The 15 Best National Park River Trips Worldwide

1.National Park Whitewater Rafting in New River Gorge WV

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 513 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $99 a head Our pick

Spend about six hours rafting the Lower New River through New River Gorge National Park. Guides such as Samuel, Crock, Richard, Nick, and Kristen lead the run, explain each rapid, and keep the mood relaxed. Your $99 fare includes gear, a professional guide, and lunch on 9 AM trips. Expect forests, cliffs, wildlife, and a few wet surprises.

“Kelly and Nick were awesome river guides! They made sure we had a great time and were very knowledgeable.”

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2.Denali Rafting Wilderness Wave

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 462 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $147 a head

Raft 11 miles of the Nenana River beside Denali National Park on a moderate three-hour trip. Expect class 2 and 3 rapids, drysuits, river shoes, mountain views, and guides such as Tupelo, Beau, Barbie, and Marty. Pickup is available from selected Denali-area hotels, and children age five and up can join.

“Great experience with Bryce. So much fun for the whole family. We had one young one (age 7-72 with us) but older kids wanted some fun splashes and rapids. He was able to adjust Wilderness Wave the trip to meet everyone’s desires. The teens guy soaked as they wished:) Great time, highly recommend. Also, good to note clothes underneath completely dry!”

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3.Half-Day Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 390 reviews · from $88 a head

Paddle the Flathead River near West Glacier with a professional guide such as Jackie, Luke, Todd, or Grace. You will begin on calm water, learn basic strokes, then tackle Class II to III rapids near John Stevens Canyon. The trip lasts about 2.5 hours, suits beginners, and includes all safety gear.

“It was super fun! And our guide Shaquille was great. It was really fun going through the rapids! And we played some games on the ride too, overall it was just really great! 5 stars!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

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4.Jasper National Park: 2-Hour Whitewater Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 310 reviews · 2 hours · from $80 a head

Join Jasper’s Whitewater Rafting Company for a two-hour Athabasca River trip suited to first-timers and families with children age five and up. You’ll ride an eight-person raft through grade 2 rapids, learn about the area from a licensed guide, and may swim in the glacial water. Wetsuits, boots, jackets, and transport from Jasper are included.

“It was so fun! Everything was explained really well and clear, Jordan was engaging, fun and made me feel very safe for my first time rafting. The whole experience was wonderful and they were all lovely, we had Jordan, Connor, Andy and Emily take us on our trip and they were all very fun and made the trip really entertaining (thank you to Andy for the photos!!) -also nice to see Connor living out his Canadian lifestyle (as a fellow Brit). Emily was also hilarious! All super friendly, would definitely book again!❤️”

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5.Jasper National Park Easy 2-Hour Rafting Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 291 reviews · 2 hours · from $65 a head

Meet at Jasper Train Station and ride to the Athabasca River in a 25-foot oar-driven raft. Your guide rows while you enjoy mountain views, wildlife-spotting, and a few playful splashes. Guides such as Joel, Mark, Luke, and Finn are known for adding humor and local stories. This is a relaxed family trip, not a white-water challenge.

“Has an amazing time, very well organised, the guild was very helpful, funny and new a lot about the local area, we all had a great time and would highly recommend.”

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6.Permet: Vjosa River National Park Guided Rafting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 291 reviews · 150 minutes - 3 hours · from $49 a head

Join GoRaft Vjosa Albania for a 150-minute to three-hour rafting trip through Vjosa River National Park. Guides such as Emil, Mikkel, Genny, and Orges lead small groups through gentle and faster rapids, with time for swimming, rock jumping, photos, snacks, and river stories. Beginners are welcome, but expect water conditions to shape the level of excitement.

“Mikkel was an excellent captain and tour guide, he made it very fun and engaging for everyone and also had a great sense of humour whilst doing so. Very personable and a pleasure to raft with!”

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7.West Glacier: Glacier National Park Scenic Raft Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 254 reviews · 2h 30m · from $90 a head

This 150-minute scenic raft trip carries you down the Middle Fork Flathead River beside Glacier National Park. You get a safety briefing, bus transport, splash gear, and a guide who explains local wildlife, plants, and history. Guides such as Cam, Wes, Minnow, and Ella have been praised for making the calm ride fun and informative.

“Owen, our guide was very informative and fun and we had gorgeous weather for the raft trip!!”

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8.Montana: Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 201 reviews · 2h 30m · from $90 a head

Raft eight miles of the Middle Fork Flathead River through John F. Stevens Canyon. You will learn paddle commands, run nine Class II and III rapids, hear about river ecology, and pass beneath historic Belton Bridge. Guides such as Maddie, Paige, and Eric keep the trip safe, lively, and welcoming for first-time rafters.

“Fantastic experience, Eva was very much in communication with the group and was very knowledgeable about the river and its history, which made for a more meaningful trip. I would definitely recommend this to anyone I. The Glacier area. Thank you!”

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9.Full Day Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Adventure – With Lunch!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 195 reviews · from $152 a head

Meet at 9:45 a.m. in West Glacier for a full day on the Middle Fork Flathead River. You’ll begin with a calm float along Glacier National Park, stop for a buffet picnic lunch, then tackle splashy Class II and III rapids with guides such as Anders, Emma, Reznor, and Sophia.

“Emma was wonderful !! We had a great time! It wasn’t crazy white water like I have done before. It was perfect!!! The river was beautiful. The lunch was great!! Exceeded my expectations. We had a great time”

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10.Jasper National Park Family Friendly Rafting Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 145 reviews · 2 hours · from $76 a head

Raft five miles down Jasper’s Athabasca River with a certified English-speaking guide, warm gear, and round-trip transport from downtown. You’ll practice paddle commands on calm water before meeting five splashy Class 2 rapids. Guides such as Tanner, Tatiana, Manson, and Kayne are known for a friendly, playful approach.

“Great morning out with a great team ! Guides were super friendly and informative. We felt safe and looked after. The rapids we’re just right for our 5 year old and we had a rally fun time !”

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11.Family Rafting in the New River Gorge National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 138 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $85 a head

Raft the Upper New River with an experienced guide from West Virginia Adventures. This five-hour trip suits ages 5 and up, with Class I and II rapids, time to swim and play, national park scenery, and lunch on morning departures. Guides such as Cassie, Heather, Allison, Trent, and Will are praised for their river skills and family-friendly approach.

“We were looking for a gentle beginner experience. This trip was perfect. Guides were friendly and knowledgeable. They took time to point out local history, wildlife, and taught us about the river. They genuinely seemed to enjoy guiding. Scenery was gorgeous, rapids were fun, but not overwhelming for kids or beginners. A great way to spend and afternoon on the river.”

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12.Rafting Tour in Vjosa Wild River National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $52 a head

Meet Vjosa Explorer in Përmet for a 3.5-hour rafting trip beneath Mount Nemërçka. Guides Irma and Gjeni lead you through turquoise channels, rapids, swimming spots, cliff jumps, and quiet beaches. Equipment, transport, water, and a seasonal local tasting are included, with groups limited to eight.

“Lovely people, top accompaniment. Irma and Gjeni did great! Definitely book through them! They're worth it. Beautiful nature, nice atmosphere and professional guidance!Auto-translated”

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13.Rafting to Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve from Haines

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $179 a head

Ride from Haines to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, then spend about 90 minutes on a quiet, non-whitewater river float. Guides such as Steve, Russ, and Joe share local stories while you watch for eagles, moose, otters, bears, and wolves. The small group tour includes binoculars, lunch, port pickup, and return transport.

“Steve was an excellent raft guide with good stories of the region. Aly our host driver was very knowledgeable with lots of information of the area, too. Good storytelling is always a bonus, thanks Steve and Aly!”

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14.Glacier National Park: Whitewater Rafting with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 63 reviews · 3h 30m · from $123 a head

Spend 3.5 hours rafting the clear Middle Fork Flathead River near West Glacier, with a safety briefing, mountain views, class II-III rapids, and a riverside barbecue. Guides such as Tim, Bridget, Brooke, and Owen have been praised for calm instruction, local knowledge, and good humor. The trip suits families and first-time rafters who meet the 50-pound minimum.

“Tampa was our guide and he did a wonderful job. The river was low and the wind blowing against us so there was a lot of paddling. But the rapids were still fun and the scenery was oh so beautiful. The crystal clear water was amazing and even in the deep spots you could see to the bottom. Afterwards, Tampa cooked us an unbelievable steak and the salad and potato was great as well”

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15.5-Hour Fraser River Rafting in Jasper National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 5 hours · from $108 a head

Travel from downtown Jasper to the Fraser River near Mount Robson for five hours of rafting, splashy rapids, and Class 3 white water. You will paddle about nine miles, portage around Rearguard Falls, then float past salmon habitat. Guides have included Luke, Josh, Austin, Dani, Adam, Emily, and Tye.

“Tiden på vandet var klart det vi gjorde det for. Så en længere tur ville forbedre oplevelsen.”

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