The 15 Best White Water Rafting Trips

1.Khao Lak: Khao Sok Bamboo Rafting and Elephant Bathing Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 719 reviews · 7 hours · from $79Our pick

Travel from Khao Lak to Khao Sok for a small-group day with elephant feeding and bathing, bamboo rafting, a Thai lunch, bamboo coffee by a limestone cave, Takuapa market, and Phanthurat Temple. English-speaking guides such as Nine, Ran, Danni, and K are known for friendly help and photos.

“Our day started at a morning food market. A great insight into local lives. Then on to the elephant camp. Being in a small group, each ‘family’ unit was allocated an elephant (& trainer) to bathe. This was an amazing experience on its own. Following the elephants baths, we were provided with drinks & snacks before moving on to Monkey Temple. Only a short stop here before moving on. A gentle punt along the river on a traditional bamboo raft. Our ‘driver’ pointing out wildlife and beautiful scenery along the way. A stop for tea or coffee, made using bamboo over a fire to heat the water near some caves…”

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2.Denali Rafting Canyon Wave

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 643 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $147Top rated

Take on 11 miles of Nenana River whitewater near Denali National Park with guides such as Beau, Pat, Luke, and J Money. Choose a paddle-raft seat or ride in an oar boat, then face rapids including Razorback, Royal Flush, and Coffee Grinder in a provided drysuit.

“All of our group had an amazing time!! This was mine and Brad’s first experience and we will definitely do it again!! G Money was our guide and we really had a great time with him.”

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3.2 Hour Rafting on the Yellowstone River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 549 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $95

Join Wild West Rafting in Gardiner for a two-hour Yellowstone River trip with Class II and III rapids, calm stretches, and a possible swim. Guides such as Jack, Jess, Morgan, and Spencer keep first-timers and children involved while providing wetsuits, water shoes, splash jackets, and river instruction.

“Well organized. Great instruction. Really a fun time for the whole family. The staff was great. Wonderful facilities”

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4.National Park Whitewater Rafting in New River Gorge WV

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 513 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $99

Spend about six hours rafting the Lower New River through New River Gorge National Park. Guides such as Samuel, Crock, Nick, Richard, and Kristen lead small groups through Class III and IV rapids, with a riverside lunch on 9 AM trips. Gear is included, while wetsuits and photos cost extra.

“Great crew and well run. Smaller groups than everyone else we saw on the River. We definitely had a more personalized experience than the other boats that were all just packed full. And there were adult beverages at the end! Lunch is ham and cheese sandwiches so if you want something more just bring it with you. Definitely would go here first if rafting this area again. Everything was very easy and laid back.”

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5.Denali Rafting Wilderness Wave

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 462 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $147

Take a roughly three-hour Wilderness Wave trip on 11 miles of the Nenana River beside Denali National Park. Expect class 2 and 3 rapids, drysuits, mountain views, possible moose sightings, and guides such as Tupelo, Beau, Barbie, or Marty. Pickup and return transport are included.

“This was a GREAT experience. Everyone with Wilderness Wave was excellent. Our raft captain BEAU was awesome. He truly made my granddaughter Lillys vacation super special, one she will not forget. He truly was FANTASTIC.... If I could ... I would rate this as 6 stars And a must do.”

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6.Half-Day Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 390 reviews · from $88

Paddle the Flathead River from West Glacier through calm water and John Stevens Canyon rapids on a 2.5-hour trip. Guides such as Jackie, Luke, Grace, and Todd lead beginners through Class II and III whitewater. Morning and afternoon departures are available, with gear supplied.

“Our family's first "real" whitewater experience was a total blast! We got soaked with cold glacier water, but it was refreshing in the warm sun and while paddling through rapids. The kids (teen and preteen) had a chance to jump in the water at a deeper, calmer spot towards the end and experienced the jolt of the cold water on their whole bodies. A giant splash fight got us all thoroughly drenched and was a ton of fun. We highly recommend this trip and this raft company in particular!”

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7.Kananaskis River Whitewater Rafting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 328 reviews · 4 hours · from $95

Spend four hours rafting the Kananaskis River near Banff, punching through 10 or more Class 2 and 3 rapids and paddling an Olympic kayaking course. Guides such as Geoff, Sam, Zac, and Eoghann keep the mood lively and the instructions clear. Gear, transport from the river base, and a drink are included.

“The age range of our group ranged from five years old to 65 years old and all of us had a great time. It felt very safe yet the more adventuresome in our group had opportunities to experience more daring feats. Would definitely do it again”

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8.Jasper National Park: 2-Hour Whitewater Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 310 reviews · 2 hours · from $80

Join an English or French-speaking river guide for a two-hour Athabasca River trip from Jasper. You will wear provided wetsuit gear, float past 360-degree mountain views, handle class II rapids, and may swim in the cold glacial water. Guides such as Jordan, Emily, and Connor are known for clear instruction and good humor.

“The 330pm trip with our guides Georgie, Ellie, and Aaron was epic!! Do it!”

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9.Khao Sok: Elephant Rescue Center with Lunch & Bamboo Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 306 reviews · 8 hours · from $84

From Khao Lak, you’ll feed and bathe rescued elephants, prepare papaya salad, enjoy a southern Thai lunch, and float down the Sok River on a bamboo raft. Guides such as Didi, Otto, and Winnie are praised for thoughtful care, clear explanations, and great photo help.

“What an incredible experience being with the elephants. Loved the feeding, mud bathing and washing of our majestic elephant in the beautiful Khao Sok National Park. There are many elephant sanctuaries but chose this one for its ethical approach towards their elephants. Also enjoyed the relaxing bamboo rafting, a visit to a Buddhist Temple, viewpoint and lovely authentic lunch. Our guide, Didi went above and beyond in looking after us and her knowledge was incredible.”

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10.Afternoon Kananaskis River Whitewater Rafting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 297 reviews · 4 hours · from $110

Spend four hours rafting the Kananaskis River near Banff, with 1.5 to 2 hours on the water, Class 2 and 3 rapids, a scenic float, and optional swimming. Guides such as David, Hazel, Alex, and Rachel are known for clear instruction and good group energy. Gear, snacks, hot drinks, and free online photos are included.

“We did the kananskis river. One of the greatest experiences I ever had. My guide was Jack (tidy) and he was absolute hilarious and extremely knowledgeable of the area. I highly recommend this.”

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11.Jasper National Park Easy 2-Hour Rafting Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 291 reviews · 2 hours · from $65Best value

Meet at Jasper train station, ride a short shuttle to the Athabasca River, then settle into a 25-foot oar-driven raft. Your English-speaking guide handles the rowing and shares stories about Jasper, wildlife, and fur traders. Expect calm water, a few splashy Class 2 rapids, and possible dogs on scheduled trips.

“Friendly and informative staff. Felt extremely safe in the hands of the two guides taking us in the river. Excellent afternoon 👍😊”

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12.Montana: Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 201 reviews · 2h 30m · from $90

Paddle eight miles through John F. Stevens Canyon on the Middle Fork Flathead River. Your English-speaking guide, such as Maddie, Paige, or Aaron, teaches simple commands before nine class II and III rapids. Expect cold water, park views, and a family-friendly half-day outing.

“We enjoyed the day. We all would have loved time to play on the edge of the river and maybe do some jumping off rocks. But those were not apart of what they offered. The ride and education Ava gave us was a great experience and we will definitely raft again.”

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13.Full Day Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Adventure – With Lunch!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 195 reviews · from $152

Spend 5 to 6 hours on the Middle Fork Flathead River with guides such as Anders, Emma, Jesse, or Reznor. You’ll enjoy a calm float, buffet lunch, and family-friendly class II and III rapids near Glacier National Park.

“The views of course, the guides' energy and humor, Nicolette's understandable nuggets of history and geology, her calm capable instructions to us.”

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14.Khao Sok: Elephant Day Care, & Bamboo Rafting Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 109 reviews · 5 hours · from $79

Spend five busy hours around Khao Sok with an English or German-speaking guide, meeting rescued elephants, making medicinal treats, bathing them, rafting the Sok River, tasting bamboo coffee, learning papaya salad, and stopping at a viewpoint, waterfall, and temple.

“everything was amazing, the guide was very friendly and accommodating, iris , he was great!”

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15.Khao Lak: Khao Sok Private Ethical Elephants & Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 102 reviews · 8 hours

Travel privately from Khao Lak to Khao Sok for observation-only elephant care, a Som Tum lesson, southern Thai lunch, bamboo rafting, river coffee, Mae Yai Waterfall, and rainforest viewpoints. Guides such as Winnie, Dee Dee, Sak, and Kob are praised for personal service and local insight.

“The best tour we have ever been on! Maew & Mang we’re so lovely and accomodating, we had the best day, definitely worth doing the private tour and the time spent at each experience was well worth the money, we even stopped at a market on the way back to the hotel to try some snacks. 100% highly recommend”

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