USA TODAY 10Best
Western River Expeditions named Best White Water Rafting Tour
Best White Water Rafting Tour (2019)
The rivers of North America offer some of the world’s best white water rafting opportunities, with thrills for experienced rafters and newbies alike. From white-knuckle rapids to more relaxed family floats, rafting is a great way to add a dash of adventure to a trip.
The top 10 winners in the category Best White Water Rafting Tour are as follows:
- Far Flung Adventures
- Three Rivers Whitewater
- Downstream Adventures
- Arkansas River Tours
- OARS
- Zoar Outdoor
- Barker Ewing Whitewater
- Wildman Adventure Resort
- U.S. Rafting
- Western River Expeditions
Photo courtesy of iStock / disorderly
No. 10:
Far Flung Adventures has been in the river rafting business for more than four decades, with itineraries on dozens of rivers around the globe. Spend a day navigating the rapids of the Taos Box in New Mexico, or spend several days on the Zambezi River exploring the wilderness of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Photo courtesy of iStock / apelletr
No. 9:
True to its name, Three Rivers offers rafting trips on the Kennebec, Dead and Penobscot Rivers, with rapids ranging from family friendly Class III to intense Class V filled with chutes, drops and holes. Thrill seekers can combine a day of rafting with a skydive from 11,000 feet above the ground.
Photo courtesy of Downstream Adventures
No. 8:
Downstream Adventures takes travelers on rafting trips through the heart of the Colorado Rockies via Clear Creek. Beginners navigate the 15 rapids of Middle Clear Creek, while more experienced rafters can take on the Lower or Upper Canyon (or the full river).
Photo courtesy of John Fielder / Arkansas River Tours
No. 7:
Arkansas River Tours outfits white water rafting trips from Colorado Springs and Cañon City, Colorado. Rafters can choose between Class III rapids in Bighorn Sheep Canyon or more extreme waters in the Royal Gorge.
Photo courtesy of James Kaiser / OARS
No. 6:
Founded in 1969, family owned OARS has become a worldwide leader in white water rafting, with trips in eight U.S. states and nearly a dozen international destinations.
Photo courtesy of Zoar Outdoor
No. 5:
Zoar Outdoor pioneered white water rafting on the Deerfield River in Massachusetts. Today, rafters enjoy trips throughout New England, from the West River in Vermont to the Millers and Concord Rivers in Massachusetts to the Great Falls section of the Connecticut River in Connecticut.
Photo courtesy of Darcy Bacha / Barker Ewing
No. 4:
Visitors to Jackson Hole can conquer the waters of the Snake River with Barker Ewing Whitewater. The popular 8-mile adventure features Class III rapids for rafters of all ages and experience levels. Trips often include meals served at one of two private riverside camp sites along the Snake River.
Photo courtesy of Wildman Adventure Resort
No. 3:
For white water adventure in the Midwest, it doesn’t get much better than Wildman Adventure Resort. This Wisconsin company has two locations along the Peshtigo and Menominee Rivers, with rapids ranging from Class II to Class IV.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Rafting
No. 2:
U.S. Rafting operates along three Maine Rivers. The Kennebec River — the most rafted in Maine — offers Class III and IV thrills, while the Dead River features 16 miles of continuous white water. For a big water adventure, take on the rapids of the Penobscot River, nicknamed the Beast of the Northeast.
Photo courtesy of Western River Expeditions
No. 1:
Western River Expeditions has more than 50 years of experience guiding trips along the rivers and canyons of the American West. Today, the company offers itineraries in Arizona (Grand Canyon), Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Costa Rica.
A panel of experts (listed below) partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning rafting companies!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Jeremy Clement
Jeremy Clement is a full time co-founder at Read More
Jeremy Clement is a full time co-founder at Project Expedition, a curated travel platform that offers access to more than 20,000 tours and excursions in destinations around the world. Based in New York City, Jeremy and his team have helped Project Expedition earn a reputation as one of the leading providers of tours and activities among travel advisors. Prior to co-founding Project Expedition, Jeremy spent seven years working in financial data and technology at Bloomberg, with long-term assignments in their New York, London, and Tokyo offices.
Jeremy Clement
Jeremy Clement is a full time co-founder at Project Expedition, a curated travel platform that offers access to more than 20,000 tours and excursions in destinations around the world. Based in New York City, Jeremy and his team have helped Project Expedition earn a reputation as one of the leading providers of tours and activities among travel advisors. Prior to co-founding Project Expedition, Jeremy spent seven years working in financial data and technology at Bloomberg, with long-term assignments in their New York, London, and Tokyo offices.
LiLing Pang
LiLing Pang is Founder & CEO at Trekaroo, a travel... Read More
LiLing Pang is Founder & CEO at Trekaroo, a travel resource and online community of "community of families inspiring each other to travel the world." Pang's personal mantra is "have kids, will travel," and she's always looking to push the limit of what's possible with children in tow.
LiLing Pang
LiLing Pang is Founder & CEO at Trekaroo, a travel resource and online community of "community of families inspiring each other to travel the world." Pang's personal mantra is "have kids, will travel," and she's always looking to push the limit of what's possible with children in tow.
Lisa Niver
Lisa Ellen Niver is an award-winning travel expert... Read More
Lisa Ellen Niver is an award-winning travel expert who has explored 101 countries and six continents. Her website, We Said Go Travel, was read in 212 countries in 2018. Find her talking travel on KTLA TV and her YouTube videos with over 900,000 views. Lisa has contributed to AARP, American Airways, Jewish Journal, Ms. Magazine, Smithsonian, USA Today 10best and Wharton Magazine. She is writing a book, “Brave Rebel: 50 Scary Challenges Before 50,” about her most recent travels and challenges. Look for her underwater SCUBA diving, in her art studio making ceramics or helping people find their next dream trip.
Lisa Niver
Lisa Ellen Niver is an award-winning travel expert who has explored 101 countries and six continents. Her website, We Said Go Travel, was read in 212 countries in 2018. Find her talking travel on KTLA TV and her YouTube videos with over 900,000 views. Lisa has contributed to AARP, American Airways, Jewish Journal, Ms. Magazine, Smithsonian, USA Today 10best and Wharton Magazine. She is writing a book, “Brave Rebel: 50 Scary Challenges Before 50,” about her most recent travels and challenges. Look for her underwater SCUBA diving, in her art studio making ceramics or helping people find their next dream trip.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
