Add some adrenaline and splash to your summer plans with an action-packed whitewater rafting trip. Find out more about this sport and check out some of these rafting trips that are sure to add some excitement to your summer.
Whitewater Rafting - What Is It?
Grab a wetsuit and a paddle, and fly down a raging river valley in an inflatable boat. Sound like a blast? Of course it does. Whitewater rafting trips are led by a qualified guide who leads groups of two to 12 people down a river packed with rapids, waves and steep drops. It's an adrenaline rush that can last a few hours or several days, depending on the length of trip you'd like to take. Although an expert guide controls the boat, passengers help paddle the boat down the river. Whitewater rafting is a fun way to experience the outdoors and have a blast.
Take A Trip Here are some whitewater rafting trips that are suitable for most kids and families:
- Hell's Canyon - Don't be scared off by the name! Hell's Canyon is North America's deepest river gorge and is located on the Snake River along the border of Oregon and Idaho. A rafting trip through this spectacular gorge is filled with high-level rapids, American Indian rock art sites and tons of wildlife - including bears, big horn sheep and golden eagles. Trips along the Snake River are fine for kids aged seven and up.
- Brown's Canyon, Arkansas River - A rafting trip through Brown's Canyon on the Arkansas River, in Colorado, includes dozens of exciting rapids with names like Pin Ball, Zoom Flume and Big Drop. This journey also features plenty of wildlife and a look at the world's highest suspension bridge.
- Kennebec River, Maine - The Kennebec River in Maine has some of the best whitewater rapids in the Eastern United States. The Kennebec is packed with roller coaster waves but is still a great river for beginner to intermediate rafters. Trips range from one to five days and all rafters must be eight years or older.
- South Fork American River, California - A bumpy wet ride through the churning rapids of the South Fork American River is one of the most popular whitewater rafting rides in the Western United States. The river rumbles through the California foot hills and bombs through rapids such as Satan's Cesspool and Meat Grinder.
Whitewater Rafting - Did U Know?
- Rapids on a river are measured between 1 and 6. Class 1 rapids are the easiest while Class 6 rapids are the most dangerous and are attempted by only the most experienced rafters in the world.
- Rafting season on most rivers in North America runs from March to October.
- You will most likely get soaked on a whitewater rafting trip, so be sure to bring a change of clothes.
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