If you ask us, whitewater rafting vacations are the best kind of vacation! In this article, we’ll introduce you to some of the nuts and bolts of planning such a getaway, detail some top destinations in the country for one, and explain why Echo Canyon River Expeditions is a top choice for anchoring your trip.
Considerations When Choosing a Rafting Destination
Different people want different things out of a rafting vacation. Maybe not the most profound observation, but important to remember nonetheless—especially if you’re planning a family or other group getaway. Some folks want a big-time adventure bouncing (or swimming!) through thrilling rapids. Others want a laidback, super-chill float trip.
The technical difficulty of a particular river route is a first and foremost sort of consideration. You need to take into account your skill and experience level—not to mention your physical fitness and swimming ability—before choosing what kind of rafting trip you ought to tackle. We’ve got plenty of information here at the Echo Canyon blog on this subject, including breakdowns of the different classes of rapids and guides to rafting as a non-swimmer. You can also dig into information on whitewater safety, what to wear rafting, and much else.
Our company takes pride in offering whitewater trips for every skill level and inclination: You can get in touch directly with the Echo Canyon team here at the website or by calling (800) 690-3246, and we’ll be happy to help you select the ideal rafting trip for you.
Top Destinations for Whitewater Rafting Vacations: Where is the Best Place to Go Whitewater Rafting?
It’s mighty hard narrowing down the very best destinations for whitewater rafting trips, which, after all, can take place all over the world, from Alaska to the Himalayas. For the following list, we’re restricting ourselves to the Lower 48, and, mind you, we’re leaving out plenty of other worthy candidates. But these five rivers and routes definitely embody the quality and variety of American whitewater!
- The Grand Canyon (Colorado River): The 200-plus-mile rafting trip through the Grand Canyon is easily one of the most legendary whitewater adventures in the world, and for good reason. The big rapids of the Colorado River within this gigantic chasm—including Lava Falls, maybe the most infamous whitewater rapid in the U.S.—helped shape the modern sport. But, nabbing a spot on a rafting trip through the Grand takes plenty of advance planning and preparation, given its popularity.
- The Rogue River: The gorgeous canyon the Wild & Scenic Rogue River boils through while crossing the Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon constitutes one of the best river trips in the country. The whitewater involved is typically Class III to Class IV, though Rainie Falls—usually portaged or detoured around—is a Class V beast.
- The Middle Fork of the Salmon River: Nestled in the enormous Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness of Central Idaho’s Northern Rocky Mountains, the iconic Middle Fork lures rafters and paddlers from around the globe.
- The New River: Think all of the great rafting in the U.S. is out West? Think again! The East also lays claim to spectacular whitewater, and some of the most celebrated lies along the geologically ancient New River in West Virginia, known for its big-time rapids and waves.
- The Arkansas River: The state of Colorado has premier rafting routes in abundance, but perhaps the most esteemed lies along the Arkansas River, which rises in the Southern Rockies and runs all the way to the Mississippi. While we lead trips on several rivers here at Echo Canyon River Expeditions, the Arkansas—including its remarkable passage through the 1,200-foot-deep Royal Gorge—is our main stomping ground, and we’d love to introduce you to its wonders!
What types of guided tours are available for these rafting destinations? Our rafting company offers half-day and full-day trips on the Arkansas in the Bighorn Sheep Canyon (one of our family-friendly rafting options) and the Royal Gorge—a bucket-list adventure travel destination for more experienced rafters. We also provide the option of multi-day river rafting trips: a more customizable adventure that takes some additional planning!
Planning Your Rafting Getaway
Along with selecting the actual river or region you want to raft, there are plenty of other considerations for planning whitewater rafting vacations. Many folks like to tack on other experiences to their river-running one, and that’s certainly highly recommended when you’re rafting the Arkansas in our neck of the woods, given the splendid scenery, sightseeing, and adventuring available in the Royal Gorge Region.
What other activities can you enjoy on an Arkansas River whitewater vacation? All sorts of things! We offer special vacation packages that combine Echo Canyon rafting with other fun such as ziplining or taking a train ride through the Royal Gorge. These combo experiences make for some truly unforgettable outdoor adventure trips! Top-tier hiking, mountain biking, rock-climbing, and Jeeping are available in this corner of Colorado, and meanwhile, there are also a slew of educational, entertainment, and R&R opportunities as well: from the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience to The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey here in Cañon City and the popular casinos of the historic mining outpost of Cripple Creek.
Another plus of Echo Canyon River Expeditions is our partner outfit Royal Gorge Cabins, which manages luxury cabin rentals a stone’s throw from our headquarters outside of Cañon City. It’s therefore an absolute breeze to arrange a weekend—or weeklong!—rafting vacation in the Royal Gorge Region, one of the great adventure travel destinations in the West.
Book a Vacation to Remember
One major reason why guests love Echo Canyon River Expeditions for whitewater rafting vacations is that we not only lead world-class river trips but also give you easy access to luxury accommodations within shouting distance of the Royal Gorge and an amazing lineup of other activities to enjoy in this breathtaking region on the doorstep of the Southern Rocky Mountains.
Your dream whitewater rafting vacation is just a few clicks away. With our prime location and experienced team, we’re excited to craft a top-tier rafting experience tailored just for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our rafting experts with any questions.
