Check Out These Nine Best Rivers To Go Rafting!

It’s always exciting to embark on an outdoor adventure. There is a lot to relish from this escapade – you get to bask in the beauty of the scenery, experience the heart-pumping adrenaline rush, and make memories that you can cherish for a lifetime.

White River Rafting is a recreational activity where you are given the challenge of paddling your own raft. You go through the rapids of the waters and the raft’s direction lies in your own hands. Apart from being tagged as a recreational activity, it’s also considered an extreme sport. It rose to popularity when it was included in the Olympic Games in the 1970s. Since then, many have included this activity in their bucket list.

If you’re planning to go on a rafting adventure with family or friends, here are the best rivers you can go rafting:

Colorado River

When the rapids get slow, you could feast your eyes with the beautiful scenario of the Grand Canyon. The Colorado River is known for its dramatic canyons and white river cascades.

There are four rafting sections and the river’s rapids are graded up to IV Class. Rafters are in awe of the history engraved beautifully on the steep walls of the Grand Canyon.

Rafting here would be an alternate between floating downstream or plunging into massive rapids.

Zambezi River

Rafting in the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls is what you could call an extreme experience. Aside from the unpredictable drops, there are difficult rapids, massive holes (as it approaches the Batoka Gorge), and the chance encounter with crocodiles and hippopotamus. Zambezi River is 2,574 kilometers long and its rapids are graded Class IV. This is surely one rafting experience that could take your breath away!

Pacuare River

The 67 miles long, Pacuare River of Costa Rica is enveloped in a lush tropical rainforest. It has three sections with rapid classes of III to IV. Besides the rafting experience, you would get to see many monkeys, exotic birds, jaguars, and ocelots native to the Carribean island.

Futaleufu River

The 246 kilometers long Futaleufu River flows from the glacier lakes of the Andes Mountains. The water is calm in most parts of the rive, which makes it the ideal choice for beginners. Experienced rafters enjoy the long stretches of rough currents and Class IV unexpected drops.

Salmon River’s Middle Fork

One of North America’s iconic whitewater rafting experiences can be experienced at the Middle Fork River. A tributary of Idaho’s Salmon Waterway, the river offers you a 105-mile journey, uncountable rapids and drops, and 3000 feet of elevation.

Paddling your way through its rugged landscape and forests would give you the opportunity to see moose and bears along its shores. This is one white water rafting experience that you would remember for years to come!

 Tuolumne River

Rafting at the 27 miles Tuolumne River is a blend of a wilderness experience with the thrilling challenges on its rapid classes ranging from IV up to V.  Prepare yourself for a swift ride through Clavey Falls showcasing a series of three staircase drops. After that, you would get to experience calmer waters where you can catch your breath after the thrilling ride, and bask in nature’s beauty.

White Nile River

White Nile River has both wild and mild stretches. This river flows from the vast Lake Victoria. Paddle your raft into untouched woodlands or experience the Class V shaky rapids. Flipping Rafts, racing over waterfalls, or bumping into huge rocks are the usual scenario when you are paddling across the White Nile. This river is 3,700 kilometers in length, its name is derived from the river’s whitish-gray color from the light gray sediments the river transport from its bed load.

Ganges River

The Ganges River is considered to be sacred by the Indians. Originating in the Western Himalayas, it is known to be one of the best white water rafting destinations in Asia. When the currents are calm, rafters can take a swim in the holy river and be mesmerized with the Hindu temples that grace the sights near the shores. The Ganges River has rapids graded Class IV up to V with a river length of 2,525 kilometers.

The Chattooga River

The Chattooga River’s forests are home to numerous plant and wildlife and this is where you could find the rare white wildflower (Oconee Bell) that only blooms during springtime.

Now that you have a view on whitewater rafting destinations; what are you waiting for? It does not matter whether you are a rookie or an experienced rafter, there would always be a perfect destination for you. If you are an adventurer ready to rock on, put on your gear, grab your paddle, and get set go!