Summer is here!! Take a break and spend quality time with your family and friends. There are many popular adventures to do in summer and one of the amazing adventures is rafting. Rafting is a sports activity where you can experience some of the most scenic and wilderness areas. And you can also make new friends while rafting. Here you have the best national parks in the United States for rafting during summer.
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most visited and popular national parks located in northwestern Arizona which is close to the borders of Nevada and Utah. This park offers lots of activities during summer. One of the popular activities is rafting. You will feel an unparalleled experience while rafting through the Grand Canyon.
The best time to raft the Grand Canyon is from April to October which is the commercial season but it is open all year round. And it actually depends on what you are looking for, but many prefer summer because of the best whitewater. If you look at the variations over the year, the weather, the water level of the river, and the number of trips on the water are mostly noticed. The Grand Canyon is an amazing park with mind-blowing geology, valuable historical sites, and many more which will leave the best impression.
Places for Rafting in Grand Canyon National Park
- Arizona River Runners
- Grand Canyon Whitewater
Glacier National Park
Grab the opportunity to turn your experience in and around the Glacier National Park which is located in northwestern Montana just by a rafting tour that will treasure you for a lifetime. Glacier Raft Company is the most experienced rafting company and it is also the longest-running company. The headwaters of this park originates from the glaciers which are high in the mountains above.
They offer daily and multi-day scenic whitewater rafting trips. This makes your vacation feel more complete than your ordinary vacation and it is also easy to get to the Glacier National Park. The popular stretch of the river makes a valley between the towering mountains which is accessible along Route 2 for a day trip. You also have many adventure types for a multi-day trip like charter a bush plane and fly deep into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. You will have a beautiful time, impressive scenery, and the electric green water which will make you feel complete.
Places for Rafting in Glacier National Park
- Glacier Outfitters
Gates Of The Arctic National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park rafting takes place in the Alaska river in an inflatable canoe is an amazing way to experience the Last Frontier. The Noatak River will drain the mighty, cover the Brooks Range and move through the tundra of the North Slope.
This park is the largest watershed in North America. You will feel more fun and efficient while traveling through the Alaska wilderness along the river. Alaska rivers used to shape the landscapes and strengthen a broad array of life within their corridors. The adventures in Alaska Alpine have been guiding the remote, multi-day wilderness river rafting trips for almost twenty years and the journey has taken from the clear waters of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to the waters common in the Alaska Range. The rafting trips in this park are limited to eight guests and you will be assured to have safety measures, excellent organization, and being solitude.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park lies in California and there are so many activities available in this park. One of the popular activities is Rafting which takes place in Merced River and it is an extraordinary place to test the waters. The Merced River goes through the Yosemite Valley which is under the iconic features of El Capitan and Half Dome. And this river is an excellent choice for those who want to adventure rafting with amazing views. The Merced River runs high and faster at peak snowmelt, making it a Class IV run.
There are many other outfitters at many locations along the river to choose from. Rafting is a seasonal activity in mid-summer where you and your family can float blissfully along in inflatable boats.
Places for Rafting in Yosemite National Park
- Merced River
- Yosemite Outfitters
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is located in southwest Texas on the Mexican borders. The Rio Grande is an excellent rafting destination that carries you to canons over 1500 feet high. You can float along the international boundary and you can see the colorful mesas of Mexico in the river bends. The rafting trips in this park float on Class I- III through extremely beautiful canyons. And there are more options for rafting trips on the Rio Grande.
The stretches of Rio Grande vary from open and mountainous landscape to high-walled narrow canyons. In the lower canyons, you can experience remote river camps, challenging whitewater, and a sky filled with stars.
Places for Rafting in Big Bend National Park
- Colorado Canyon
- Santa Elena Canyon
- Boquillas Canyon
- Lower Canyons
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is found within the region of the Colorado Plateau, which is located just outside of Moab, Utah. It is the most wired, magical, and wonderful place on the earth which is about 527 square miles. Canyonlands offers many activities like rafting, camping, hiking, backpacking, and biking. One of the most popular activities from April through May is rafting. The Colorado and Green Rivers bisect the sandstone canyon country. In summer, the Colorado River has a normal flow and Cataract Canyon rafting trips offer you a friendly whitewater experience. You can see multi-million- year old rock formations, towering cliff walls, and hidden slot canyons when you go rafting.
Places for Rafting in Canyonlands National Park
- Colorado River Rafting through Cataract Canyon
- Cataract Canyon Whitewater Rafting
- Stillwater Rafting
- John Wesley Powell Retrace Whitewater Rafting
North Cascades National Park
The North Cascades National Park is a well-known park for glaciated peaks when compared with the rivers. During summer, the Skagit River receives the alpine’s bounty. It comes directly from the glaciers which are above and the water is a very cold emerald torrent that features up to Class III rapids, bald eagles galore, and spawning salmon. The dark and rough peaks of the Cascades loom overhead while you float through a primeval forest with the towering fir. And this makes the North Cascades a more unique and fascinating place.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited park in the nation. If you are planning for a rafting trip, don’t miss to experience Smoky Mountain whitewater rafting. The Big Pigeon River is a dam-controlled river that releases more water. The river flows northwest from western North California to eastern Tennessee.
The Big Pigeon ranges from Class I to Class IV where you can choose the white water rafting adventures. It shows up to Class III whitewater, amazing scenery, good swimming holes, and you will have a great experience in the Great Smoky Mountains. If you are not sure about rafting, the rangers will be there to guide you.
Places for Rafting in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Big Pigeon River Rafting