14 River Rafting in the USA Worth Booking

1.Upper Pigeon River Rafting Trip from Hartford

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,444 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $51Our pick

Set out from Hartford for a 6.5-mile Upper Pigeon River run with about 70 Class I to IV rapids. A certified guide handles the raft while you paddle, splash, and ride bigger waves. Ages 8 and up can join, with helmets, life jackets, and gear supplied.

“Awesome time! Sam our guide gave us an experience to remember. So much fun!! Good combination of rapids and relaxing. There is an option to have an extreme experience where you try to stay on the raft but the whilst one was just as fun! Must do while in Tennessee!”

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2.Durango Half Day Rafting Trip – Lower Animas River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 942 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $107

Paddle the Lower Animas River for about four hours with Mild to Wild, passing Train Bridge Rapid, Baby Smelter, and Class III Smelter. Guides such as Sam, Nina, Rob, and Anna combine clear instruction with local stories. The trip suits beginners and children age 4 and up.

“This was so much fun! Sam was our Rafting guide and really made our day relaxing and exciting all at the same time. the day of the event was organized and easily explained. I will definitly do this again.”

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3.Moab Afternoon Half Day Rafting Trip – Colorado River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 678 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $109

Meet at 1:30 pm in Moab for a 4.5-hour Colorado River outing through Castle Valley, past Fisher Towers and red-rock canyons. Your guide handles the raft and shares geology, wildlife, and local stories while you paddle gentle class I and II rapids. Equipment and round-trip transport are included.

“Very great experience, friendly and professional staff, very beautiful view from the river, thank you very much Will get back 🤗”

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4.Durango 1/4 Day Rafting Trip – Lower Animas River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 583 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Spend about 2.5 hours rafting the Lower Animas River from Durango, with one hour on the water, Class II rapids, and one Class III rush. Guides such as Kaleb, Dylan, Stephen, Riley, and Trey have led memorable trips, while families can choose a mild pace or a wetter ride.

“Our rafting trip was so fun!! Beautiful river, knowledgeable and fun guide. We loved it and cannot wait to join this company on The Salt River!”

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5.White Water Rafting Experience on the Upper Pigeon River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 580 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet Big Creek Expeditions in Hartford for a guided Upper Pigeon River trip through the Smokies. You get a helmet, life jacket, paddle, safety instruction, and a short shuttle to the launch point before tackling rapids such as Snapdragon and Powerhouse. Guides including Miranda, Shane, and Justin are praised for making the ride both safe and lively.

“Kayla was amazing she definitely made the experience even better! We had an absolute blast and will definitely be recommending you guys to anyone who asks and even those who don’t!!!!”

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6.2 Hour Rafting on the Yellowstone River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 549 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $95

From Gardiner, paddle an 8-mile stretch of the Yellowstone River with a certified guide such as Spencer, Morgan, Jack, or Jess. Expect Class II and III rapids, calmer water for swimming, Yellowstone scenery, supplied wetsuits and water shoes, and a family-friendly pace.

“Considering i am 71 and a little nervous, i loved it. It was physical but loved it especially going for a swim. Added bonus floating by Elks cooling off in the river. Brandon was quite the comedian but definitely knew what he was doing”

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7.Moab Morning Half Day Rafting Trip – Colorado River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 522 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $109

Meet at Mild to Wild’s Moab office at 8:30 a.m. for a half-day float through Castle Valley. Guides such as Devon, Claudia, Irving, and Ben share local stories while you pass Fisher Towers, spot birds, swim if conditions allow, and handle a few mild rapids.

“We enjoyed the river, Devon was a great guide. Very knowledgeable about the river and Moab. I would highly recommend.”

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8.National Park Whitewater Rafting in New River Gorge WV

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 513 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $99

Spend about six hours rafting the Lower New River through New River Gorge National Park. Your professional guide leads Class III and IV rapids, with lunch on 9 AM trips. Guides such as Samuel, Crock, Eli, and Nick are praised for clear safety calls and lively river stories.

“First time rafting and had a blast! Glenn was our guide and was amazing! Well guided, lot of fun, and flexible!”

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9.Ocoee River Middle Whitewater Rafting Trip (Most Popular Tour)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 483 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $48Best value

You’ll raft five miles of the Middle Ocoee River through Cherokee National Forest, tackling 17 major Class III and IV rapids after a safety briefing and practice session. Guides such as Heidi, Sydney, Mike, and Jake bring humor and clear coaching. The trip suits beginners age 12 and up.

“Ryan our river guide was awesome. Whitewater river rafting is great fun an awesome adventure. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes a thrill ride!!!”

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10.Colorado River Guided Rafting Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 478 reviews · 4 hours · from $97

Join NAVTEC Expeditions for a four-hour Colorado River float from Moab. Your English-speaking guide handles the boat, explains the geology and local stories, and navigates Class 1 and 2 rapids near Fisher Towers and Professor Valley. Choose the noon departure for a buffet lunch.

“We enjoyed the trip very much. The guide made it fun and the scenery was beautiful.”

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11.Montana Whitewater Half Day Raft Trip – Yellowstone River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 375 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $92

Join Montana Whitewater in Gardiner for a roughly three-hour Yellowstone River rafting trip. Expect rolling Class II and III rapids, an eight-mile route, cold water, free wetsuits and safety gear, and guides such as Emily, Elijah, Jordan, and Josie leading the way.

“My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our rafting adventure. Although the entire team was friendly and professional, our guide, Ingram was over-the-top. His sense of humor and friendliness made for a truly memorable experience. We highly recommend Montana Whitewater for a great rafting adventure!”

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12.Family Friendly Gallatin River Whitewater Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 316 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $150

Paddle the Gallatin River for about three hours with a guide and a maximum of 10 people. Expect mountain views, forest, wildlife, and continuous Class I and II whitewater. Wetsuits, booties, splash tops, helmets, and paddles are supplied.

“Our guide was incredibly knowledgable of the area and the rapids, and made the experience really wonderful for us as first timers!”

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13.Whitewater Rafting on the Colorado River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 294 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $134

Paddle Moab takes you down the Colorado River in a six-person raft with a licensed guide, gentle rapids, red-rock views, and a riverside lunch. Guides such as Leonard, Hunter, Santo, and Tiara add local stories and calm instruction. Bring a bottle, sun protection, and shoes that can get wet.

“Wonderful landscape, very nice guide who knows a lot of things. Great adventure, i highly recommend doing this tour.”

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14.Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour and River Raft or Emerald Cave Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 241 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $699

Spend about 11 hours combining a 90-minute helicopter flight over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Black Canyon, and the Grand Canyon West Rim with either a motorized Colorado River float or a four-mile kayak trip to Emerald Cave. Hotel transfers are included, but the kayak option does not include lunch.

“It was awesome Staff great Pilots great Bus driver exceptional Me and my family had fun and look. Look forward to coming there again thank you.”

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