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Our Top Picks for Best White Water Rafting in the United States 

Rafting in the Smokies is the Real Deal!

Planning a white water rafting trip in the United States can get your adrenaline pumping almost as much as the trip itself! There are many exciting rapids to consider across the U.S., especially in Tennessee. Narrowing down your options can be challenging, but we can help make the process easier. Take a look at our top picks for the best white water rafting experience in the United States. 

Key Takeaways:

  • Plan ahead and pay attention to waterway availability. Some bodies of water are subject to seasonality depending on geographic location.
  • Understand the white water classification system to ensure your skill level matches any waterway you use on your trip.

How to pick the best white water rafting destinations in the United States

Before you plan your white water rafting excursion, you’ll want to be well-informed about the different water classes. The best way to test the waters is by using the internationally accepted water classification system. We want you to have the best trip possible, so it’s essential to understand all of the white water rafting classifications before you go. It’s necessary to take these water class ratings seriously to have the best time on the river and choose the best white water rafting in the USA for you and your group. 

Top things to know about the water you’re getting into:

  • Class I – this class is relatively calm and best for all ages. You may see small waves and gentle ripples throughout your trip. This class would be enjoyable for river rafting trips with passengers of all experience levels. Class I is considered a relaxing and often scenic experience. It’s an excellent choice for lazy days on the river!
  • Class II – This class will offer you a relatively easy trip with small waves and clear channels, and some maneuverability skills will be required. Class II creates an adventure suitable for passengers of all skill levels. This is another great way to spend a day enjoying calmer rivers.
  • Class III – this class is a little more unpredictable. You may experience high waves and irregular wave patterns and require precise maneuverability experience. Class III rapids can be 4-5 feet tall and require an experienced group. Class III will get your heart pumping and is still suitable for younger rafters. You’re going to get wet while traveling on class III waters.
  • Class IV – this class is considered challenging. You can expect longer rapids, forceful waves, unpredictability, rocks, and advanced maneuverability is required. You need an experienced guide, and previous experience is also highly recommended.
  • Class V – this class is tough. You can expect extreme rapids and back-to-back waves if you take a river trip on class VI waters. The riverbed will have obstructions, fierce waters, and steeply graded terrain. Anyone attempting this class must have experience with class IV or better ratings and very experienced guides who are intimately familiar with the territory.
  • Class VI – this class is dangerous! No rafting attempts should be made on class VI bodies of water. You will encounter waterfalls and other brushes with death. Class VI waterways are not suitable for recreation of any kind. These waters are typically deemed not passable and recommended not to attempt. We want your trips to be memorable for good reasons, not dangerous ones. 

Our top picks for white water rafting destinations in the USA

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to a white water rafting excursion. It’s essential to do some research when it comes to climate, water difficulty, and availability. If you don’t consider all of these options, it could make or break your trip. Always check with a reputable rafting company to verify dam release schedules and anticipated water conditions before you book your trip.

  1. Upper Pigeon River – The Big Pigeon River is dam-controlled, with scheduled water releases from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The upper section of the river boasts 12 Class III and 3 Class IV thrilling white water rapids! From there, you can travel 5.5 miles of lively rapids with equally engaging nicknames such as Too Late, Vegamatic, Razor Blade, After Shave, and Lost Guide. The Upper Pigeon River has something for everyone. You’ll love the white water rafting experience and the beautiful scenery that Tennessee has to offer.
  2. Lower Pigeon River – Float down the lower section of the Big Pigeon River, which has calm class I and class II rapids. This gorgeous, laid-back white water rafting experience is perfect for families and beginners. It’s a great way to make the most of your trip to the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge areas. There will be plenty of opportunities for splashing and having a great time with dozens of rapids. Still, this white water rafting experience is also a relaxing treat at the same time. 
  3. Middle Fork of the Salmon – This Idaho destination boasts clear water, rejuvenating hot springs, and breathtaking gorges. Rafters will experience a descent of 3,000 feet through 100 miles of rapids (class III and IV). Experience otherworldly scenery on the Middle Fork of Salmon River during the course of this six-day trip. While you’re there, you can visit side creeks and canyons. You can also take a hike, go trout fishing, and learn about the history of the land.
  4. Gauley River West – The Gauley River is located in West Virginia with upper and lower rapids featuring various classes of rapids. Rafters have deemed this waterway as one of the top rivers! It has challenging rapids and great scenery. The Gauley River drops over 650 ft in 25 miles and features over 100 rapids. The Gauley River features a gorge that’s been a barrier and corridor for travel. Native Americans used this area for hunting and scavenging. Europeans inhabited it in the late 1700s. In 1861, the Gauley and Meadow rivers were the site of a Civil War battle.
  5. Rogue River – This white water river rafting adventure is considered a beginner trip and suitable for rafters of all ages. The water is gentle and rather anti-climatic; it’s perfect if you’re looking for a relaxing day on the river. You can raft, fish, swim, sightsee, and play along the Rogue River. The scenery is beautiful and best known for its wildlife attractions. You can expect class III rapids and one IV rapid. This river is also great for hiking and camping. During your adventures, you may even see bears, eagles, ospreys, otters, salmon, and deer! Rafting is open year-round.
  6. Colorado River (Grand Canyon) – This scenic trip is worth seeing. Enjoy the view as you travel through one of the most beautiful places. This is one of those life experiences that is hard to beat. If you go white water rafting through the Grand Canyon, you’ll surely experience waterfalls, winding trails, and ancient ruins. Your white water rafting trip will allow you to become intimately familiar with the Grand Canyon and Colorado River. These rapids are class IV to class V. Only professionals and experienced white water river rafters should travel a few sections of this river. 
  7. Ocoee River – This well-known white water adventure is for rafters of every skill level. You can choose from the upper, middle, or lower Ocoee. Each section varies in skill level and presents plenty of options! The upper Ocoee boasts five miles of white water that would be best for experienced paddlers. The middle Ocoee is a great choice, with five miles of class III-IV waters. The lower Ocoee is a relaxing and enjoyable choice for anyone featuring calm water for paddling and tubing. This 93-mile river is located in Eastern Tennessee and also Georgia. The Ocoee is considered a very predictable white water rafting choice. 
  8. Nolichucky River – The Nolichucky River is a 115-mile stretch of beauty and excitement. The white water trip goes through Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. Rafters will be enamored by forests and the Blue Ridge Mountains, including Mount Mitchell, which is the highest point in the eastern United States. Throughout your white water rafting experience, you’ll travel through miles of a beautiful scenic mountain gorge. The most intense part of this river is at the beginning, and the water calms down for a lovely scenic trip. Most of the waters are class III-IV.
  9. Hiwassee River – The Hiwassee River is a popular destination for white water rafting. This white water destination starts on the north slope of Rocky Mountain in northern Georgia, then flows into North Carolina and finally westward to Tennessee. The upper Hiwassee is the most sought-after section of the river featuring class I and II rapids. Sometimes rafters will experience class III waters, but this Tennessee Valley-controlled river is generally a calm and peaceful ride for all. If you love fishing, be sure to check out the middle section of the Hiwassee. Fishing is great on this part of the river – trout, bass, bluegill, and crappie await you there. Check water release schedules before your trip, as this waterway controls dam release.
  10. Snake River – Snake River (designated wild and scenic) is one of the major rivers in the PNW. It’s over 1,000 miles long and goes from western Wyoming to southern Idaho, Hells Canyon on the border of Oregon and Idaho, and then through Washington emptying into the Columbia River. Snake river is considered class II-III, but some class IV waves can pop up in the springtime during the more unpredictable weather seasons. If you’re lucky, you may even see some bighorn sheep, black bears, and mountain goats along your white water rafting excursion across the Snake River. This body of water is dam-controlled, and water stays warm even in the springtime, making it a great destination throughout the spring and summer months.

This list is just a brief overview of each location. Be sure to research and even check with locals to confirm that your trip will be everything you hope it will be. For insider information about booking a white water rafting trip in the United States, we recommend joining online groups and forums related to your travel destination. You may even work with a travel agent who can help you plan the perfect white water rafting trip! No matter where you end up, the United States, Tennessee in particular, has many amazing rafting rivers. If you decide to try one of the Tennessee white water rafting destinations featured here, remember the season goes from April to September, a very long season! Temperatures vary throughout the season, and there’s generally a perfect time to go for everyone! 

Now that you know our white water rafting top picks…

It’s time to schedule your trip! White water rafting is a great activity for sport or leisure worldwide. It’s an excellent way to bond with family, friends, or colleagues for a team-building activity while connecting with nature and practicing physical endurance at the same time. When scheduling your next white water rafting trip, book with us at Rafting In the Smokies for the ultimate Smoky Mountains rafting experience! The Big Pigeon River has consistently been rated as the most popular rafting river in the US. Everyone in your group will love to take in all the beauty the big Pigeon River and Smoky Mountains offer!