Splashing rapids, invigorating speeds, and the great outdoors—white water rafting is the ultimate adventure, especially during those warm summer months.
If you want to try this unforgettable activity yourself, guided tours are one of the best ways to get started. It’s often hard to discover the best places to go white water rafting near you. Never fear! In this guide, you’ll learn all about our favorite rivers for your next rafting adventure.
1. Yellowstone River
We might be a little biased, but the beautiful river in Yellowstone National Park is our favorite to raft down. Wild West Whitewater Rafting tours take you down the Yellowstone River, starting near the North Gate and continuing a course just outside the park. You can choose from a variety of options when you ride down this river.
Yellowstone National Park is typically open to the public from May to October. The park covers land in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, with the river running through Montana and Wyoming. While rafting—or camping, hiking, or horseback riding—you’ll see beautiful cottonwood trees, yellow monkeyflower blooms, and iconic American animals like bison and grizzly bears.
Quick Stats
- Location: Gardiner, Montana
- Best time of year to visit: Summer
- Look out for: Aspen trees
- Difficulty level: Rapids Class I–III
2. Snake River
The Snake River starts in Wyoming, traveling through Idaho and Oregon before entering Washington. It has some of the best white water rafting spots in Jackson Hole and Hell’s Canyon—a canyon gorge even deeper than the Grand Canyon.
While activities here are fun all year round, the rapids are rough in the early summer, thanks to melting snowpack. If you’re an experienced water adventurer, more dramatic currents can be fun! You may like the extra excitement, but our favorite time to raft down this river is in September when the weather cools down. In early fall, the water takes you on a scenic adventure with golden leaves and active animals like elk preparing for winter.
Quick Stats
- Location: Wyoming
- Best time of year to visit: September
- Look out for: Elk
- Difficulty level: Rapids Class II–IV
3. Colorado River
The Colorado River starts in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado but has the best whitewater opportunities in Arizona. It runs through the Grand Canyon, making it one of the most iconic rivers to travel on.
You can raft down the entire length of the canyon, covering 226 miles in just two weeks. If you’re not up for a long trip, many guides offer shorter routes for a day or weekend trip instead. The most thrilling time for rafting here is early summer when the sun is gentle, and the rapids are freshly invigorated from springtime snowmelt. You’ll enjoy the signature red rocks as you go and might even see some friendly native fish.
Quick Stats
- Location: Arizona
- Best time of year to visit: May
- Look out for: Red rock
- Difficulty level: Rapids Class II–IV
4. Arkansas River
The Arkansas River runs from Colorado to Arkansas, where it eventually feeds into the Mississippi River. The river is perfect for experienced rafters, with thrilling drops and scenic views in Browns Canyon National Monument. Don’t believe us? The headwaters in Colorado drop nearly 5,000 feet in the first few hundred miles!
Late May and early June offer some of the best rafting conditions for dramatic adventures. Later in the season, when the snowpack melt has slowed down, the river also offers plenty of gentler opportunities for whitewater rafting beginners.
Quick Stats
- Location: Colorado
- Best time of year to visit: June
- Look out for: Townsend daisies
- Difficulty level: Rapids Class III–IV
5. Kennebec River
The West is full of well-known canyons and rivers, but you can whitewater raft on the East side of the country, too. The Kennebec River runs through some of the most scenic corners of Maine. Unlike other East Coast rivers with limited seasons, this river runs strong all summer long. The waves splash high in this area, so get ready for a wet ride.
Traveling down this river is an excellent way to watch the native birds who gather around Moosehead Lake and the surrounding rivers. Waterfowl such as herons, ducks, and loons are plentiful—but we recommend keeping an eye out for the majestic bald eagles in the area.
Quick Stats
- Location: Maine
- Best time of year to visit: August
- Look out for: Bald eagles
- Difficulty level: Rapids Class III–IV
6. Salmon River
The Salmon River in Idaho is one of the best places for white water rafting in the country. The path through rural Idaho gives this river a unique appeal, with large sections of uninhabited wilderness. The surrounding countryside houses some of the oldest rocks in the area, with some dating to 1.5 billion years old.
The powerful river gives a lively touch to the serene atmosphere and is an excellent vantage point for viewing the area’s unique animals—including several federally recognized endangered species, such as the gray wolf and Canada lynx.
Quick Stats
- Location: Idaho
- Best time of year to visit: June and July
- Look out for: Gray wolf
- Difficulty level: Rapids Class III–IV
7. Grande Ronde River
Running through Oregon, the Grande Ronde River is surrounded by dense evergreen forests. The runs on this river are shorter and gentler than some of the other options on our list, but the beautiful terrain makes it just as fun to raft through.
Because the rapids aren’t quite as quick, this is an excellent choice for beginners or groups with children. If you’ve never tried whitewater rafting, this location is an excellent place to start.
Quick Stats
- Location: Oregon
- Best time of year to visit: Summer
- Look out for: Ponderosa pine trees
- Difficulty level: Rapids Class II
8. Chattooga River
Looking for a dramatic adventure? The Chattooga River in South Carolina is one of the longest free-flowing rivers in the Southeast and has Class V rapids in some areas. The water moves most quickly during the spring, just after the winter snow has started to melt.
If you’re looking for something milder, the river has gentler currents in the late summer and early fall, when you can see red maple and southern magnolia trees turning colors.
Quick Stats
- Location: South Carolina
- Best time of year to visit: Spring
- Look out for: Trillium flowers
- Difficulty level: Rapids Class III–V
9. Nenana River
This is the only river outside of the continental US on our list—but it’s here for good reason. The Nenana River in Alaska is one of the most beautiful rivers you can raft down. The snowcapped Alaska Range mountains are strong and picturesque, allowing for a view.
You can raft down this river anytime from late May to early September while the river and the temperatures are warm. You can try an easy route with Class I rapids or something more daring with class III or IV options.
Quick Stats
- Location: Alaska
- Best time of year to visit: Summer
- Look out for: Mount McKinley
- Difficulty level: Rapids Class I–IV
10. Rio Grande
When you think of Rivers in North America, the Rio Grande is likely one of the first to cross your mind. This river is the fourth longest in the United States, flowing from Colorado through New Mexico and down to the Gulf.
The river has a variety of rapids, from more mild Class II to more raucous class IV. Along any stretch of the river in New Mexico, you might see ancient petroglyphs, ruins, and black volcanic rock, which makes this a unique and intriguing route.
Quick Stats
- Location: New Mexico
- Best time of year to visit: June
- Look out for: Volcanic basalt rock
- Difficulty level: Rapids Class II–IV
Book an Adventure with Wild West Whitewater Rafting
Whether you’re looking at a trip to a national park or an activity for a river close to you, white water river rafting is a great way to have some fun and enjoy the great outdoors. You can combine it with a camping trip and beautiful hiking opportunities or focus fully on every aspect of the river’s allure.
Wild West Whitewater Rafting offers guided tours for groups of all ages and experience levels. Book a trip now! You can also contact us with any questions you have about our programs.