The Rocky Mountains, the Great Basin, and the Colorado Plateau, give Utah its arid deserts and sand dunes, pine forests, mountain ranges, valleys and basins, and sandstone plateaus. All these features make for rivers that are great for white water rafting adventures.

There are several rivers in the Beehive State that have rapids well suited for white water rafting. These are the Colorado and Green Rivers, as well as the Dolores, San Juan, and Sevier Rivers.

The Colorado River stretches over 2,000 kilometers from Colorado, through southeastern Utah and northwestern Arizona, to the Gulf of California. It enters Utah just north of the city of Moab in Grand County. Within the state, there are three sections of the river that are used for white water rafting, the Westwater Canyon, Fisher Towers, and Cataract Canyon.

Westwater has not earned the title the “West’s Best Short White Water Rafting Trip” granted by the National Geographic for nothing. It has 17 miles of roaring waters that consists of at least 11 Class III to IV rapids. The white water itself it exciting, but if you are brave enough to turn your head around while working on the churning waters, you will discover spectacular black, gold, and red walls that reach up to sky.

Fisher Towers is a calm section of the Colorado with six Class II rapids. This is an ideal spot for beginners, young kids, and those who are trying to conquer their fear of the water.

Eighteen of the 112 miles of the Cataract Canyon are filled with 26 rapids classed at III to V levels. The rapids are quite challenging that some outfitters do not allow children below seven years old to get on board. Some even increase this limit to 12 years. You can also beach your raft in between the rapids to hike to the ancient cliff dwellings of early Native Americans and browse through their rock art.

Originating from the Wind River Range in Wyoming and eventually joining the Colorado River, the Green River is another great place for white water rafting. Here you can start your whitewater adventure on a desert plateau and run through millions of years of geologic history while navigating through Class II to IV rapids. You can also take a break from the waters and travel through the hideouts of famous outlaws and dinosaur playgrounds, as well as examine Native American prehistoric rock drawings.

The Dolores River joins the Colorado River northeast of Moab. So does the San Juan to the south near Powell Lake. The Sevier River, on the other hand, rises in the northwest and, after a circuitous route, pours into the Sevier Lake. These three rivers feature Class II to IV rapids. Beginners can learn the ropes of rafting in these waters while experienced rafters can have their share of challenges. Parents can introduce their children to the beauty of nature in these rivers. At the same time, there are also sections that are guaranteed to make a rafter’s heart beat a little faster.