Location: San Luis Potosi, Mexico

The Santa Maria River is in the north-central Mexican state of San Luis Potosi. The river flows through the Huasteca Potosina region of San Luis Potosi, which is known for its plentiful waterfalls and natural springs. The region also grows coffee and other tropical edibles. One of the more popular tourist destinations in this area is the town of Xilita, which has a bustling market on Sundays and is within walking distance of Las Pozas, a series of man-made art and architectural structures amidst natural pools and waterfalls.

Level of Difficulty: Class III / Beginner

The rapids on the Santa Maria River are an exciting but accessible class III. This makes the river appropriate for first time rafters and families, as well as folks with previous experience.

Scenery: Tropical Canyon

Santa Maria whitewater rafting trips take visitors into a lush tropical environment alive with brightly colored parrots, green iguanas, and other exotic creatures. The water of the Santa Maria is one of its glories—glittering, fetchingly turquoise tinted, and warm.

Season: November – February

Multi-day whitewater rafting trips are available on the Santa Maria River in the winter months.

Location: Veracruz, Mexico

The Filo-Bobos River is located in the Gulf Coast state, Veracruz, which is known for having the tallest mountain in Mexico, Pico de Orizado (18,490 ft) and the beautiful Costa Esmeralda. Veracruz has many amazing rivers for whitewater rafting and outdoor adventures. The region also grows many tropical fruits and is famous for delicious seafood and banana leaf wrapped tamales.

Level of Difficulty: Class III-IV / Intermediate

Rio Filo-Bobos river rafting trips are rated a challenging class III-IV. Both adrenaline-loving novice rafters and experienced whitewater paddlers will enjoy the adventure this river has to offer

Scenery and History: Tropical Birds and El Cuajilote Ruins

Rio Filo-Bobos river trips runs through the government-protected and semi-tropical Reserva Ecologica de Filo-Bobos and offers nature lovers and bird-watchers ample opportunities to appreciate the natural resources of the Veracruz region. The river bank is dotted with natural springs and waterfalls; limestone cliffs provide a dramatic back drop for parts of Rio Filo-Bobos whitewater rafting trips. Another highlight of these river trips are the nearby ruins of El Cuajilote, which were only discovered in 1992. Scholars believe these ruins may have been built by the Nawa people, a culture that may be even more ancient than the Maya.

Season: November – February

Multi-day trips on the Rio Filo-Bobos are available during the winter months.

Location: Veracruz, Mexico

The Antigua River is located in the central Gulf Coast state of Veracruz which is one of Mexico’s most populous states. Despite it’s large population, Veracruz retains areas of impressive natural beauty. The region is home to Mexico’s tallest peak, the dormant volcano of Pico de Orizado (18,490 feet!), the beautiful Costa Esmeralda, and many incredible whitewater rivers. Veracruz grows many tropical fruits and is famous for delicious seafood and banana leaf wrapped tamales.

Level of Difficulty: Class II-IV / Beginner – Intermediate

Rio Antigua river rafting trips vary tremendously, so paddlers have many options from which to choose. Different sections of the river range from gentle class II riffles to big and challenging class IV whitewater. This natural variety means family vacationers and adventure travelers alike will find the perfect Rio Antigua river trip. The Rio Antigua can be split up into three distinct runs:

Puente Pescados Section:

The Puente Pescados run features demanding class IV whitewater. The continuous rapids and powerful water are the perfect challenge for experienced rafters or adrenaline-loving and active first-timers.

Jalcolmulco-Carrizal Section:

The Jalcomulco-Carrizal run gives paddlers a little more “down time” than the Puente Pescados section. The class III-IV rapids provide challenges and thrills but calm pools offer a breather and a chance to appreciate the lush tropical fruit plantations, and active wildlife living along the banks of the river.

Puente Nacional Section:

The class II-III Puente National run is the most accessible section of the Rio Antigua. Fun rapids and beautiful scenery make this a great family or fun day trip. The highlight of this section is the opportunity it gives travelers to see the largest hawk migration in the world. Every year in the fall and spring over 5 million birds fly over this section as they travel through the natural passage way between the mountains and the sea.

Scenery and Wildlife: Deep Canyon with Colorful Birds

Steep walls, coffee plantations, and vibrant bird populations characterize the Rio Antigua canyon. Whitewater rafting trips paddle past tropical fruit groves, small villages, and flocks of exotic birds like kingfishers, elegant herons, and flashy parrots. The water for this beautiful canyon is sourced high in the peaks of the Sierra Madre Mountain range.

Season: Year-round

Rafting trips on the Rio Antigua can be booked year ‘round but the river changes according to water level. At lower flows runs grow more technical, while at higher water flows the same rapids feature big pushy hydraulics and powerful waves. Rio Antigua river trips can be short and action-packed one-day trips, relaxing floats, or multi-day adventures.

Location: Veracruz, Mexico

The central Gulf Coast state of Veracruz is historically important because it was the landing place of Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortez in 1519. Today, Veracruz is one of Mexico’s most populous states but it retains areas of impressive natural beauty. The area is home to Mexico’s tallest peak, the dormant volcano of Pico de Orizado (18,490 feet!), the beautiful Costa Esmeralda, and many incredible whitewater rivers. Veracruz grows many tropical fruits and is famous for delicious seafood and banana leaf wrapped tamales.

Level of Difficulty: Class II-III / Beginner

Rio Actopan rafting trips are rated class II-III making them a good choice for families or travelers looking for a fun day out on the river.

Scenery: Narrow Limestone Canyon

The source of Rio Actopan is the Descabezadero, where natural springs feed the river from a striking fern-lined limestone amphitheatre created by Mother Nature. The narrow canyon takes rafters past mango plantations on clear beautiful water.

Season: June – October

River rafting is available on the Rio Actopan during the rainy months from June – October

Location: Morelo, Mexico

The Amacuzac River flows through Mexico’s Morelo state, the second smallest state in the Mexican Republic. Its capital city, Cuernavaca, is dubbed “The City of Eternal Spring” by poets and visitors because of its glorious weather and lush flower gardens. River rafting trips on the Amacuzac River are convenient to Mexico City, which is only a few hours away.

Level of Difficulty: Class III-IV / Beginner – Intermediate

One-day river trips on the Lower Amacuzac are jam-packed with exciting class III and class IV rapids, making this a true whitewater adventure. Athletic first-time rafters and experienced paddlers will enjoy the thrills on this heart-pounding run. The Higher Amacuzac is a gentle one-day float trip, so it is perfect for families with young children or groups that are looking for a mellow day on the river.

Scenery and Wildlife

The Amacuzac River canyon offers whitewater rafters ample glimpses of the region’s wildlife—otter, raccoons, eagles and hawks are all common.

Season: Year-round

River trips on the Amacuzac are offered all year.

Location: Yukon Mountains, Alaska

The headwaters of the Tatshenshini River begin high in the Yukon mountains. Like the Alsek, the river winds through a vast nature preserve that is home to abundant wildlife and unsurpassed scenery. The Tatshenshini is typically combined with the Alsek River for a multi-day wilderness expedition.

Level of Difficulty: Class II-III / Beginner

Tatshenshini River rafting trips consist primarily of gentle Class II riffles punctuated by fun but very accessible Class III rapids. There is plenty of time spent floating, giving participants ample opportunity to relax and take in the extraordinary scenery unfolding around them.

Scenery: Majestic Mountains and Glaciers

Wildflowers are abundant along stretches of the riverbank, while the skyline is dominated by majestic glaciers and snowy peaks. At Alsek Bay, where the Alsek and Tatshenshini rivers meet, rafters will often see (weather permitting) incredible views of the tallest peak in Glacier National Park, Mount Fairweather. The mighty Alsek Glacier thunders in the distance as huge chunks of ice fall off its seven-mile-long face.

Wildlife: Bears, Birds, Moose, & Wolves

This pristine wilderness is home to birds of prey—eagles and osprey thrive here—and herds of moose are common. Don’t be surprised if you come across tracks of bears and wolves on the banks of the river.

Season: June – September

An expedition on a Tatshenshini River trip is a true wilderness adventure and lasts over a week. Trips are available June through September.

Location: Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska

Alaska’s Six Mile Creek is a Class IV-V run that will challenge even experienced whitewater rafters. Fast water, steep drops, and technical rapids rush past the Six Mile’s rocky banks. Up for official “Wild and Scenic” status, the Six Mile’s lush vegetation and beautiful pools provide an outstanding backdrop for an exciting day of Alaska whitewater rafting. The river is easy to access, and only 1.5 hours from Anchorage by car.

Season: May – September

One-day trips are available on Six Mile Creek spring through fall.

Location: Georgia/ South Carolina border

Chattooga River rafting is one of the most popular river trips in the country. The river has something for everyone, ranging from beginner Class II to advanced Class IV+. This “Wild and Scenic River” also provides excellent scenery for most of its length. The Chattooga River is the longest undammed river in the southeast.

Level of Difficulty: Class II-IV+ / Beginner – Advanced

The Chattooga River is divided into three different sections, II, III & IV. Each section coincides with its level of difficulty.

Section II: Class II

The character of this classic South Carolina / Georgia river is remote with rafting available for all levels. Section II offers a mild float through fine wilderness and is also rich in Native American history. Section II drops approximately twelve feet per mile over the course of seven miles, allowing time for wildlife viewing or fishing.

Section III: Class III-IV

Section III is the most popular stretch of the Chattooga and is definitely more challenging. This section offers more than a dozen rapids in the Class III-IV (Intermediate – advanced) range. Some of the major rapids on this section are Dicks Creek Ledge, the Narrows, Second Ledge, Eye of the Needle and Painted Rock. Bull Sluice is the last and the most difficult rapid on section III rated Class IV+.

Section IV: Class IV

While section III is the most popular…Section IV is the most well known. This Section is the most difficult and steepest section of river currently being run commercially in the Southeast. In a one quarter-mile gorge, the river drops more than seventy-five feet through the famed Five Falls: Entrance, Corkscrew, Crack-In-the-Rock, Jawbone, and Sock-Em Dog.

Season: March through October

The Chattooga River whitewater rafting season generally runs from early Spring through late Fall.

Georgia Whitewater rafting trips are available on the Chattooga River. The Chattooga River flows out of North Carolina and creates the border between Georgia and South Carolina. The Chattooga is designated National Wild and Scenic for its rich Native American history, excellent scenery and numerous recreational opportunities.

Chattooga River Rafting Trips (Class II-IV+): Whitewater rafting trips on the Chattooga River range from self-guided to overnight wilderness adventures.

Location: Northwestern Montana, near Glacier National Park

North Fork Flathead River rafting trips offer a rare combination of relatively mild whitewater rafting in a rugged alpine environment. The North Fork of the Flathead is located in the quiet and rugged Northwestern corner of Glacier National Park.

Level of Difficulty: Class I-II / Beginner

The North Fork of the Flathead River is mostly Class I-II with a few Class III rapids. The majority of the Class III rapids are located within a 12 mile section between Big Creek and Glacier Rim, just above it’s confluence with the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. In this section, the river cuts through several mountain ridges. With a steeper gradient and narrower canyon several Class III rapids, such as Great Northern, Upper Fool Hen and Lower Fool Hen are created.

Majestic Scenery and Wildlife

There are plenty of mild sections which allow time for viewing wildlife such as eagle, moose, elk and grizzly bear as well as enjoying the spectacular scenery of the Park.

Season: Mid-May – August

River rafting trips on the North Fork of the Flathead are usually available from mid-May to August on the upper reaches of the river and all summer long on the lower. Glaciers from the nearby Livingston Range feed side streams that flow into the North Fork of the Flathead River. These side streams help to maintain the rivers flow throughout the season on the lower stretches. Peak river rafting flows generally occur between late-May and mid-June.