White Water Rafting
White water rafting is an exhilarating outdoor activity where participants navigate river crafts through turbulent waters. This thrilling sport has its roots in early river exploration and rose to become a popular recreational pursuit in the 1970s and 1980s with the advent of specially designed rubber rafts, personal floatation devices (PFD’s), and paddles.
White water rafting experiences feature a guide who controls the raft from the rear or center with oars or a paddle. Passengers may assist the guide in navigating the river using paddles to execute maneuvering directions.
The group dynamic of rafting offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and power of nature with family, friends and strangers. Working together to conquer riveting rapids while exploring stunning landscapes will foster connections and memories lasting lifetimes.
A Trip for Everyone
From outdoor enthused thrill seekers to multi-generational families looking for a fun activity to fill their summer vacation itinerary, there is a white water rafting trip for all. Trip options range from a few hours to nearly a week with varying degrees of rapid intensities. The minimum age for white water rafting is 4 years and 35lbs.
Rafting Trips by Experience
Multi-Day Trips
Explore the most renowned wilderness river canyons in the United States on an all inclusive overnight rafting trip from 2-6 Days.
Colorado River
Cataract Canyon, located on the Colorado River southwest of Moab, is one of America’s most rugged and beautiful canyons, and home to Utah’s biggest whitewater. Choose from 3 – 6 day adventures.
Green River
A magnificent towering canyon marks the start of the trip at the “Gates of Lodore” and follows one of the most beautiful stretches of river anywhere. Fed by dam-controlled flows from Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Green River
Located deep within the Tavaputs Plateau, Desolation Canyon is one of the most remote wilderness areas in Utah. Steep canyon walls with towering spires and abundant arches.
Dinosaur National Monument
The last of the wild ones! The Yampa is the last free-flowing river in the entire Colorado River system. With 4 or 5 day trips, you will be immersed in one of the most stunning river corridors in the U.S.
Arizona
Experience spectacular Salt River rafting in the Upper Salt River Canyon! Paddle through an incredible 2000-foot deep canyon as you take on rapids such as “Maytag,” “Overboard” and “Mescal Falls”.
Colorado River - Moab, UT
This serene section of the Colorado River moseys through a big beautiful valley lined with monuments, before cutting through a towering red rock canyon that meanders back toward Moab.
Silverton, CO
The Upper Animas is one of the most notorious whitewater rafting trips in the United States. This thundering stretch through the remote Weminuche Wilderness requires a wealth of respect, stamina, and tenacity from all those who run its wild waters.
Grand Junction, CO
Ruby Horesethief Canyon raft trips provide the perfect sample of the awe-inspiring canyon vistas that characterize the Colorado River. This section of the river is a tranquil 25 mile stretch of class I moving water the takes your from Grand Junction to just across the Utah border.
Daily Trips
Daily rafting trips are a perfect activity to fill a day on your next summer vacation. Take the the whole family rafting or book an adult only thriller. Trips range from 2-8 hours.
Colorado River - Moab, UT
This serene section of the Colorado River moseys through a big beautiful valley lined with monuments, before cutting through a towering red rock canyon that meanders back toward Moab.
Durango, CO
White Water rafting in Durango takes you right through the heart of town, and offers a perfect mix of exciting rapids for all experience levels. Locals and visitors alike love running this stretch for the exciting whitewater as much as its charming scenery and wildlife.
Arizona
Experience spectacular Salt River rafting in the Upper Salt River Canyon! Paddle through an incredible 2000-foot deep canyon as you take on rapids such as “Maytag,” “Overboard” and “Mescal Falls”.
Telluride, CO
San Miguel River rafting will thrust you into a world of forested red-rock walls, fast paced splashes and outdoor adventure.
Silverton, CO
The Upper Animas is one of the most notorious whitewater rafting trips in the United States. This thundering stretch through the remote Weminuche Wilderness requires a wealth of respect, stamina, and tenacity from all those who run its wild waters.
Pagosa Springs, CO
Splash through whitewater rapids in this pristine wilderness waterway as you spin around rocks and drop through chutes. Start at the head waters and paddle through lush alpine forest as creeks cascade into the river forming numerous, technical Class II rapids.
Rafting Trips by Adventure Level
Mild Trips
Colorado River - Moab, UT
This serene section of the Colorado River moseys through a big beautiful valley lined with monuments, before cutting through a towering red rock canyon that meanders back toward Moab.
Durango, CO
White Water rafting in Durango takes you right through the heart of town, and offers a perfect mix of exciting rapids for all experience levels. Locals and visitors alike love running this stretch for the exciting whitewater as much as its charming scenery and wildlife.
Green River
Located deep within the Tavaputs Plateau, Desolation Canyon is one of the most remote wilderness areas in Utah. Steep canyon walls with towering spires and abundant arches.
Grand Junction, CO
Ruby Horesethief Canyon raft trips provide the perfect sample of the awe-inspiring canyon vistas that characterize the Colorado River. This section of the river is a tranquil 25 mile stretch of class I moving water the takes your from Grand Junction to just across the Utah border.
Intermediate Trips
Green River
A magnificent towering canyon marks the start of the trip at the “Gates of Lodore” and follows one of the most beautiful stretches of river anywhere. Fed by dam-controlled flows from Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Telluride, CO
San Miguel River rafting will thrust you into a world of forested red-rock walls, fast paced splashes and outdoor adventure.
Dinosaur National Monument
The last of the wild ones! The Yampa is the last free-flowing river in the entire Colorado River system. With 4 or 5 day trips, you will be immersed in one of the most stunning river corridors in the U.S.
Arizona
Experience spectacular Salt River rafting in the Upper Salt River Canyon! Paddle through an incredible 2000-foot deep canyon as you take on rapids such as “Maytag,” “Overboard” and “Mescal Falls”.
Pagosa Springs, CO
Splash through whitewater rapids in this pristine wilderness waterway as you spin around rocks and drop through chutes. Start at the head waters and paddle through lush alpine forest as creeks cascade into the river forming numerous, technical Class II rapids.
High Adventure Trips
Colorado River
Cataract Canyon, located on the Colorado River southwest of Moab, is one of America’s most rugged and beautiful canyons, and home to Utah’s biggest whitewater. Choose from 3 – 6 day adventures.
Silverton, CO
The Upper Animas is one of the most notorious whitewater rafting trips in the United States. This thundering stretch through the remote Weminuche Wilderness requires a wealth of respect, stamina, and tenacity from all those who run its wild waters.
Rafting Trips by Destination
Check out the places we call home. Find a white water rafting trip for your next destination vacation.
Colorado
Colorado
Telluride
Silverton
Pagosa Springs
Dinosaur National Monument
Utah
Arizona
Need More Help Deciding?
Use our Trip Finder to find the best trip to fit your needs!
Related Reading & Video
White Water Rafting FAQ
What happens if you fall off the boat in white water rafting?
Falling out of the raft while white water rafting is always a possibility. The likelihood of falling out of the raft changes depending on the nature of the river. If you fall out of the raft you will want to get out of the river as quickly and safely as possible. This may involve swimming to shore or back to the raft. Self rescue is the best rescue and always listen to your guide’s directions.
Where is the safest place to sit white water rafting?
The safest place to sit while white water rafting depends on a variety of factors including but not limited to the river environment, guide, and other passengers on the raft. Sitting in the middle of the raft may decrease your chances of falling out.
What if you don't know how to swim for white water rafting?
All passengers are required to wear a Type V Personal Flotation Device (PFD). In the event you find yourself swimming in the river, you will stay afloat even if you don’t know how to swim. It is recommended passengers know how to swim, but is not a requirement for all rafting trips. It is important you share all pertinent personal information for your white water rafting trip with your guide prior to trip departure.
Is there a weight limit to white water raft?
There is no specific weight requirement to go white water rafting. However, it is required that you fit in a Type V Personal Flotation Device (PFD). The maximum chest size for a Type V PFD is 58 inches.
Why can't you wear cotton white water rafting?
Cotton is not recommended to wear white water rafting, because it dries slowly compared to other clothing materials like polyester. Its slow drying nature can enhance an evaporative cooling effect and make it more difficult to warm up after getting wet on the river.
What do you wear under a wetsuit in white water rafting?
Quick drying athletic material clothing or a swimming suit is best to wear under a wetsuit for white water rafting.
Will I float in a wetsuit?
Wetsuits do provide additional flotation, however it is not enough to serve as a Personal Flotation Device (PFD). A PFD must always be worn with a wetsuit while white water rafting.
Do you need a helmet for whitewater rafting?
Helmets are recommended for all white water rafting trips and required for some.
Are you strapped in white water rafting?
No. Strapping yourself in while white water rafting creates an unnecessary entrapment hazard and increases the danger of white water rafting. You can use the tubes in the raft and foot holds glued to the bottom of the floor to secure yourself in the raft.
How do you go to the bathroom on a rafting trip?
Depending on the trip there may be serviced restrooms along the river. You may urinate in the river. For multi-day rafting trips portable toilets are brought along on the trip and set up in a private area for defecation. Resealable plastic bags with waste alleviating gel are brought on all trips and kept easily accessible in the case of a defecation emergency.
Can you bring your phone white water rafting?
Yes you can bring your phone white water rafting. However, you risk the loss of it in the river and water damage. Water proof cases with straps can be purchased to help keep your phone dry and secure. Bringing valuable personal items on the river is not recommended.
