Rafters can enjoy an eight-mile long run of white water flanked with lush forests, two-lane roads, and even a scenic railroad. Water flow is controlled by a dam owned by Duke Energy, thus the flow is fairly constant except when there is a need to lower the water levels at Nantahala Lake. This is when the river becomes hyperactive and the beginners better get off the water.

The first rapid you will meet is Patton’s Run, just below the put-in. This is a Class II but could become a III during high waters. If you manage to avoid Jaws, a rock blocking that part of the river to where your raft is pushed by medium waves, you can take a quick breath and dive right into the Pyramid and Delebar’s Rocks. You can have fun with the rock spins and see if you can maneuver your way around the boulders.
You will need to paddle your way through five more rapids named Quarry, Whirlpool, the Ledges, Surfing Rapid, and the Bump before reaching the finale –Nantahala Falls.

Nantahala Falls is the most challenging of the rapids. It is the longest and swiftest, therefore, it is the most fun. There is a succession of tall waves as the river narrows into a channel. Your raft will be tossed around, so make sure it doesn’t capsize. If you manage to ride over these waves, a quick slide to the bottom of the falls will end is huge splash with equally huge smiles.

Rafting the Zambezi can begin with either a solo or 2-person kayak alongside a few hippopotamuses and crocodiles as you paddle towards Victoria Falls. If you survive the crocs, you can get your first lessons in white water rafting with gentle Class I and II rapids.

Just a mile below Victoria Falls, your introduction into the mighty Zambezi begins where you are initiated into the higher classes of white water rafting. After descending on a steep trail into the banks of the Batoko gorge, you are presented to Nyami-Nyami, the Zambezi river god who then takes you to a white water rafting adventure you can talk about with your children and grandchildren for years to come.

There are plenty of rapids along the Zambezi, starting just below the Victoria, at the Zambia-Zimbabwe border. You can start you adventure at the official No. 1 rapid, the Boiling Point. This is accessible only from the Zambian side so be sure to book your accommodations and outfitters within Zambia, otherwise you will need to bring your passport along as you cross from one country into the other. Just be sure to seal it in a ziplock to keep it dry.

The Boiling Point is a Class IV to V rapid that you can consider your baptism of fire amid all that water. It runs directly into a wall creating a huge cushion wave and eddy. From there you will negotiate about 20 or 25 more rapids with names such as “Stairway to Heaven”, a Class V with an 8 meter drop over a 10 meter river flow; “Devil’s Toilet Bowl”, Class IV that makes you think of the whirlpool in your own toilet bowl, only infinitely larger; “Commercial Suicide”, classified at Class V to VI, it is easily the most infamous of the lot; “Gnashing Jaws of Death”, is another morbidly named rapid, but at Class IV it may be appropriate; the “Overland Truck Eater” also eats rubber rafts with its Class V white waters; and “Oblivion”, another Class V that flips more rafts into oblivion than it allows to pass unscathed. Once you pass this rapid, though, you are on to the milder rapids at Class II and III before you are taken out of the river. By this time, you should now fully appreciate why it is called “the Mighty Zambezi”.

The river has three sections, the Upper, Middle, and Lower Gauley. Of these the Upper Gauley is most challenging with its Class IV and V rapids along its 16 kilometer route. The Lower Gauley is a little gentler but longer. It runs 18 kilometers and features Class III and IV rapids. When water is released from the Summersville dam, you can expect a few Class V waters. The Middle Gauley is often ran together with either the Upper or Lower. It is most mild of the three and is sometimes used by beginners to get a feel of white water rafting. It has Class III and a few Class IV rapids.

In a 42 kilometer stretch the river drops over 200 meters creating 120 rapids, a good number of which are at least Class III. In the Upper Gauley alone, there are 35 Class IIIs or IVs, and five Class Vs that are sure to keep your adrenal glands pumping as they present a formidable challenge to your paddling skills. These are known as the Big Five. The first is the incongruously named Insignificant for there is nothing insignificant about it. This is followed by Pillow Rock, another powerful rapid. Lost Paddle is where you could lose your paddles in the three treacherous drops. Iron Ring is so called because there used to be an iron ring anchored in a rock in the area. Finally, there is also Sweet’s Falls. With a 12-feet fall, it is by no means sweet. It was named after John Sweet, a pioneer in the Gauley.

The Middle and Lower Gauley each have fewer rapids that are also less powerful and intimidating. They are spread out over longer intervals giving rafters time to catch their breaths before taking on another. These are mostly Class IIIs but there are also Class IVs with names like Wood’s Ferry, Koontz’s Flume, Heaven’s Gate, and Upper and Lower Staircase. There is also a Class V with the appropriate name of Pure Screaming Hell where you have to negotiate two large holes. These holes each have a name. Purgatory and Hell Hole.

The Upper Gauley is usually limited to experienced and more daring rafters. Most outfitters in the area do not allow children below 16 years old in these waters. Experience and a good physical condition are often required. The Middle and Lower Gauley, on the other hand, is open to beginners as long as they are accompanied by trained rafters. Children as young as 12 can be taken on this trip, making it perfect for families with teenagers. After a few trips on the Lower and Middle Gauley, you can try your hand at the Upper.

White water rafting in the legendary American River is always a fun filled adventure. Each fork has different thrills to offer every rafter despite all originating from the Sierra Nevada. The South Fork of the American River is the friendliest part of the American River among the three forks. In this Class II, 3-mile II stretch from the Coloma to the Lotus portion is an ideal introduction of beginners to white water rafting. For a bit of challenge, other rafters can try the increased challenge of the Class III runs, Chili Bar and Gorge. Surely in the South Fork, experts as well as beginners will surely enjoy white water rafting on this part of the American River.

The Middle Fork gives spice and variety of challenges ranging from experienced to expert. The popularly exhilarating Tunnel Chute white water rapid never fails to bring numerous rafters back year after year. The Middle Fork also has several class III rapids such as Alarm Clock, Last Chance, Kanak and others. These rapids make the Middle fork a perfect white water rafting trip for intermediate rafters. The North Fork, on the other hand, consists of white water particularly for experts only. The Generation Gap, found in the North Fork area is the highest run in terms of elevation and difficulty. The Generation Gap offers expert rafters 12 miles of exciting class V white water. Rafters have to take a three mile hike in order to put in for Generation Gap and there is no other way to go out of the remote canyon but to go downstream on a raft.

Another part of the North Fork that most people are excited about is the adrenaline pumping run of the class IV Chamberlain Falls. The Chamberlain Falls, which runs for 9 miles, is famous for its stunning beauty, continuous white water and for its easy access. The world famous six feet Chamberlain Falls and the Slaughter’s Sluice being the run while the Staircase and Bogus Thunder ends the five mile class IV section before starting with the exciting class II to III rapids for take-out.

If you want to experience the white water rapids of the American River, you can either choose to enroll in a trip offered by commercial outfitters. This is advised when you are planning to go on a trip with a group like friends or family. Beginners up to intermediate level rafter should always go white water rafting with an experienced and licensed rafting guide. For experts who want to explore the American River alone, private boating clubs can help you get geared up. Those who are going on their own for the first time are encouraged to at least take on class from famous rafting and kayaking schools around the American River vicinity.

The Rogue River was one of the first eight rivers to be included in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 protects the Rogue River by limiting each season’s visitors. The Rogue River’s Wild Section is known all over the world as one of the most awesome white water runs. Its white water rapids are safe albeit extremely exciting.

The Rogue River’s Wild Section starts at the opening of Grave Creek, located northwest of Grants Pass, Oregon. It features 33 miles of class II to III white water rapids. It also includes the class IV rapids of Rainie Falls and the amazing scenery of the class IV white water rapids of Blossom Bar and Mule Creek Canyon.

Feel the breeze and the splash of the white water in your face. Go on an adventure that you will never forget. Go on a white water rafting trip on Rogue River. There are numerous outfitters that offer adventure trips on the Rogue River. Most outfitters offer a variety of activity and fun-filled packages that is perfect for your sense of adventure and budget. Carefully choose the right one for you.

The Wild Section of the Rogue River is every white water rafting enthusiast’s dream. But to keep the Rogue River open for rafters, it should be kept clean and pristine. Here are ways that you can help:

• Leave the Rogue River as it is. No traces of trash, human waste, gray water and fire residue should be left on the river and campsites.
• Most toilets are available at developed camp sites but if you plan on camping at an undeveloped site, make sure to bring a portable toilet.
• Never use soap, even the biodegradable kind, on Rogue River. They are a foreign substance that may harm the natural state of the river.
• Food scraps should not be thrown or left in the site. This can attract pests such as flies and mosquitoes.
• All year round, open fires can only be burned in a fire pan. It is expected that the fire residue is packed out just like normal camping equipments. Make sure to use and burn only dead wood. Gas or propane gas stove can be a wonderful alternative in keeping the area in its natural state.

You will find plenty of white water rafting outfitters along the river but the more popular ones are in Jackson Hole in Wyoming and at the Hells Canyon along the border of Idaho and Oregon.

In the Jackson Hole area the rapids vary from Class II to as much as Class VI, giving both unskilled beginners and hardened experts a place to have their own kind of fun.
You can take your children sailing along the Snake River to expose them to the wonderful sight of eagles, hawks, herons, storks and other migratory birds skimming tall tree tops. They can also take a good look at the breathtaking Teton Mountain Range of the Rocky Mountains. And all the while, teaching them how to face the challenges of white water rafting in Class II to III waters. Fourteen-man rafts are suited for this adventure allowing participants to either help in paddling or simply sit in the middle of the boat watching the trees and the mountains and listening to the birds and the river.

Experienced rafters will probably go for the more difficult phases of the river where the waters churn, swirl, surge, and even convulse. Huge rapids named Lunch Counter, Big Kahuna, and The Ropes are certain to bring a smile to the pros as their raft is tossed and spun. To make the course even more challenging, some outfitters offer 8-man rafts that require a more intense paddling and navigating of the raft.

Hells Canyon is the deepest gorge formed by a river in North America. In order to preserve its pristine condition, a large portion of the area has been declared protected sites. In the Snake River in these places, there are plenty of Class II and III rapids with large waves, twists, and drops. These are mild enough, though, for your kids 12 years old and above. There are also Class IV and V portions that present even more of a challenge for the more experienced.

In between the rapids you may even catch a glimpse of black bear, bighorn sheep, or mountain goats and deer. You may also take a break from the rapids long enough to throw your fishing line and pray for a white sturgeon, or a rainbow trout, or a small mouth bass. July, August, and September are good months for this.

The Kern River has different river sections that are mild to wild. Its major sections include the Lower Kern, Upper Kern and the world renowned Forks of the Kern. Whether a beginner or an expert, there surely is a Kern River white water rafting adventure trip that’s suitable for you.

The Lower Kern River is classified as a III to IV rapid class. Typical rafting adventure in the lower Kern River usually starts slow and then gradually build up to stampeding and exciting finish. You will truly love the experience of getting sprayed with white water while paddling around huge boulders until you find yourself surrounded by foam filled, gnashing white water. The Lower Kern River runs for 20 miles and can be enjoyed all summer long.

The Upper Kern River is a class III to IV white water rapids that will surely get your adrenaline pumping. One the Upper Kern River, there is no downtime and no flat water, just pure, continuous white water rafting fun. The Upper Kern River adventure runs for 6-12 miles.

If you are considering rafting in the Forks of Kern River, be prepared. The starting point for the Forks run can only be accessible by a hiking trail that’s three miles long. That descends steeply down into the breathtaking solid granite canyon of Sequoia National Forest. The Forks of the Kern runs 18 miles long and drops at an amazing rate of 60 feet per mile and is recognized as the most astonishing and finest raftable white water stretch in the whole of North America. Rafting in this section of the river, you will encounter class IV to V rapids and waterfalls with several heart stopping drops, towering waves and mammoth sized holes.

Are you excited to go on a Kern River white water rafting trip? Here are some reputable white water rafting outfitters you can contact:

1. Whitewater Voyages has been serving California white water rafters since 1975. They are the largest, most experienced, and most popular California outfitter. Whitewater Voyages has taken over half a million rafters in over 30 years of service. They have licensed professional river guides that are knowledgeable in Kern River’s history as well as its moods. The guides are also skilled in first aid as well as outdoor cooking to serve guests wonderful camp cuisines. Whitewater Voyages are concerned with your safety. That’s why they only use state of the art rafting equipment.

2. Kern River Outfitters is recognized as one of the premier rafting outfitters on the Kern River. They have been enjoying their wonderful reputation since 1982. Kern Outfitters are known of their superior service that have been rated Outstanding by the U.S Forest Service for 18 consecutive years. They have well-trained, family friendly river guides that always puts safety and fun first.

Book now for a Kern River white water rafting trip. Remember, you haven’t rafted if you haven’t tried rafting in Kern River!