Our 15 Favourite Rafting Runs in the USA

1.Half Day Whitewater Rafting Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,840 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90 a head Our pick

You’ll paddle an 8-mile stretch of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River near West Glacier, tackling Class II rapids such as Bone Crusher with a professional guide. Guides including Katie, Owen, Claire, and Aaron are praised for clear safety instruction and local stories. No rafting experience is needed, and equipment is provided.

“Bridget was a wonderful guide. She was experienced and provided lots of valuable information. I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to have a fun time rafting.”

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2.Upper Pigeon River Rafting Trip from Hartford

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,444 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $51 a head Cheapest seat

Take a guided 6.5-mile run on the Upper Pigeon River near Hartford, tackling about 70 Class I to IV rapids with certified guides such as Parker, Tye, Eve, and Bart. The 1-hour-45-minute trip suits first-timers and experienced rafters, with a minimum age of 8 and weight of 70 pounds.

“Wyatt was a great guide. Been on many rafting trips and the view and rapids great. Very knowledgeable and safe.”

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3.Half-Day Whitewater Rafting in Browns Canyon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 999 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.)

Paddle through Browns Canyon National Monument on a 2 to 3-hour rafting trip from Noah’s Ark in Buena Vista. You’ll tackle class III rapids such as Raft Ripper, Zoom Flume, and Pinball with a professional guide, helmet, life jacket, and transport included. Guide Seth has earned praise for calm, clear instruction.

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4.Whitewater Rafting in Jackson Hole : Family Standard Raft

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 965 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $120 a head

Join Dave Hansen White Water Scenic River Trips for an 8-mile Snake River run through Class II and III rapids, including Lunch Counter and Big Kahuna. The standard raft holds up to 16 people, with 10 paddle positions. Guides such as Bryce, Hailey, Zach, and Savannah are known for clear instruction and lively river commentary.

“Bryce was a very skilled river guide and also a lot of fun. We would love to ride down the snake with him again.”

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5.Durango Half Day Rafting Trip – Lower Animas River

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

Spend about four hours rafting Durango’s Lower Animas River with a guide such as Sam, Nina, Rob, or Anna. You’ll handle mild to Class III rapids, hear local stories, stop for granola bars and fruit, and return by shuttle. It’s a good first rafting trip for ages 4 and up, though water levels affect the excitement.

“Awesome experience. Highly recommend the rafting trip. Rode the lower Animas River. The staff was great at Mild and Wild.”

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6.Half Day Browns Canyon Rafting Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 903 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99 a head

Raft the Arkansas River through Browns Canyon National Monument on a three-hour trip from Buena Vista. Guides such as Emma, Justin, Sam, and Julia lead you through rapids including Toilet Bowl and Big Drop, with calm water for mountain views. The $99.95 price includes park fees, helmet, PFD, wetsuit, splash jacket, and river shoes.

“We really enjoyed our time on the Arkansas with Spencer! It was a fun experience that definitely added some joy to our Colorado vacation. Everyone at American Adventures was great and I was glad we booked with them—they provided everything we needed for a successful rafting adventure.”

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7.Browns Canyon Full Day Rafting Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 825 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $169 a head

Spend about six hours rafting the Arkansas River through Brown’s Canyon National Monument. Your guide teaches paddling before the rapids begin, then leads you through white water, calm stretches, swimming spots, optional cliff jumps, and a riverside lunch. Guides such as Jade and Kayla have earned strong praise for their instruction and good humor.

“Did the full day Browns Canyon rafting. Jade was a terrific guide. Our family of four includes two adventurous teenage boys. Our family had a blast! Thanks to the whole team.”

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8.Kauai: Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Expedition and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 736 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $237 a head

You’ll ride with Na Pali Riders from Waimea in a roughly 30-foot Zodiac, guided by captains such as Brendon, Mack, and Brandon. Expect dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, dolphins, winter whales, possible cave entry, and snorkeling when conditions are safe. This is a wet, rough, open-air ride with no onboard bathroom.

“AWESOME EXPERIENCE! Kevin and Kathy were friendly and informative! We felt safe! I would do it again! Beautiful scenery! Very fun!”

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9.Fisher Towers Half-Day Rafting Day Trip from Moab

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 684 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $97 a head

You’ll ride an oar-powered raft from Moab to the Fisher Towers section of the Colorado River, with red-rock views, mild rapids, wildlife, and local stories from guides such as Annie, Trevor, Lexi, and Carter. Inflatable kayaks are available by request. Choose the noon departure if you want the included buffet lunch.

“Michelle was fun! She pointed out some fun culture without going overboard. She was great when we were out swimming to not get too far away from slow swimmers. All the crew on our trip were fun!”

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10.Moab Afternoon Half Day Rafting Trip – Colorado River

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

Spend about four and a half hours rafting near Moab, with roughly two hours on the Colorado River. Mild class I and II rapids, Castle Valley, Fisher Towers, swimming, and guide-led stories make this a relaxed introduction to rafting. Guides such as Tom, Sam, Irving, and Devin add local detail and humor. No prior experience is needed.

“Excellent, experienced guides made both our trips (rafting and jeep tour) fun and informative. Both trips were tailored to our interests and activity level, we’d definitely book again!”

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11.Whale Watching Maui: 2-Hour Small Group Raft Tour from Lahaina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 661 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $80 a head

From Lahaina, you’ll spend about two hours aboard a custom inflatable raft in the Maui Nui whale sanctuary. Captains such as Will or Joe and naturalists including Renee or Brian may guide the trip. Expect 360-degree views, filtered water, reef-safe sunscreen, whale songs through a hydrophone, and a small group capped at 20.

“This was a fun and informative activity. It was nice that it was a small group. We learned a lot of cool info about whales and were able to quickly drive over to any that we saw to watch them up close. I would definitely recommend doing this.”

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12.Maui Whale-Watching Tour by Raft from Kihei

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 646 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $84 a head

Join Redline Rafting at Kihei Boat Ramp for a 90-minute whale watch with a captain and marine naturalist. The fast raft carries up to 22 people along Maui’s southern coast, with a hydrophone for whale songs, drinks under a sunshade, and frequent chances to spot dolphins and turtles.

“Great morning! Crew was very knowledgeable about “everything whales”. The captain kept us on the move to experience the most whale activity in our short hour and a half excursion. We loved it so much…. experienced, learned and saw ,close up, the majesticness of these awesome creatures. Truly, we could have spent all day with our guides and this tour. Highly recommend!!!!”

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13.Denali Rafting Canyon Wave

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 643 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $147 a head

Join New Wave Adventures for a 3.5-hour Canyon Wave trip on the Nenana River near Denali. Paddle through Class 3 and 4 rapids with guides such as Beau, Pat, Luke, or J Money, or ride as an oar boat passenger. Drysuits, helmets, river shoes, transport, and safety gear are included. Ages 12 and up.

“Totally Awesome!!! Great Guides who communicated every detail clearly. They were patient & made the rafting so fun for our family. Make the time so you can enjoy the adventure!”

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14.Glenwood Springs Half-Day Rafting Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 596 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $78 a head

This three-hour trip runs from 2000 Devereux Road to Shoshone Rapids and back. You’ll tackle Class III-IV rapids such as The Wall, Tombstone, and Superstition, then float through Glenwood Canyon with guide-led stories and possible hot-spring stops at lower water levels. Guides including Franco, Misael, Ed, and Nick have earned strong praise for safety and humor.

“Loved the rapids, wish there had been a little more of that but overall so much fun! Our guide Mallard was great.”

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

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

Meet Mild to Wild at 50 Animas View Dr. Guides such as Kaleb, Dylan, Stephen, Riley, and Trey lead a one-hour Lower Animas run with Class II rapids and one Class III rapid. Choose a mild family trip or a livelier ride, paddle with your guide, and return by shuttle after about 2.5 hours.

“Great guide. Easy to book and easy to work with. Went with children and we felt very safe and crew was informative.”

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