The 15 Rafting Trips with Lunch in the USA We Would Book Again

1.Full Day Whitewater Adventure Trip with Included Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 312 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $176 a head Our pick

Spend about six hours on Montana’s Middle Fork of the Flathead, floating past Glacier National Park, paddling through Class II and III rapids, and stopping for a riverside barbecue. Guides such as Kane, Matt, Tampa, Ava, and Brock have earned praise for clear instruction and good humor. Choose a bison burger, chicken sandwich, or veggie burger before departure.

“We were on the first excursion of the season and oh my goodness! The water was running fast and furious. Brock was our guide and he was the best. He was confident, experienced, skilled and fun. He let us know and reminded us what we needed to do to stay safe. Lunch was superb. It was an amazing ride, an experience that these two not especially fit oldsters (69&70) will ever forget.”

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2.Bighorn Sheep Canyon Raft and Zipline – Class III Rapids, 9 Zip Lines, & lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 228 reviews · 7 hours (approx.)

Spend about seven hours rafting Class III rapids in Bighorn Sheep Canyon, then ride nine zip lines across the Royal Gorge plateau. A guide leads both activities, transport between them is included, and the final zip line is a dual race. Bring suitable clothing, a moderate fitness level, and a sense of adventure.

“Very exciting experience and memorable. The crew was excellent and the weather was good too. I will recommend this to my friends as a way to remember Colorado.”

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3.Moab Full Day Rafting Trip with Lunch — Colorado River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 205 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $153 a head

Meet at 8:30 a.m. in Moab for a full day on the Colorado River. After a scenic shuttle to Castle Valley, you will float past Fisher Towers, enjoy Class II rapids, swim, play river games, and eat a deli-style lunch on a beach. No rafting experience is needed.

“Ashley was the guide on my raft. She was very friendly and shared lots of interesting information about the sights from the river. I did the full day version of this tour. For the small amount extra, it was very much worth it. Fo yourself a favor, and do the full day with picnic lunch. Drive to/from rafting was coordinated perfectly, and was comfortable.”

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4.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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5.Full Ocoee River Rafting Adventure With Catered Shore Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 164 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $110 a head

Spend about five hours rafting the Ocoee River from Dam No. 3 through more than 20 class III and IV rapids, including Double Suck and Hell’s Hole. Cherokee Rafting supplies the raft, guide, safety gear, transport, and a riverside lunch. Guides such as Ethan, Max, Ryan, Will, and Cherokee are known for keeping the trip upbeat and safety-focused.

“It was amazing!!!! Ryan was our guide and he was the BEST!!!! We had a blast! I would recommend Cherokee rafting to everyone and ask for Ryan!. You won’t be disappointed.”

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6.Full Ocoee River Rafting Adventure with a Riverside Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · from $110 a head

You’ll spend about five hours on the Ocoee River with Quest Expeditions, tackling rapids such as Mikey’s, Blue Hole, Bush Gardens, and the 1996 Olympic section. Guides including Chase, Angie, Chad, and Big John have earned strong praise for clear instruction and fun boat handling. Lunch includes sandwiches, shrimp, fruit, chips, cookies, tea, and lemonade.

“The trip was great. Tator was our instructor and she did a fantastic job. HUGE REASON WHY ITS 4 stars…. The lunch stop place is FULL OF YELLOW JACKETS. I’m not talking of one or two… they are everywhere especially in buckets with food there are hundreds of them. My husband is allergic and we had to go on a paved road to eat our lunch instead of enjoying the experience.”

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7.Telluride 1 Day Rafting Trip with Lunch – San Miguel River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · 5 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $233 a head

Meet at Caddis Flats Campground, gear up, and shuttle to the San Miguel River for a full morning and afternoon of paddling. You’ll handle steady Class II rapids, tackle Three Sisters and Saw Pit, and stop for a deli lunch. Guides such as Corbin, Joe, Ben, and Nina are known for clear instruction and calm river handling.

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8.Salt River Whitewater Rafting — Full Day with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $164 a head

Spend about six hours on the Upper Salt River, paddling 10 miles through a 2,000-foot canyon and 10 to 12 Class III rapids. Mild to Wild provides safety gear, wetsuits in March and April, a grilled steak lunch, and guides such as Annie, Jesse, Mike, and Charlie. Expect real paddling, cold water, and a rugged shuttle ride.

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9.From Gardiner: Yellowstone River Whitewater Rafting & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 20 reviews · 4h 30m · from $175 a head

From Gardiner, raft 18 miles of the Yellowstone River with an English-speaking guide and a small group of up to eight. Expect calm floating, class II and III rapids through Yankee Jim Canyon, time to swim, wildlife sightings, and a picnic lunch on a small island. Guides such as Riley, Tom, Lexi, and Jake have led recent trips.

“Not only was it a great ride but when we got lost and couldn’t make our planned trip Kate was so supportive and found a trip for us the same day! That trip was run by Lexi and she was so engaging and informative and lunch was fantastic! Couldn’t have been happier and the driver of the bus, (can’t remember his name) was an additional treat!”

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10.Cañon City: Family Float Rafting With Lunch, Photo & Wetsuit

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 9 reviews · from $109 a head Cheapest seat

You’ll float six miles of the Arkansas River near Cañon City with guides such as Mattie and Leland leading the way. Expect gentle rapids, wildlife, river stories, provided wetsuits and boots, a BBQ meal, and up to 20 downloadable photos. It’s a good first rafting trip for families, but not for non-swimmers or children under 2.

“Mattie was a great guide and was great with the kids. We felt safe and had a relaxing ride down the river. We would have liked a little more "white water" action but we will do that the next time. We saw some beautiful cranes along the river and one in flight. That was special! Some cows were wading at one spot and we got a chance to do a little swimming in a shallow pool. Thanks, we will be back the next time we come to Colorado!”

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11.Cañon City: Royal Gorge Rafting with Wetsuit, Lunch & Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 7 reviews · 4 hours · from $157 a head

Join Raft Masters in Cañon City for 2.25 hours on the Arkansas River, including Sunshine Falls, Sledge Hammer, and Boat Eater. Your guide handles the safety briefing and paddle instruction, while the package includes river transport, life jacket, helmet, wetsuit, river boots, splash jacket, BBQ lunch, and one digital photo.

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12.Cañon City: Bighorn Rafting With Lunch, Wetsuit and Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 4 hours · from $146 a head

Raft Masters takes you nine miles down the Arkansas River near Cañon City, with a safety briefing, wetsuit, river shoes, splash jacket, lunch, and a digital rapid photo included. Expect a 25-minute bus ride, about 2.25 hours on the water, and rapids such as Five Points, Spike Buck, and Cowgirl Up. Guide Emma has earned praise for her calm, capable work.

“It was very well organized and our guide was awesome!”

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13.Gardiner: Full Day Raft Trip on the Yellowstone River+Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 5 hours · from $165 a head

Meet in Gardiner for an 18-mile Yellowstone River rafting trip with trained guides, free wetsuits, lunch from a local cafe, and a ride through Class I to III rapids, Paradise Valley, and Yankee Jim Canyon. Guide Riley has earned praise for clear safety instruction and a lively manner. The trip lasts about five to six hours.

“This was a must trip make sure you get to do it!”

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14.Chattooga: Chattooga River Rafting with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 5h 30m · from $163 a head

Join Nantahala Outdoor Center for a 330-minute Chattooga River rafting trip through Section IV. You’ll paddle technical rapids with a trained guide, stop to swim, eat lunch beside the river, and walk to Long Creek Falls. Guide Katy received specific praise for making the trip memorable.

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15.Durango 3/4 Day Rafting Trip with Lunch – Lower Animas River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $162 a head

Spend about four hours rafting the full Lower Animas town stretch, from Durango into the countryside beyond town. Class II rapids provide easy splashes, while one Class III rapid adds a wet jolt. Your guide handles safety and river skills, with Noah singled out for his fun approach. Lunch, gear, and shuttles are included.

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