Insider’s Guide to River Rafting in the American West

Trusted Travel Expert

Wendy Will Advise You

In some cases, Wendy has several trip-planning specialists she recommends for a destination and would like to connect with you directly to determine who would best meet your needs. This is one of those cases. Please click on the CONTACT button (below) to find out from Wendy which travel expert is best for your specific trip goals and challenges.

Contact Wendy

Read Trip Reviews

HOW WE HELP YOU

• Tell us about the trip you want

  
  

  The more detail, the better we can help you.

  •Do you have an itinerary in mind? Where do you want to go, or are you looking for ideas?
  

  •Who are you traveling with? (If kids, what are their ages?)
  

  •What are your biggest concerns or things you want to avoid?
  

  •What’s your biggest goal for this trip? What would make it most memorable?

• Tell us your trip goals. IMPORTANT: Local inflation has soared in some countries, so check Wendy’s Pricing Tip: On mobile, scroll down to just above the photo. On desktop, look to the right.*

• Getting there and around

  
  

  Where are you flying from? Have you booked your airline travel? If so, tell us the dates and routing. If not, how long a flight are you comfortable with? Once you’re at your destination, how do you envision exploring it—e.g., rental car? public transit? private vehicle with English-speaking driver or guide/expediter with top connections and special access?

• Tell us your flight dates/route and local transportation preferences (if you know these already).*
• 
  

  Staying there

  
  

  Do you have a type of accommodations in mind (e.g., 4-star, 5-star, historic inn, state-of-the-art resort, family villa. private yacht, small expedition ship)? Is there a past hotel experience you’re seeking something similar to? If you have already booked accommodations, let us know.

• Tell us about the places you’ve stayed in that you’ve liked, and what you would like now.*
• Estimated Trip Start Date (Including the Year)*
• Estimated Trip Length (in Days)*
• Total Trip Budget (in U.S. dollars, excluding airfare):*
  
  How much do you want to spend for a WOW-caliber trip (incl. rooms, vehicles, excursions, meals, unique experiences, and the savviest drivers/guides/expediters to spare you headaches and wasted time)? Your answer will dictate the locations, trip dates, and experiences we will suggest.
  Please select (in USD):More than $75K$50K to $75K$35,000 to $50,000$25,000 to $35,000$20,000 to $25,000$15,000 to $20,000$10,000 to $15,000Other (this will open a new box you can write in)
• REMINDER: Local inflation has soared in some countries, so check Wendy’s Pricing Tip above the trip planner's photo.
• Tell us about your travel budget*

• Where should we send your personalized recommendation?

• First Name*
• Last Name*
• If you’d like this trip to count toward a WOW Moment, use the same email address you’ve used to submit trip requests to WendyPerrin.com in the past.*
  Enter Email Confirm Email
  If you’d like this trip to count toward a WOW Moment, use the same email address you’ve used to submit trip requests to WendyPerrin.com in the past.
• Phone
• Have you used a WOW List travel specialist before? If so, who?*
  • Yes
  • No
• Name of travel specialist(s) you've used
• Do you have a WOW Moment certificate you’d like to use? If so, please enter the first four digits of the certificate number. Qualifying rules apply for certificate redemption.
• First 4 digits only
• How did you hear about Wendy?*
  Please selectCondé Nast TravelerTown & CountryThe Wall Street JournalThe New York TimesTripAdvisorFriends or colleaguesA travel professionalGoogle searchSocial mediaI’ve followed Wendy’s advice for years

• If you do not receive an email confirmation of your trip request from info@wendyperrin.com and you have checked your spam folder, let us know: questions@wendyperrin.com.

• Name
  This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Δ

Choosing the right river is the first step to planning a great rafting adventure. Photo courtesy O.A.R.S.

Choosing the Right River

Most overlooked
To many people, Idaho means potatoes and a long, boring stretch of Interstate 84. Of all the Rocky Mountain states, it may well have the least cachet. But it’s home to numerous national monuments, historic sites, reserves, wildlife refuges, recreation and conservation areas, and state parks—not to mention the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness Area, the second-largest protected wilderness in the lower 48. Here you’ll find lots of great whitewater, including on the Salmon River.

The Yampa River is the last undammed tributary of the Colorado River system. Located in Dinosaur National Monument, it’s a little-known gem in the park service crown: sandy beaches, side hikes to vistas that rival the Grand Canyon, and well-preserved prehistoric Native American sites, all encased in a striking river corridor whose tall, vertical walls are streaked with jet-black coloration known as “desert varnish.”

Most overrated
Should the Grand Canyon be on your bucket list? Absolutely! Is it the best trip for your family? Not necessarily. Grand Canyon trips don’t usually offer an option to paddle yourself, and mid-summer temperatures can be well over 100 degrees. Rafters who want to be active in paddle rafts or inflatable kayaks, and who want to swim in water above 55 degrees, should consider rivers elsewhere—in Idaho or Oregon, for instance. The glories of the Grand Canyon can’t be understated, but make sure your expectations are aligned with the experience you’ll find there.

Best river for thrill seekers and experienced rafters
The Tuolumne River is one of the few real wilderness rafting trips in California and it is a rare “Wild & Scenic River” (a federal designation that grants the river certain protections). In the spring, the canyon walls are covered with brilliant orange poppies and purple lupine. Arguably the best whitewater trip in the state, the “T” delivers constant action, including the infamous Class IV+* Clavey Falls. Early season, high-water trips challenge the most experienced rafter, and in summer a side-hike up the Clavey River to its hidden swimming holes is a great way to beat the heat.

More experienced rafters should not spend too much time worrying that a certain river won’t be challenging enough. A multi-day wilderness rafting trip is more than the whitewater alone. The natural beauty of the great outdoors, a day (or week) with so few obligations or distractions, your fellow travelers and guides (and of course the excitement of the rapids), all combine to create your own unique river experience. Let it surprise you.

Having dinner at a campsite on the Rogue River. Photo courtesy O.A.R.S.

Best river for beginners
Oregon’s Wild & Scenic Rogue River offers a perfect introduction to multi-day river running. The Rogue offers lush greenery, warm, clear water (70 degrees is balmy by river standards) and hidden waterfalls. With mostly gentle rapids—plus a few to command respect and get your heart rate up—three- to five-day trips down the Rogue are a great option for first-timers.

Best river for families
While the stretch of the Green River that cuts through Desolation Canyon can be recommended to just about anyone, it’s a great choice for families and children. “Deso” lays claim to more than 50 splashy Class II-III* rapids in its 84 miles, and offers picture-perfect campsites with sandy nooks shaded by cottonwoods. Hikes of varying lengths lead to an abandoned ranch full of artifacts from bygone days, well-preserved pictograph panels of the Fremont culture, and one of Butch Cassidy’s hideouts (allegedly). Mosquitoes can be pretty pesky in the upper canyon during the early season, but many outfitters motor through this section on the first day.

*River Classification System:
Class I: Easy
Class II: Novice
Class III: Beginner – Intermediate
Class IV: Advanced
Class V: Expert
Class VI: Extreme (not run commercially)

Ask Wendy