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With the warmer months comes a multitude of recreational opportunities. River rafting is one of the most popular summer activities and with good reason. Rafting is available to everyone. Regardless of age or ability, an idyllic river experience awaits! If you’re looking for an outdoors experience like none other, rafting is absolutely for you.

The activity of river rafting usually evokes an image of sizable yellow rafts full of life-jacketed smiling faces atop ferocious looking white-capped rapids, yet this isn’t all that’s available to this sport. In fact, there are at least 8 more ways to enjoy rafting down a river that utilizes craft designed for flat-water, scenic rafting, and personal experiences too!

Best Months for Rafting

Whether it’s your first time taking on a raft, or you’ve become a seasoned rafter, planning each river experience is all about determining appropriate ability level and settling on an available location. Rafting is most popular in the US during the months of May through September, depending upon water levels.

Scenic Rafting

Scenic rafting tours are abundant. This is a one-of-a-kind experience and popular because rafters can opt for 1/2 or full day excursions. Scenic trips are perfect for singles to meet others and also for more inexperienced swimmers who aren’t yet ready to navigate quicker rapids.

8-man rafts and larger are typical for scenic rafting trips, but guided tours also include drift-based experiences on smaller craft. No matter your family size, there is absolutely a scenic rafting trip ready to whisk you through breathtaking canyons and wilderness.

Flat-water Rafting

Akin to scenic rafting, a flat-water experience is equally inspiring and will take riders across deep water with low-intensity rapids. Flat-water raft rides are ideal for all ages and allow riders to get a little wet creating excitement and guaranteed good times.

Navigating flat-waters is a soothing experience and allows rafters to see wildlife and capture photographs galore. Often referred to as float-trips, these adventures can also be booked overnight and throughout areas teeming with guaranteed favorable conditions and abundant nature landscapes.

White-water Rafting

The ultimate in rafting experience comes white-water rafting. These trips are only for intermediate swimmers who are seeking an action-packed, interactive ride. A 5-mile ride will cost around $50.

If you’re in the market for a family trip, check-out the 1/2 day to 2-day excursions. White-water rafting trips like these are available in areas like The Gorge, the Colorado River, and outside of the US in Chile, Costa Rica, and Canada.

Solo Rafting Experience

Solo rafting can be self-guided or among a group of other singles. Equipment ranges from tubing equipment to multi-passenger rafts.

Planning a Rafting Experience

Top locations for rafting include Montana, New Mexico, Colorado, Tennessee, Georgia, California, Wyoming, and Oregon. With 250,000 rivers in the US, however, you’re certain to have access to any number of rafting experiences. The first step in planning a trip is assessing swimmer ability and next, how much time you have to enjoy your float.

Now that you’ve been inspired by more ways than ever to enjoy the sport of rafting down a river, it’s time to go! Plan your weekend get-away now. The opportunity for enriching life experience is just around the corner, and don’t forget to capture the memories!