Location: Yakima, Washington

The Tieton drains a relatively small watershed on the east slope of the Cascades south of Mt. Rainier. Its upper reaches are flooded by reservoirs, and below Tieton Dam the river flows eastward for only 20 miles before joining the Naches River west of Yakima. The high Cascade crest to the west produces a strong rain shadow that accounts for the Tieton’s generally sunny summer weather.

Level of Difficulty: Class III-IV / Intermediate

The Tieton River offers non-stop whitewater action with challenging rapids such as Wild Rose, High Noon, and the unforgettable Waffle Wall. Although no individual rapid it rated Class V, The Tieton River is one of the steepest raftable rivers in Washington, dropping nearly 600 feet from put-in to take-out.

Scenery: Evergreen Forest

Most of the riverside land is National Forest; as a result the Tieton offers more undeveloped forest scenery than other popular east-slope river. The scenic canyon is lightly forested near the beginning of the run and becomes drier and brushier toward the end.

Season: September

For most of the year, Washington whitewater rafting enthusiasts neglect the Tieton River. But come September, a time when most other Washington rivers have been reduced to a trickle, the Bureau of Reclamation releases irrigation water stored behind Tieton Dam.

Location: Northwestern Washington, near Seattle

The Skagit River is western Washington’s largest river after the Columbia. Its headwaters lie across the border in southern British Columbia, high in the Canadian Cascades where some of the world’s deepest snowpacks accumulate. From here the river runs south into Washington, gathering more snowmelt from lofty granite peaks in North Cascades National Park. Then the Skagit River turns southwest through the Cascade foothills and finally due west to Puget Sound.

For the moment the Skagit River still runs free from the last dam near Newhalem to Puget Sound. Though all 90 miles are boatable, the first 25 down to the Sauk River confluence hold the most interest for whitewater rafting. These back-to-back runs offer a variety of whitewater rafting and scenery, and they can be combined for longer trips.

Upper Skagit River Rafting Trips: Class II-III / Beginner

Upper Skagit River rafting trips course swiftly down a narrow, heavily forested glacial valley that provides frequent views of nearby snow-capped summits. The river is sparkling clear, and on sunny days the water is an intense and beautiful blue-green. This stretch holds the Skagit’s only whitewater, making this section quite popular. Most of the action is limited to a short Class II – III gauntlet called the S-Curves, where the river cuts a narrow passage through granite bedrock. This section of the Skagit River travels through North Cascade National Park, home to some of America’s most beautiful scenery.

Lower Skagit River Rafting Trips: Class I / Beginner Float Trip

The Lower section of the Skagit River is considered a mellow float trip. Just below the upper section, the river settles into a swift but gentle glide down a gradually widening flood plain. Soon the river begins meandering in shifting channels over deep deposits of gravel and cobble, the legacy of an ice-age glacier that once filled the valley and extended all the way to Puget Sound. This stretch of the lower Skagit enjoys many views of snowy peaks. Below Cascade Bridge the Skagit valley widens and the channel becomes broader, splitting occasionally around large islands. The Lower section enjoys a little more solitude: the river occasionally winds away from the highway, and dense vegetation provides some privacy.

Scenery and Wildlife: Migrating Salmon and Bald Eagles

Each season on the Skagit River offers unique and beautiful scenery. While the summer months are the most popular for rafting, in autumn the riverside foliage turns to blazing yellow and orange and the migrating salmon leap from the waters. Each winter hundreds of the great birds come south from Alaska and Canada, drawn to the Skagit by throngs of migrating salmon and steelhead. Rafters can watch the migration with views of majestic snow capped peaks in the background. Although numerous birds migrate to the area, the Skagit River is perhaps best known for its annual gathering of bald eagles.

Season: Year-round

Dam-controlled, the Skagit River runs year-round. The spring provides early-season rafting without the intimidating high water from spring run-off that most other rivers experience.

Location: Husum, WA. 1 Hour East of Portland, OR.

The White Salmon River is fed by the glaciers on Mt. Adams and underground springs. It flows south through the town of Husum, WA, and into the Columbia River Gorge. While driving to put-in on a clear day, incredible views of both Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams can be seen from the highway. The area is famous for its spectacular scenery, abundance of huckleberries, dense forests, and Bigfoot sightings.

Level of Difficulty: Class IV (one optional V)/ Intermediate

White Salmon River Rafting Trips start out in the middle of one of the most challenging rapid, so your 8-mile adventure will most definitely begin with a blast of adrenaline. Unique, pool and drop rapids await, such as Corkscrew Falls, Waterspout, and Stairstep Falls. The rapids are a nice combination of big splashes and technical maneuvering. When conditions are safe, White Salmon Rafting trips end the excitement with the Class V Husum Falls. Crowds gather on the bridge above to watch brave rafters run the optional 10 foot waterfall.

Scenery: Intimate, narrow canyon, lush vegetation, turquoise glacial water

The abundant vegetation in the White Salmon River canyon is colored with every shade of green and seems to come in all shapes and sizes. Beautiful conifers rise up overhead and vines crawl down the bassalt canyon walls. The canyon is narrow, but the cliffs are not too high, so there is still a feeling of openness on this beautiful, intimate river.

Season: April – September

White Salmon River Rafting is available during the spring and summer.

Washington State is filled with whitewater rafting rivers ranging from easy / beginner Class I float trips to intermediate / advanced Class V adventures. The most popular rivers of the Pacific Northwest are the Skagit, Wenatchee, Tieton, & the White Salmon. All of these of rivers are within a few hours of Seattle.

Methow River Rafting Trips (Class II-IV):
Building gradually from class II to class III and IV rapids, the Methow River is a great river for beginners or anyone who enjoys whitewater rafting. The rapids on the Methow are fun and exciting, and the scenery is equally as fantastic. The Methow River is in eastern Washington, about 4 hours from Seattle.

Tieton River Rafting Trips (Class III-IV):
The Tieton (TIE-uh-tahn) offers reliable flows, good weather, enjoyable scenery, easy access, and exciting intermediate Class III – IV whitewater. The rapids are steep, swift and fairly continuous. Best time of year is September – Early October.

Wenatchee River Rafting Trips (Class III+):
Wenatchee River rafting is available with 1/2, 1 & 2 day trip options. This beginner – intermediate / Class III+ run is a favorite of novices and veterans alike. The Wenatchee River is conveniently located about 2.5 hours from Seattle off of US Highway 2.

White Salmon River Rafting Trips (Class IV-V):
Less than an hour from Portland, OR, the White Salmon offers continuous whitewater in an intimate, beautiful canyon. When conditions allow, rafters can opt to run the 10-foot Husum Falls.

West Virginia offers a wide selection of whitewater rafting trips, ranging from family adventures on the Upper New River, to the world-class challenges of the Upper Gauley. Both rivers carve deep canyons through scenic and historically fascinating regions.

New River Rafting Trips (Class III-IV):
With whitewater ranging from Class I to Class IV+, the New River has trips appropriate for a wide range of rafting enthusiasts. Its considerable volume of water results in a lengthy season, from early spring until late fall.

Gauley River Rafting Trips (Class IV-V):
This intense stretch of river makes for one of the world’s top whitewater experiences. The annual fall water release of the Summersville Dam creates high flows up to 2800 cfs.

More About Rafting in West Virginia

West Virginia whitewater rafting trips are suitable for a variety of ages and abilities. 2,000 miles of rivers and streams flowing out of the lush Appalachian Mountains create the ultimate playground for river runners. The two most popular whitewater rafting rivers are the New and the Gauley. Together, the New River Gorge and the Gauley River National Recreation Area make up the largest federally protected watershed in the Eastern United States.

Location: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Bird watchers, nature lovers, and whitewater rafters will all find something to love on a Snake River rafting trip in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Snake River valley is framed by the majestic Grand Tetons and Grand Teton National Park is very easily accessible. The popular town of Jackson is nearby.

Level of Difficulty: Class III / Beginner

Jackson Hole river rafting trips range from 8 to 21 miles. Rafters can choose from gentle float trips, whitewater adventures, or combinations of the two. Those interested in relaxation and the abundant beauty of the valley will enjoy float trips on the Snake River’s gentle Class I-II section. Jackson Hole river rafting can be the perfect family vacation as the gentle flows make it suitable for younger children. More adventurous whitewater rafters will also be thrilled by Jackson Hole river rafting. The eight mile long Class III section of the Snake River provides excitement with rapids like Lunch Counter and Big Kahuna.

Scenery: Dense Forest with the Grand Teton Mountains in the Distance

The thickly forested canyon and steep rocky walls are the perfect backdrop to an exciting Snake River rafting adventure.

Wildlife:

Rafters will enjoy the beautiful Snake River and also see Jackson Hole’s rich wildlife—waterfowl, moose, and elk. The valley is proud to be one of the nation’s most successful breeding grounds for the Bald Eagle and sightings are frequent.

Season: May – September

Jackson Hole whitewater rafting trips typically run from late spring through September.

Location: Southwestern Pennsylvania

The Cheat River flows through a remote, narrow canyon. What truly makes this river a whitewater paradise is the multitude of hard rapids in an extremely remote environment. The Cheat River is generally less crowded than neighboring rivers, providing solitude. There is a trail that leads out of the canyon but at that point you are still a long way from civilization.

Level of Difficulty: Class IV-V / Advanced

Cheat River rafting offers more than thirty rapids. Most of the rapids are technical drops and boulder slaloms with names like Decision, Big Nasty, Tear Drop, and Fossil Falls. One of the more difficult rivers on the East Coast, the Cheat River is for experienced rafters only.

Scenery: Waterfalls and Wildlife in a Remote Canyon

Look for some of the beautiful waterfalls flowing off the canyon walls along the way. Native trout, wild turkey, black bear, and white tail deer abound in much of the Cheat River Canyon.

Season: April – June

The free flowing Cheat River only runs during the spring melt, in April, May and June.

For people living in the Eastern United States, Pennsylvania whitewater rafting trips are available on the Youghiogheny River. This river is an easy drive from many of the larger metropolitan areas of the Eastern seaboard. Driving time from Washington DC is just over 3 hours.

Youghiogheny River Rafting Trips (Class III-IV):
Every summer, thousands of people enjoy the spectacular scenery, and exciting Class III and IV rapids of the Youghiogheny Gorge. Controlled water releases by the Army Corp of Engineers means great flows throughout the summer.

The 3 sections of the “Yough” provide something for everyone. The mile Middle Yough features superb scenery while paddling Class II rapids through Pennsylvania’s deepest gorge. The Class III Lower Yough is continuous whitewater challenging enough for the experts but not overwhelming for the beginners. Finally, the Upper Yough is an awesome, steep, boulder-strewn class V adventure.

More About Rafting in Pennsylvania

The most popular rivers in Pennsylvania are the 3 sections of the Youghiogheny. These rivers cut their way through some of the most rugged mountain terrain in Maryland and Pennsylvania providing amazing scenery and exciting whitewater.

Location: Southern Oregon, near Ashland

Rogue River rafting seems too good to be true: illustrious rapids, green gorges and golden hillsides, historical sites at every bend and arguably the best wildlife viewing of all the western rivers. It’s no wonder people began running this river way back in the 1920s-in wooden dories no less. Its their history, along with the Native Americans who first inhabited the land and a handful of settlers, hardy enough to carve out a living in the Rogue wilderness, whose stories make this river simply steeped in human lore. Novelist Zane Grey felt the draw of the area as well-he wrote many of his books in a cabin which still stands at the Rogue’s riverside.

Level of Difficulty: Class III / Intermediate

The Rogue River is the perfect river for families, with 34 miles of Class II and III rapids, long flat stretches for swimming, and a few more exciting rapids such as Mule Creek Canyon. No prior experience is necessary and paddlers can either sit in the raft and enjoy the scenery, participate in a paddle boat, or try out navigating the river on their own in an inflatable kayak.

The Canyon: Wild and Scenic

The Rogue River draws its water from the Cascade range near Crater Lake in southwest Oregon and travels nearly 200 miles west to meet the Pacific. Before it converges with the ocean, it flows through the Coast Range. Here the river has created famous rapids like Rainie Falls, Upper and Lower Black Bar Falls and Class IV Blossom Bar. The entire course of the Grave Creek stretch is lined with a walking trail just above the riverside on river right so hiking to side creeks and hidden swimming pools is easy and the views are inspiring. After the spring melt, the Rogue flows higher than it does in the summer months when the water is also unusually warm.

Spectacular Wildlife

The Rogue’s wildlife population is legendary as well, especially its notable black bear constituents. Rafters have been known to count on two hands the number of bear they spied during the course of their 34-mile trip from Grave Creek to Foster Bar. River otter, bald eagles and osprey are amazingly plentiful as well. Fishing on the Rogue is a reason all on its own to raft the Rogue River-its healthy population of steelhead and salmon is famous. In 1968, when the government wrote a list of eight rivers it wished to deem “Wild and Scenic” and protect forever from development, this Rogue River section was at the top of the list.

Season: May – October

The Rogue is a dam-controlled river with consistent flows all summer long. In the fall, the salmon and steelhead runs make for great fishing trips. In the summer, the water is warm and perfect for swimming.