The Best Rafting Trip in (Almost) Every State

40 Bucket List Rafting Trips in the U.S.

We’ve put together 40 of the best rafting trips in the U.S. For whitewater fanatics, the following bucket list of recommendations includes many of the best rapids in the country and undoubtedly some of the United State’s most beautiful rivers. From multi-day wilderness trips to family-friendly floats and urban whitewater parks, this A-Z list aims to capture a little of each state’s character through the rafting adventures that are available on local waters, likely near you. 

1) Alabama: Chattahoochee River

The longest urban whitewater rafting trip in the world can be found on a 2.5 mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River that runs between Phenix City, Alabama and Columbus, Georgia. The Chattahoochee Whitewater Park was created when city planners decided to makeover the Chattahoochee and transform the industrial urban waterway into a recreation outpost. River engineers created finely-tuned rapids within the river that range from Class III-IV+ depending on water flow which is controllable and can reach 13,000 cfs at its peak. The most famous rapid is likely Cutbait, known for its constant carnage.

2) Alaska: Tatshenshini River

Perhaps the most rugged, remote and raw rafting adventure in any state, a multi-day trip on Alaska’s Tatshenshini provides a classic Alaskan wilderness experience. From glacial moraines and floating icebergs to grizzly sightings and float plane shuttles, a rafting trip on the “Tat” is unparalleled. Be prepared to enter “Scenic Overdose Syndrome” on this trip.

3) Arizona: Colorado River through the Grand Canyon

If a 2-week Grand Canyon rafting trip hasn’t made it to the top of your list, go ahead and move it to number one. The experience of descending through layers upon layers of ancient rock as big, fun whitewater rapids transport you to your next dream campsite just can’t be missed for any river enthusiast. Add in the side hike opportunities and no other form of recreation offers a more intimate and comprehensive experience in Grand Canyon than rafting the Colorado River.

4) Arkansas: Mulberry River

Get the kids out for a family-friendly float on the Mulberry River in Arkansas’ Ozark region. Gentle rapids mean you can navigate your own raft without a guide for a great bonding experience and personalized day on the river. The river offers a tour of quintessential Ozark scenery: narrow canyons, dense woods and tree-lined bluffs. Arkansas designated the Mulberry as a State Scenic River, which led it to be included in the Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers system protecting this rafting recreation resource for generations to come.

5) California: Tuolumne River

OARS President Tyler Wendt knows a thing or two about California rivers. Afterall, he grew up rafting the state’s many waterways with his dad, OARS founder George Wendt. Tyler maintains, the Tuolumne River offers the California’s best rafting trip. “This gorgeous stretch of designated Wild and Scenic river runs through 18 miles of uninterrupted wilderness, and serves up action-packed Class IV whitewater excitement from start to finish, numerous options for side-canyon exploration, phenomenal fishing and consistent summertime flows due to releases from upstream reservoirs.”

6) Colorado: Yampa River

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains produce countless whitewater rafting trips that would take years to tick off your list. However, the Yampa has a special characteristic that other rivers in the state can’t offer. “While most rivers in the Colorado Basin have been dammed and diverted, the Yampa runs free,” says American Rivers’ Amy Kober. Exciting Class III rapids, vivid canyon colors and stories of outlaw hideouts make a trip on the Yampa River one of the best multi-day rafting excursions in the country. “It’s a special thing to be able to float a truly wild river,” says Kober.

7) Connecticut: Housatonic River

Connecticut’s original name “Quinnehtuckqut,” or land of the winding tidal rivers, is a paradise for canoers and kayakers. And while whitewater is a bit hard to come by, in northwestern Connecticut there can be a very short, but excellent, springtime rafting season on the Housatonic where paddlers can find a 2-mile, Class IV stretch of challenging whitewater. Mostly, however, paddlers opt for the more reliable 10-mile stretch of scenic, do-it-yourself rafting near the picturesque New England town of West Cornwall.

8) Florida: Suwanee River

While Florida “rafting trips” are more float trips and may not have mountain ranges and the accompanying whitewater, the state does have incredible scenery with the occasional spicy interlude of whitewater for kayakers and canoeists. The Suwanee River through Big Shoals State Park features the biggest rapids in the entire state.  Most river users opt for lazy floats and picnics on riverside sandy beaches through the state park and a portage around Big Shoals rapid. However, this Class II-III rapid is a fun whitewater punch for paddlers.

9) Georgia: Chattooga River

At the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains, Georgia has great river running options. However, a trip to the southeast must include a descent of the legendary Chattooga River, flowing along the border of Georgia and South Carolina. Whitewater rafting through the boulder gardens, rock slides and waterfalls of the Chattooga forged Olympic paddlers and helped spur the popularity of rafting over the past 40 years. Some of the Chattooga’s bigger rapids include Bull Sluice, Woodall Shoals, Five Falls and Sock-em-Dog—names known to nearly every whitewater paddler in the nation. Also see: Chattahoochee River (Alabama).

10) Idaho: Middle Fork of the Salmon River

As classic as it gets, the Middle Fork Salmon River rafting trip through Idaho’s Frank Church Wilderness has long held the title for the most spectacular multi-day rafting experience in the country, and certainly in Idaho. Exhilarating whitewater (some of Idaho’s best rapids) link together for an incredible adventure through Idaho’s finest mountain landscape. When not enjoying the river’s clear water and paddling thrills, hiking in the surrounding alpine forests or soaking in multiple hot springs will immerse you even more in this storied wilderness.

11) Illinois: Big Vermillion River

On your next cross-country drive, consider a pit stop to enjoy Illinois’ best rafting on the Vermillion River. Considered a great beginner trip, local outfitters will rent you a raft to take on the river’s Class I-II rapids. When rains have filled the banks with more water, these rapids can get more rowdy and require experience. Rapids are plentiful, but mostly end in long pools that allow beginners to recuperate if any unexpected action occurs.

12) Indiana: Whitewater River

While named the Whitewater River, this Indiana rafting classic will not necessarily include big waves and surges of adrenaline. Instead, this river offers a steep gradient with steady swiftwater and scenic forest views. Many river runners opt to captain their own raft, but guided trips provide excellent interpretation of the river’s history and natural features.

13) Iowa: Charles City Whitewater Park on the Cedar River

The reconstructed Cedar River used to be a source of potential deaths if swimmers encountered one of the deadly low-head dams along the river. Today, the dams have been removed and the Charles City Whitewater Park now provides river enjoyment for whitewater boaters and an annual economic impact of more than $700,000 for the town. A win for whitewater. You’ll have to bring your own raft to take on these rapids, but the surf waves are sure to make your efforts worthwhile.

14) Kentucky: Russell Fork

When fall leaves begin to cover Kentucky’s small mountain roads, scheduled dam releases fill the Russell Fork and elite kayakers and rafters flock to the area for the legendary Class IV-V action. Certainly not for beginners, this top Kentucky rafting destination demands highly technical and strong paddling for any raft team looking to descend the four miles of this steep creek. Paddlers often camp out for a weekend and run the river multiple times each day, allowing you to really immerse yourself (ideally not literally) in this Kentucky classic.

15) Maine: Penobscot River

Flowing south of Mt. Katahdin, the famed final summit of the Appalachian Trail, the Penobscot River is Maine’s top whitewater rafting destination. An upstream dam provides consistent water to create water features such as falls, holes and surf spots in rapids ranging from Class III-V. Be sure to look up from the whitewater chaos to appreciate Maine’s spectacular scenery and avoid any unwanted Moose encounters.

16) Maryland: Upper Youghiogheny River

In the far west arm of Maryland the Upper Yough is unequivocally the best rafting destination in the state and the greater Washington DC area. During the release days when water flows out of the upstream dam, you’ll find rafters and kayakers lining up at the put-in to descend this classic eastern steep creek. Rafters typically pick smaller crews of 3 to 5 people for their rafts to better navigate the nearly continuous and technical Class IV-V rapids. On busy days, take a lunch break at National Falls and watch boats maneuver from Triple Drop into the falls – hopefully upright!

17) Massachusetts: Deerfield River

The 3-mile section of the Deerfield River in western Massachusetts called the Dryway has fostered a strong community of Northeast paddlers, and for good reason. The advanced whitewater rapids within this short section are a perfect goal for beginner and intermediate paddlers who are building their skills on other sections of the Deerfield. Rafters can jump on a day trip and experience the northern Berkshire Mountains.

18) Michigan: Menominee River

The short, but power-packed rapids on the Menominee River have been claimed by many as the best whitewater in Michigan, despite technically flowing on the border with Wisconsin. A deep gorge and large, dramatic rapids make this day trip a unique Midwest whitewater experience. Some outfitters allow guests to take a look at the final Piers Gorge rapids and opt to portage if it looks too risky for their tastes.

19) Minnesota: St. Louis River

In a state known for its 10,000+ lakes, the St. Louis River may seem like an anomaly. Flowing through Northern Minnesota, the river provides Class II-IV whitewater action for rafters and kayakers in a one-day punch. You’ll still experience the North Country landscape rich with wildlife and water, but with a paddle in your hand and a wave hitting you in the face.

20) Missouri: Saint Francis River

“‘The Saint’ offers smooth granite-lined rapids that are full of character and beautiful uninterrupted scenery,” claims Missouri native and renowned kayak instructor Paul Kuthe. “The river is easy to access and can have an awesome big-water feel during high-water events. You’re instantly transported to a place that feels more like a mountain stream rather than something you’d find in the Midwest. It’s definitely worth a stop if you’re anywhere near the area when it rains. People flock from eight states to soak in this beauty.”

21) Montana: Middle Fork Flathead River

Draining from the southern edge of Glacier National Park, the Middle Fork Flathead’s pristine water quality, deep forest shorelines and geologic rainbow riverbed hypnotize rafters as they make their way downstream. This premier Wild and Scenic River can be broken into sections for a deep wilderness multi-day trip (plane, horse or foot access only) or a roadside day trip for fishing and rowdy whitewater action. No matter which section you float, keep an eye out for bear tracks, eagles and huckleberry patches.

22) Nevada: Black Canyon of the Colorado

The section of the Lower Colorado River that flows out of Hoover Dam—known as the Black Canyon Water Trail—may be overshadowed by the upstream Grand Canyon, but is absolutely worth a few days of floating if you’re in the area. It is certainly the best rafting in Nevada. This stretch does not require years of waiting for permits and transports rafters through some incredible scenery. Great for families, this gentle float trip includes lots of side canyon exploring, active hot springs, waterfalls and beautiful geologic formations.

23) New Hampshire: Androscoggin River

A great half-day rafting adventure can be found on the Androscoggin River in northern New Hampshire, especially if younger family members or trepidatious first-time rafters are part of your group. Typical river trips lap the Class II-III rapids several times, providing opportunity to take new lines and increase your comfort on the river.

24) New Jersey: Delaware River

Found along the borders of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, the Delaware River attracts visitors from everywhere on the East Coast. Rent a raft or canoe to float, picnic and relax with family and friends for a day, or opt to load up your boat with camping equipment and spend several days on the water. Designated as Wild and Scenic, many sections of this river meander through tall cliffs with distinctive ecological zones and feature buildings that date back to Colonial Times.

25) New Mexico: Rio Grande

Just outside of Taos, New Mexico, the ground drops away into the 850-foot-deep Rio Grande Gorge. A geologic wonder in a spectacular desert environment, the Rio Grande River flows through this chasm and offers several different sections of rafting depending on your lust for adventure. The Lower Taos Box of the Rio Grande delivers big Class IV rapids in the deepest depths of the canyon while the Racecourse section downstream offers plentiful Class III waves and rapids for an intermediate day.

26) New York: Moose River

Not for the faint of heart, the Moose River is a technical rock-studded run that requires precision and a coordinated crew. The Class IV-V trip is 13 miles long and has some of the largest drops in the Northeast. The spring rafting season on the Moose is typically pretty short and most outfitters only allow adults for safety reasons. If you’re looking for a thrill, New York paddlers say, “Take a ride on the Moose.”

27) North Carolina: Nantahala River

Nearly every Southerner has a story about their trip down the Nantahala River. This top rafting destination in western North Carolina has been known to launch first-time rafters into a lifetime of rafting. Rafts can be guided or unguided along this narrow and crisp waterway through a quintessential Smokey Mountain forest. The trip ends (and the storytelling begins) just upstream of the Nantahala Outdoor Center at the Class III Nantahala Falls.

28) Oklahoma: Oklahoma River

River engineers revitalized the Oklahoma River from a muddy ditch running through Oklahoma City to a recreation hotspot and the state’s best rafting destination. Riversport Adventures whitewater park at the Boathouse District allows urbanites to experience the thrill of rafting anytime, while athletes can come to train and hone their skills. At the center, recirculated water with adjustable flows creates Class II-IV whitewater experiences that everyone from beginners to experts can enjoy.

29) Oregon: Rogue River

Among so many legendary rivers, picking Oregon’s top rafting destination is tricky. However, the Rogue River in the southwestern Siskiyou Mountains remains a true classic. The 3- to 5-day adventure is one of the best all-around river trips in the country. We think everyone should raft it at least once. Swimming spots, iconic rapids, rugged scenery, wildlife, historic homesteads and more make the Rogue a crowd-pleaser for river runners of every age and ability.

30) Pennsylvania: Lower Youghiogheny River

In the Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania, the Lower Yough tumbles over bedrock and boulders. In the summer months, this rafting destination, often highlighted in best-of lists, becomes a mecca for paddlers. Many opt to navigate their own raft, but at higher spring flows you’ll find a guide in each raft. Beginners to experts love this stretch of river nestled in Ohiopyle State Park and often find themselves floating it year after year. Also see: Delaware River (New Jersey).

31) South Carolina: Chattooga River

As it runs along the border of South Carolina and Georgia, the Chattooga is technically in both states. And it offers such a great rafting trip, it qualifies for the best float in both states. The Southeast’s only Wild & Scenic River, the Chattooga is loaded with swimming holes, playful whitewater and a smattering of campsites (though just a couple outfitters offer overnight trips).

32) Tennessee: Nolichucky River

An aspiring Wild and Scenic River, the Nolichucky in eastern Tennessee transports rafters into a beautiful forested gorge with great whitewater action – 25 named rapids to be exact! The Nolichucky Gorge, the Southeast’s deepest gorge, houses most of the bigger whitewater action while the lower stretch of the river makes for great family floating fun.

33) Texas: Rio Grande River

One river and the top rafting destination for two states, the Rio Grande in Texas also boasts a narrow gorge and incredible scenery for rafters, albeit different formations than in New Mexico. Tall limestone cliffs and the infamous Rock Slide Rapid make rafting through Santa Elena Canyon a committing adventure. Lower stretches of the river offer hot springs and gentle currents through the Big Bend area.

34) Utah: Colorado River through Cataract Canyon

Legendary whitewater and peaceful sections of flat water through dramatic canyon scenery, combined with unprecedented access to Canyonlands National Park, epic hikes and camping on huge sandy beaches put a trip on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon at the top of the list when it comes to the best Utah rafting experiences. Not to mention, in spring and early summer, Cataract Canyon’s infamous Big Drops, considered among the best rapids in the world, can be at their largest.

35) Vermont: West River

Vermont’s best whitewater rafting can only be experienced on a few special spring and fall days when water tumbles from an upstream dam to create eight miles of whitewater on the West River. Flowing into the heart of Jamaica State Park, granite boulders create exciting Class III-IV rapids while lush forest and scenic side streams dominate the scenery.

36) Virginia: Shenandoah River

Flowing through one of Virginia’s most popular outdoor destinations, the Shenandoah River allows rafting enthusiasts to experience the rolling, forested foothills of the Appalachian Mountains from the relaxing drift of a boat. While most visitors opt to stay in their vehicles on Skyline Drive, exploring the area by river allows a much more peaceful and true natural experience.

37) Washington: White Salmon River

Volcanic eruptions and massive glacial floods dramatically carved the Columbia River Gorge and the White Salmon River valley thousands of years ago. Today, the river’s basalt rock and continuous underground springs make it Washington’s top whitewater rafting destination. Blue water gushes from basalt aquifers and tumbles over Class III-V rapids for one of the best half-day rafting trips in the country. Hold on for Husum Falls, one of the tallest navigable waterfalls for rafts in the world.

38) West Virginia: Gauley River

West Virginia wouldn’t be the same without the Gauley River. This premier rafting destination is where the East Coast’s rafting culture began and where Gauleyfest, a rowdy annual celebration of whitewater rafting takes place. The weekend dam releases in the fall attract boaters from across the world to experience the Gauley’s big water. “You’d be hard pressed to find a paddler in West Virginia that wouldn’t consider the Gauley River the state’s best commercially-run whitewater,” says Haynes Mansfield, marketing director for ACE Adventure Resort. “It’s got a lot going for it between a guaranteed dam controlled flow of 2,800 CFS during Fall Gauley Season, five Class V+ rapids on the Upper Gauley including the notorious Pillow Rock and two Class V rapids on the calmer Lower Gauley all wrapped into a 23 mile long scenic, wilderness journey.”

39) Wisconsin: Wolf River

Orange water colored by the tannins in the foliage meanders through thick forests and over bedrock rapids for Wisconsin’s top rafting destination on the Wolf River. Gentle sections upstream offer family floating or kayak instruction while the stretch between Otter Slide Landing and Big Smokey Falls offers six miles of Class III-IV rapids through a narrow canyon. The Menominee Tribe manages the land surrounding this section of the Wolf, so you need to get permission if you plan to go without an outfitter. Also see: Menominee River (Michigan)

40) Wyoming: Snake River

A great western waterway, the Snake River originates in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks making it Wyoming’s top whitewater rafting trip. Imagine floating through these American landscapes where the idea of wilderness protection has long been treasured. Moose, elk, river otter, bears, and other local inhabitants frequent the shores at the base of snow-capped peaks. Choose a relaxing and scenic float through Grand Teton National Park or head downstream of Jackson to find big water rapids.

Did we miss a state where you think there’s a stretch of river worthy of best rafting in the U.S. status? Chime in below.

This post was originally published February of 2018 and was last updated March 2023.

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Photos from top: Grand Canyon – Josh Miller; Tatshenshini River – ROAM; Grand Canyon – Dylan Silver; Tuolumne River – Dylan Silver; Yampa River – Taylor Miller; Idaho – Rob Aseltine; Russell Fork – Breaks Interstate Park; Penobscot River – Three Rivers Whitewater; Menominee River – Northwoods Adventures; Middle Fork Flathead – Glacier Raft Co.; Rio Grande River – Wikimedia Commons; Rogue River – Cindi Stephan; Cataract Canyon – James Kaiser; Gauley River – ACE Adventure Resort

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