Best Whitewater Rafting Adventure

Whether your speed is Class I rapids or Class V, whitewater rafting is a great way to challenge nature and enjoy its many beauties--all while experiencing some adrenaline-inducing fun. And you can take your pick—the US has some of the best whitewater rafting destinations in the world. Compiled by experts, here's our list of some of the best rafting outfitters around, whether you're an old hand or just beginning your rafting journey.

These 10 whitewater rafting adventures were selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best.

Congratulations to our 2024 winners; you can now visit our 2025 Best Whitewater Rafting Adventure contest.

1. St. Elias Alpine Guides—McCarthy/Kennecott, AK

Starting in 1978 (before Wrangell-St. Elias National Park was actually a park), St. Elias Alpine Guides has been shepherding explorers safely through this perilous yet magnificent region of Alaska. They are the oldest continuously operating business in the park and offer a wealth of expertise in planning and guiding. Rafting trips come in both single- and multi-day versions, and you can create custom itineraries as well.

2. Western River Expeditions—Salt Lake City, UT

Founded in 1961, this outfitter guides more people down the rivers they run than any competitors. With trips to iconic rivers in Utah, Oregon, Idaho, the Grand Canyon and Costa Rica, there's something for everyone in their roster. Try a beginner's trip, take a family group or venture out solo. With their years of experience, Western River knows how to make your experience safe and spectacular.

3. Far & Away Adventures—Ketchum, ID

Can't quite bring yourself to fully rough it? Enter Far & Away Adventures. This Ketchum, Idaho-based company specializes in journeys down the Salmon River with luxury overnight stays. Savor a gourmet dinner before enjoying sweet dreams in tents with raised beds, rugs, tables and lamps. Far & Away offers options for beginning to expert rafters, including families with kids, and can happily accommodate guests with disabilities.

4. Adventures on the Gorge—Lansing, WV

Explore America's newest park—New River Gorge—with this outfitter founded in 2004 by old hands from the local guide business. A strength is the multiplicity of the company's options, which range from half-day to multi-day trips, Class I to Class V rapids and expert-only adventures to kid-friendly outings. Expert guides will help match you to your best option. You can also take advantage of their other outdoor adventures in the area.

5. Moab Adventure Center—Moab, UT

Perfect for families and beginning rafters, Moab Adventure Center makes rafting down the Colorado River easy. Start with a half- or full-day trip—you can choose milder rapids and enjoy a BBQ lunch provided. Or choose a multi-day sampler package that includes rafting, hiking, camping and more. Packages for more difficult river stretches are available, and the company offers a full compliment of outdoor adventures from mountain biking to zip lines.

6. Wilderness River Adventures—Page, AZ

Wilderness River Adventures' multi-day trips down the Colorado River are considered bucket-list-worthy by many. Expeditions explore the Upper and/or Lower parts of the river, hitting everything from Class 1 to Class IV rapids along the way. You can choose between oar-powered or motorized rafts, and all your equipment needs and meals are covered. Note that age minimums are 8 and 12 years old for the motorized and manual versions respectively.

7. ROW Adventures—Coeur d'Alene, ID

Now in their 45th year of business, ROW Adventures is still owned by founder Peter Grubb. While the outfit runs a variety of national and international adventure tours today, they began as a whitewater rafting company, and trips to rivers in Idaho, Oregon, and Montana remain a key offering. Other things to love about this company include their high guide-to-guest ratio as well as their genuine commitment to sustainability efforts.

8. Wyoming River Trips—Cody, WY

Enjoy an in-town trip through the Red Rock Canyon section of the Shoshone River or head towards Yellowstone National Park to a federally protected area open only to Wyoming River Trips. This family-owned and -operated organization offers family-focused trips that run from 5 to 25 miles and can be multi-day trips. Choose from trips incorporating Class I to Class III rapids as well as custom trips with extras like paddle and rowing instruction, packrafting and more.

9. Northwest Rafting Company—Stanley, ID & Galice, OR

If you want to explore true wilderness, Northwest Rafting Company has you covered. Their expeditions take you to US destinations from Idaho's iconic Salmon River to considerably wilder areas such as Oregon's Rogue River. Packages cover Class III to Class V rapids, include family-friendly options, and incorporate time to appreciate the land as well as the water. Want a unique experience? Book an international rafting trip in Chile or Bhutan.

10. Glacier Raft Company—West Glacier, MT

Glacier Raft Company organizes half-, single-, and multi-day rafting trips down Glacier National Park's pristine whitewater rivers. After 40 years in the biz, they've got their service nailed down, especially with small groups. Families with kids are welcome to join. Bonus? This outfit is community-minded, running river trash clean-ups annually at public access points.

About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@newsweek.com.

Panel of Experts

Having worked in television news as an anchor and investigative reporter, Anietra Hamper is now an award-winning outdoor writer specializing in global fishing. Anietra writes for travel and outdoor publications and is a vetted member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA). She does public speaking and production work, and she is the author of Secret Columbus (Reedy Press), 100 Things To Do In Columbus Before You Die (Reedy Press) and a contributing author to the bi-lingual book Yangzhou Through American Eyes. Anietra is based in Gahanna, Ohio and is the owner of ThreeWordPress. Follow her @anietrahamper or on Facebook.

Heather Mundt is a freelance writer based in Longmont, Colorado, who writes about outdoor and family travel. She is also the author of Colorado Family Outdoor Adventure. Follow her adventures at momfari.com.

Jill Robbins is an expert writer focusing on family and adventure travel as well as practical tips to help everyone get the most value out of their vacation experience. Jill's work has appeared in the Miami Herald, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Business Insider, Tripsavvy, Matador Network, Wealth of Geeks, Canadian Traveller, Travel Awaits, San Antonio Magazine and more. She lives in San Antonio with her husband and two sons, but she's usually somewhere else. Learn more about her travels at rippedjeansandbifocals.com or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Lina Stock is a travel expert and professional photographer. Her travels have taken her to all seven continents and 110+ countries. With her husband, David, she founded the multiple award winning travel blog, DivergentTravlers.com, after leaving behind corporate America to travel around the world. It became a career, and she now travels full time as a content creator, working with hundreds of destinations and brands to share their stories. You can follow the adventure on the blog and across social media @Divergent Travelers.

Margot Black is a passionate outdoor travel writer whose love for the natural world is contagious. With decades of experience exploring the great outdoors, she is a respected expert in the field of adventure travel. Margot strongly believes in the transformative power of nature and works tirelessly to encourage families to spend more time outdoors together. Her travel writing blends in-depth research with a personal touch, providing readers with an escape to the world's most breathtaking landscapes. Margot's warm, capable and fun-loving demeanor inspires her readers to embark on their own adventures and create memories that will last a lifetime. Read more about her adventures at blackinktravelwriting.com.

Susan Lanier-Graham is founder and publisher of Wander With Wonder, an award-winning online travel journalism magazine. She has authored more than 75 books and hundreds of magazine articles while traveling the world over the past three decades. Susan's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including various AAA publications, TravelandLeisure.com, Hotels.com, Modern Luxury, WHERE publications, Fairmont.com, Marriott.com and more. Susan is a member of Society of American Travel Writers, International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association, and North American Travel Journalists Association. She is also a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist.

Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.