Morelo may be one of Mexico’s smaller states, but it is blessed with spectacular weather and river trip options that are an easy drive from Mexico City.

Amacuzac River Rafting Trips (Class I-IV): River trips on the Higher section of the Amacuzac river are a gentle class I, but the Lower Amacuzac kicks the excitement up a notch or two with exciting class III-IV whitewater rapids.

The state of Veracruz, on Mexico’s central Gulf coast, boasts more than 40 rivers, many of which have rafting trips offered by whitewater rafting companies.

Rio Actopan Rafting Trips (Class I-II): A mild stretch of river through a narrow limestone gorge, the Rio Actopan is naturally spring-fed and a wonderful introduction to rafting.

Rio Antigua Rafting Trips (Class II-IV): Offering three fabulous sections, from mild to wild, the Rio Antigua has something for everyone. Trips run year-round and the largest hawk migration in the world can be viewed in the fall and spring. The Rio Antigua provides a unique way to have an adventure with excellent wildlife viewing.

Rio Filo-Bobos Rafting Trips (Class III-IV): Natural springs and waterfalls line the river banks of the Rio Filo-Bobos and tropical birds are often spotted in the trees. Flowing through the Reserva Ecologica de Filo-Bobos, this intermediate run has plenty to see in between exciting rapids.

More About Rafting in Veracruz

Veracruz river trips wind past mango groves, dramatic limestone cliffs, and nature preserves, making them world-class destinations. Water is highest in October, but trips are available year round on rivers like the Rio Actopan, Rio Filo-Bobos, and the Rio Antigua. Whitewater trips in Veracruz range from class I to IV, and can be enjoyed by families with young children and adventurous thrill-seekers alike.

Thinking about joining a whitewater rafting trip in Mexico? A river rafting trip in Mexico is great way to see something of this complex and fascinating country beyond its famous beaches, nightlife hotspots, and all-inclusive resorts.

Veracruz Rafting Trips

Choose from the Rio Actopan, Rio Filo-Bobos, or Rio Antigua.

Morelo Rafting Trips

Go rafting on the Rio Amacuzac.

San Luis Potosi Rafting Trips

Go rafting on the Santa Maria River.

More About Rafting in Mexico

Mexico’s many states vary from arid desert regions to dense tropical forests and its rivers reflect this diversity. River rafters can experience anything from natural hot springs and limestone cliffs to lush tropical foliage alive with parrots and water birds. Mexican rafting trips vary in intensity from relaxing float trips to exciting class III and IV whitewater, offering an ample variety of itineraries in states like Veracruz, Morelo, and San Luis Potosi.

United States

Thinking about joining a whitewater rafting trip in Australia? A river trip is one of the best ways to explore vast wilderness reaches that are untouchable by foot or vehicle. Several rivers even require a helicopter ride to put-in. Although famous for its shoreline and reefs, Australia also boasts a World Heritage-listed ancient rain forest, volcanic mountain ranges, and unique bush land.

North Queensland Rafting Trips

Choose from the Barron River, Russell River, Tully River or Johnstone River.

Tasmania Rafting Trips

Choose from the Mersey River, Picton River or Franklin River.

New South Wales Rafting Trips

Choose from the Gwydir River, Nymboida River or Murray River.

Looking for more information about whitewater rafting? Trying to decide which river trip is best for you? This Whitewater Rafting Guide to River Trips provides highlights on more than thirty river trips in eighteen regions throughout the world.

Each page provides the information you need to choose the right whitewawter rafting trip for you and/or your group. You’ll find important information like level of difficulty, river location, rafting season, unique river characteristics as well as links to the professional whitewater rafting outfitters who provide trips on these rivers.

Location: Sacramento, California, near San Francisco and Lake Tahoe

The North Fork of the American River is conveniently located close to Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Lake Tahoe. The free-flowing North Fork American River is the most difficult of the three forks, rated advanced Class IV+. As it flows through a 2000′ deep canyon, lush foliage extends from high on the canyon ridges down to the whitewashed riverside cliffs, while streams from side canyons cascade into the incredibly clear North Fork American.

Level of Difficulty: Class IV / Intermediate

The entire length of the North Fork is 9.5 miles. The excitement begins immediately as you enter Chamberlain Falls Gorge. Slaughter’s Sluice, the first rapid, is a long series of pinball maneuvers that culminates at the infamous 7′ Chamberlain Falls! Zig-Zag, Achilles Heel, Bogus Thunder and Staircase rapids, located further downstream, require intricate moves to negotiate through slalom courses of giant boulders and steep drops.

Season: April – May

Completely dependent on melting snow from the Sierra Nevada, the North Fork is a spring river and usually runs during April and May. An above average snowpack will extend the season into June.

Location: Northern California just outside Yosemite National Park

The Merced River located CA Highway 140 halfway between Highway 99 and the El Portal Entrance into Yosemite Nation Park. The Merced meanders its’ way twenty-nine miles down to Bagby reservoir through the Wild and Scenic corridor. The river is divided into two different sections, the Upper Red Bud Section and the Lower Briceburg section, which includes Quarter Mile Rapid. Both sections offer fun, yet challenging Class IV whitewater.

Level of Difficulty: Class IV / Intermediate – Advanced

Merced river rafting is ideal for those looking for an intermediate-advanced rafting trip. The Merced River is a Class IV run, perfect for adventurous first timers or those looking for the next step up from Class III. The upper section runs from Red Bud Picnic Area, just 15 miles west of Yosemite, down to Briceburg bridge. Dropping at almost seventy feet per mile, the most notorious rapids on the Upper Merced are Nightmare Island, Stark Reality, Hawaii 5.0, and Ned’s Gulch. Highway 140 follows this section the entire way. The lower section runs from Briceburg bridge to McClure Reservoir and is usually rafted at flows under 1000 cfs. The river leaves the highway and enters an intimate canyon with steep hillsides. This section includes more technically demanding rapids such as Split Rock, Corner Pocket and four back-to-back Class IV rapids in the Quarter-Mile section. Just below Quarter-Mile rapid is a mandatory portage around the Class VI North Fork.

The Canyon: Grassy Hillsides with Oaks and Wildflowers

Designated as a Wild and Scenic river, the clear waters of the Merced flow through a Mid-Sierra canyon covered with a multitude of wild flowers such as Golden Poppies and Purple Lupine. The river flows though a sweeping canyon dotted with mighty oak and pine trees and beautiful grass-covered hillsides.

The Season: Spring from April – July

Without any upstream reservoirs, the Merced is a free flowing river and relies solely on melting snow. Merced river rafting trips are usually available from mid-April to mid-July, depending on the winter snowpack in the Sierra Nevada.

Location: Northern California about 45 minutes east of Sacramento

Located in the heart of Gold Country, the Middle Fork of the American River is just a few miles off Interstate 80 about halfway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.

Level of Difficulty: Class III-IV / Intermediate

The Middle Fork of the American River is chock full of whitewater action. There are eight solid Class IV rapids, numerous Class III’s, uncountable Class II’s and the infamous – Tunnel Chute. The rapids on the Middle Fork American are characterized with steep drops and large hydraulics. The action starts just 30 yards downstream from put-in with a Class III rapid called Panic Alley. The next 2 miles provide fun, easy rapids as a warm up for the first Class IV challenges of the day, Last Chance and Tunnel Chute. More Class IV whitewater continues further downstream with Lettuce Hole and Kanaka Falls. After an interim of calmer waters, the river gradient steepens providing four miles of intense rapids, beginning with an 8′ waterfall called Chunder (Class IV). Immediately following is a mandatory portage around the Class VI, unrunnable Ruck-A-Chucky Falls. The action doesn’t stop there as the river provides continuous Class IV rafting all the way to take-out, through Cleavage, Parallel Parking, Driver’s Ed and Catapult rapids.

The Canyon: A 2000′ Deep Wilderness Canyon

The Middle Fork is a remote wilderness canyon. The hillsides are steep and covered with oak and pine trees. In the spring, poppies and lupine add plenty of color to the landscape. The river banks are enclosed by willow and lots of plump, wild black berries.

Season: April – October

Middle Fork rafting trips are 17 miles in length and run seven days a week all season long due to upstream reservoir releases, with 1, 2 & 3-Day trips available.