Rafting Rapids

A whitewater river rafting trip is an unforgettable experience. There are exciting rapids, astounding views, soul-stirring canyons, majestic waterfalls, beautiful overlooks, and fascinating slot canyons—all accessible only by river. Over the past 20 years, I have been on over 60 trips, many from when I was a river guide. Based on my personal whitewater rafting adventures, here are my top whitewater rafting trip suggestions.

—Sharai McGill

Rafters meet at the confluence of the Colorado River and the Little Colorado River.

Photo by Craig Shelley

Hoback, Wyoming

This half-day float on the Snake River includes rapids named Lunch Counter and The Big Kahuna. On your way down the river, keep an eye out for bald eagles, elk, and deer. Farther down river, cliff jumping is a must, but the thirty-foot drop is not for the faint of heart.

Moab Daily Section, Utah

With thousands of passengers every year, this is a popular half-day float. You can cool off with rapids like Onion Creek, Cloudburst, Ida Gulch, and Whites Ranch.

Cataract Canyon, Utah

The whitewater here delivers the largest runnable rapids in North America, with waves towering over forty feet! These roaring rapids include Mile Long, Ben Hurt, and The Big Drops. Little Niagara, Satan’s Gut, Hell to Pay, and The Claw are terrifying holes that can flip the raft. Hidden in the cliffs along the river are intriguing ancient Anasazi Indian ruins and petroglyphs, many accessible by hiking.

Westwater, Utah

Large rapids, gorgeous sandstone canyon walls, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and shiny jet black Precambrian formations (nearly two billion years old) make for spectacular scenery. Some of the most thrilling rapids on this scenic adventure include Funnel Falls, Skull Rapid, Room of Doom, Rock of Shock, Magnetic Wall, and Sock It to Me.

Main Salmon, Idaho

Riverbanks lined with pine trees frame rapids called Gun Barrel, Devil’s Teeth, Big Mallard, Elk Horn, and Chittam. There are historical sites, natural hot springs, and old cabins along the way that provide family-friendly entertainment.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

This rafting trip of up to two weeks long is my personal favorite. The rollercoaster rapids of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon are exhilarating, refreshing, and a huge adrenaline rush, with rapids named the Roaring 20s, Granite, Hermit, Horn Creek, Lava Falls, and Helicopter Eddy. The scenery showcases soaring red cliffs and stunning geological formations. Along the way is a stop to see the turquoise waterfalls and pools of the Little Colorado.

Nothing compares to the elation of flying down rapids, falling into the trough of a big haystack wave, and then shooting back up to the top. Away from distractions, river rafting is a time of high excitement, paired with occasions of absolute relaxation in the wilderness. With endless scenic wonders and exhilarating thrills, a whitewater rafting trip is just what you are looking for: the adventure of a lifetime.

The river offers a spectacular view of the Grand Canyon.

Photo by Wendy Curtis

Rafting through the rapids at Lava Falls, Grand Canyon.

Photo by Craig Shelley

Kayla Rinker rows Granite Rapid with passengers Sharai McGill and Mitch Curtis.

Photo by Craig Shelley