Whitewater Rafting
"Thrills and spills await on the wild and wavy rapids of whitewater rafting and kayaking! Are you ready to brave the currents and conquer the waves? Read on to learn more about this exciting outdoor adventure."
Whitewater rafting and kayaking are both popular water sports that take place on rivers with varying degrees of roughness, or "whitewater." These activities offer a thrilling and physically demanding way to explore the great outdoors and test your limits.
Rafting involves navigating through whitewater rapids in an inflatable raft with a group of people, often guided by a trained and experienced rafting guide. Rafters use paddles to steer the raft and work together to navigate through the rough waters.
Kayaking, on the other hand, involves navigating through the rapids in a small, one or two-person kayak, using a double-bladed paddle to steer and propel the craft. Kayakers may choose to go solo or join a guided group.
Both rafting and kayaking offer a unique and exciting way to experience nature, with the added adrenaline rush of tackling challenging rapids. For some, it's a chance to challenge themselves and try something new and exciting. Others enjoy the opportunity to bond with friends and family, or to appreciate the natural beauty of their surroundings in a unique way.
If you're interested in giving whitewater rafting or kayaking a try, it's important to choose a reputable outfitter and follow safety guidelines. Proper training and safety equipment, such as helmets and life jacket, are crucial for a safe and enjoyable trip.
So if you're ready to brave the currents and conquer the waves, grab your paddle and join the adventure of a lifetime with whitewater rafting and kayaking!
Here's some of our favorite whitewater rapids
American River Confluence
Auburn, California
2.2 miles NE of Auburn, CaliforniaThe Confluence — where the North and Middle Forks of the American River meet below Foresthill Bridge — is Auburn's favorite swimming and rafting hub.
Hike, Horseback, Kayak, Rock Climb, Swim, Whitewater Add LocationBullpasture Gorge
Williamsville, Virginia
1.7 miles NW of Williamsville, VirginiaBullpasture Gorge is a wild and beautiful river canyon in the remote western highlands of Virginia, where the Bullpasture River carves a dramatic gorge through Highland County near Williamsville. A...
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Whitewater 3.8 mi
Ramsey Cascades
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
8.6 miles E of Gatlinburg, TennesseeRamsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — a thundering 100-foot, multi-tiered cascade hidden deep in the old-growth forest of the Greenbrier area near...
Hike, Kayak, Swim, Whitewater 0.1-0.9 mi
Clear Creek Whitewater Park
Golden, Colorado
0.3 miles W of Golden, ColoradoA quarter-mile whitewater stretch in Golden with six drop structures and seven city blocks of clear-water action — beginner training facilities and national competition events.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Swim, Whitewater
Cossatot River Falls
Duckett, Arkansas
1.6 miles N of Duckett, ArkansasFast-moving blue water over dramatic dark rock formations, with level-three whitewater for kayaking and rafting, calmer wading sections, six campsites at $16/night, and hiking through forested canyon views.
Camp, Hike, Swim, Whitewater
River Access Hole
Cabins, West Virginia
2.2 miles SW of Cabins, West VirginiaScenic forested rock formations and the rushing North Fork South Branch of the Potomac River offer wading, swimming, fly fishing, and float access — wear foot protection in the rocky riverbed.
Canoe, Kayak, Swim, Whitewater
Shoe Creek
Roseland, Virginia
6.8 miles NW of Roseland, VirginiaTwo miles of Class III-V rapids and multiple surrounding creeks for kayakers and rafters, plus a high-clearance off-road trail for 4WD adventurers along Shoe Creek in Virginia.
Whitewater
Pine Flat Hot Springs
Garden Valley, Idaho
13.5 miles E of Garden Valley, IdahoAn aqua-blue hot spring pool at the base of a small waterfall on the South Fork Payette River — just a quarter mile from Pine Flat Campground in the Boise National Forest.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Hot Springs, Kayak, Whitewater
Baby Falls
Tellico Plains, Tennessee
7.1 miles E of Tellico Plains, TennesseeA Tellico River waterfall and swimming hole that's beginner-friendly for kayakers, beautiful for hikers, and especially stunning in fall for picnics and photography.
Hike, Kayak, Swim, Whitewater
Merced River
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
0.6 miles SE of Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National ParkThe Merced River circles Yosemite Valley with whitewater, swimming holes, gold-panning spots, and unbeatable views of Yosemite Falls and Glacier Point at every bend.
Camp, Swim, Whitewater
- Plan Ahead and Prepare. Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups. Repackage food to minimize waste. Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces. Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow. Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams. Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- Dispose of waste properly. Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter. Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Leave what you find. Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Minimize campfire impacts. Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the environment. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires. Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Respect wildlife. Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them. Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely. Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
- Be considerate of other visitors. Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail. Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock. Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors. Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
