Which Rivers To Float?

So, you want to take a multi-day white water rafting trip. What river should you float? Well, here are some ideas about that.

Disclaimer

All rivers are dangerous. And something as simple and natural as a tree falling across the river channel can turn an easy river into a deathtrap. Any river characterized as a white water rafting river is, naturally, on the more dangerous end of the scale. This page attempts to categorize rivers that are suitable for multi-day white water rafting trips by the overall challenge involved in running them. This is a somewhat sketchy exercise, but may be helpful for those new to the sport to gain a rough understanding of the river rafting trip opportunities in the Western US. As for your safety if you run these or other rivers seen on this website, no warranty is expressed or implied! You'll note that most of the pictures on this site are of blue sky days; I've been a pretty lucky guy in that regard, and also in terms of keeping out of trouble on the river. Please be careful out there, study hard, learn and practice river safety and first aid, and never let your guard down.

Do your own research

This list is not complete, nor are the permit requirements listed. Many of these rivers are highly regulated with permits available only through an annual lottery system. If you wish to run one of these white water rivers on a private 'do-it-yourself' rafting trip, contact the proper administration authority for more information on permits, flows, regulations specific to each river, and local vehicle shuttle services. Commercial white water rafting outfitters offer regular trips on many of these rivers.

** See Maps and Satellite Photos of all the rivers below, and more at:

White Water Rafting Rivers - Topographic maps and satellite photos of the major western whitewater rivers


Easier Rivers

These rivers might be considered for those beginning to take 'do-it-yourself' white water rafting trips or for families trying to keep the danger level down. The challenges on these rivers are low, relative to other white water rafting opportunities, and the experience may be more about river travel and camping.

More Challenging Rivers

These rivers are generally easier than the more difficult rivers listed below. They have fewer major rapids but they do present challenges, especially during periods of high water.

Taking The Next Step

These rivers are excellent for white water rafting trips. They offer significant rapids and challenges along with outstanding scenery. Rafting trips on these rivers with a commercial outfitter would be a great first experience in the sport of white water rafting.

The Big Boys

These rivers present major whitewater challenges. They're 'a notch above' other rivers because of their rapids, isolation, scenery, or some combination thereof. A white water rafting trip on one of these rivers won't soon be forgotten!

The Elite Rivers

These are the most exclusive rivers in the west for whitewater rafting trips

These last two rivers are not only some of the most difficult rivers to navigate, with the greatest challenges, but they are also very difficult to obtain permits for. During its normal season, a rafting trip on the Selway is a rare adventure for expert white water boaters, in large part because the managing agency, the USFS, issues only one permit per day for private groups.

The Grand Canyon offers some of the largest rapids in the USA and its 280 mile length means that logistics are also a challenge. Shorter trips are common, especially through the 20 or so commercial guide services who offer white water rafting trips through the Grand Canyon. It's interesting to note that in a 280 mile trip down the Grand Canyon; only about 5 miles of that distance are in significant rapids. But they are big and some of the baddest in the land! The epic adventure that is a Grand Canyon rafting trip is why the waiting list for a private party permit has been unbelievably long.

Main Salmon River, Idaho Mule Creek Canyon on the Rogue River, Oregon Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho, One of the premier river rafting trips Grande Ronde River, Oregon Velvet Falls on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho Yampa River, Colorado Deschutes River, Oregon