return offers multi-day rafting trips through deep canyons and titillating whitewater.
9. New River, West Virginia
Offering a variety of rapids, the New River provides unending beauty and mind-blowing whitewater adventures.
10. Green River, Utah
Carving through Utah’s stunning canyons, the Green River offers multi-day rafting trips with Class II to Class IV rapids.
11. Youghiogheny River, Pennsylvania/Maryland
Known as the “Yough,” this river offers challenging rapids and beautiful landscapes, with options for both beginners and experienced rafters.
12. Kern River, California
Located in the southern Sierra Nevada, the Kern River offers astonishing whitewater rafting opportunities, especially during the spring snowmelt.
13. Deschutes River, Oregon
Offering a mix of rapids and majestic beauty, the Deschutes River is a popular rafting destination in the Pacific Northwest.
14. Nenana River, Alaska
Experience enchanting whitewater rafting amidst Alaska’s impressive no-man’s land, with options for both half-day and full-day trips.
15. Poudre River, Colorado
The Poudre River near Fort Collins offers a variety of rapids and striking landscapes, making it a popular choice for rafting enthusiasts.
16. Rio Grande, Texas
Experience the beauty of Big Bend National Park while navigating the rapids of the Rio Grande, which offers both easy floats and rip-roaring whitewater sections.
17. American River, California
Divided into three forks, the American River provides rafting experiences for beginners and experts, with beautiful views along the way.
18. White Salmon River, Washington
Enjoy gripping rapids and surrounding beauty as you raft through the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest.
19. Gunnison River, Colorado
Explore the Black Canyon of the Gunnison by raft, with dazzling nature views and challenging rapids awaiting.
20. Upper and Lower Klamath River, California/Oregon
Raft through scenic wilderness areas and showy rapids on the Klamath River, with options for both half-day and multi-day trips.
21. Merced River, California
Flowing through Yosemite National Park, the Merced River offers a mix of calm floats and exhilarating rapids against the backdrop of iconic granite cliffs.
22. Cheat River, West Virginia
Known for its remote beauty and challenging rapids, the Cheat River provides an unforgettable whitewater rafting experience.
23. North Fork of the American River, California
Offering advanced Class IV and V rapids, the North Fork provides a thrilling challenge for experienced rafters.
24. Animas River, Colorado
Enjoy rafting through the scenic canyons of southwest Colorado. The Animas River offers half-day and full-day trips.
25. Clear Creek, Colorado
Close to Denver, Clear Creek offers rousing rapids and beautiful scenery, making it a popular choice for day trips.
26. Pigeon River, Tennessee/North Carolina
Raft through the scenic Great Smoky Mountains on the Pigeon River, which offers both family-friendly floats and dramatic rapids.
27. Clark Fork River, Montana
Experience the beauty of western Montana while rafting through the picture-perfect canyons and provocative rapids of the Clark Fork River.
28. Pine Creek, Pennsylvania
Known for its challenging rapids, Pine Creek offers adrenaline-pumping whitewater adventures in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon.
29. Black River, New York
Navigate through deep gorges and stimulating rapids on the Black River in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York.
30. Nantahala River, North Carolina
Enjoy a fulfilling rafting trip on the Nantahala River, which features calm stretches and lively Class II and III rapids.
31. Dead River, Maine
Experience the thrill of continuous whitewater on the Dead River, which offers some of the most challenging rapids in the Northeast.
32. Salmon River, Oregon
Raft through the scenic wilds of western Oregon on the Salmon River, which features exciting rapids and lush forests.
33. Payette River, Idaho
The Payette River offers a variety of sections with different difficulty levels, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced rafters.
34. Chatanika River, Alaska
Venture into Alaska’s interior for a rafting trip on the Chatanika River, which offers scenic floats and zestful whitewater sections.
35. Cumberland River, Kentucky/Tennessee
Raft through the scenic Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area on the Cumberland River, which features Class II and III rapids.
36. Weber River, Utah
Close to Salt Lake City, the Weber River offers a mix of rapids and gorgeous mountain terrain, making it a popular choice for day trips.
37. Rogue River, Oregon
Experience the beauty of southern Oregon while rafting through the picturesque Rogue River canyon, which features calm stretches and wild rapids.
38. Big Thompson River, Colorado
Flowing through the Rocky Mountains, the Big Thompson River offers a variety of rapids and beautiful canyon views.
39. Middle Fork of the Flathead River, Montana
Raft through Glacier National Park’s pristine backcountry on the Flathead River’s Middle Fork, which offers sensational scenery and exhilarant rapids.
40. Salt River, Arizona
Explore the rugged landscapes of central Arizona while rafting on the Salt River, which features challenging rapids and desert setting.
41. Owyhee River, Oregon
Experience the remote wilds and eye-popping rapids on the Owyhee River, which flows through the high desert of southeastern Oregon.
42. Roaring Fork River, Colorado
Close to Aspen, the Roaring Fork River offers exciting rafting opportunities with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
43. Cossatot River, Arkansas
Known as the Cossatot National Wild and Scenic River, this waterway offers challenging Class III to Class V rapids amid the beauty of southwest Arkansas.
44. Deadwood River, Idaho
Flowing through the rugged landscapes of central Idaho, the Deadwood River provides riveting whitewater rafting adventures for experienced paddlers.
45. Desolation Canyon, Utah
Embark on a multi-day rafting adventure through the remote and impressive Desolation Canyon on the Green River, experiencing hair-raising rapids and untouched backcountry.
46. Blackfoot River, Montana
Follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark as you raft through the scenic parts of the Blackfoot River, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and heady rapids.
47. Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho
Navigate through the heart of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, experiencing challenging rapids and pristine outback.
48. Tongass National Forest, Alaska
Discover the wild beauty of Alaska’s Tongass National Forest on a rafting trip down one of its many rivers. You’ll be surrounded by towering forests, rugged mountains, and abundant wildlife.
49. Piney River, Colorado
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains on a rafting excursion down the Piney River, which offers mind-bending rapids and breathtaking alpine views.
50. Rio Chama, New Mexico
This river offers a mix of tranquil stretches and frantic rapids, surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs, pine-covered hillsides, and ancient ruins.