Whitewater rafting and scenic float trips afford children unique opportunities to experience nature in a river environment. The river provides the conduit to watch various birds and animals in their natural habitats and enjoy the outdoors.
Special family trips are available on some rivers, on which you can take children, sometimes as young as four or five. Most outfitters recommend a minimum age limit on specific river trips. The age limits generally listed in their brochure or web site.
In addition to heeding the advice and recommendation of professional outfitters, parents are cautioned to consider a number of factors before taking children rafting. These considerations include the age of the child, time of year, length of trip, and difficulty of the trip.
Any of the river trips for children listed below should only be attempted with competent professional rafting outfitters, during the appropriate season and water level!
Alaska
Lowe
Located near Valdez in south-central Alaska, the Lowe’s easy Class II-III rapids can be enjoyed by anyone above the age of five years.
California
American (South Fork)
State’s most popular whitewater trip, in the heart of gold-rush country, has exciting daily trips for children during lower summer
waters.
Kern (Lower)
Controlled flows from Lake Isabella Reservoir provide highly popular rafting for children during July and August.
Klamath (Lower)
Popular half-day, one-day kids-only raft trips are available on the more mellow portions of the lower Klamath.
Trinity
Scenic single- or multiday trips of varying lengths through the Trinity National Forest are popular with families.
Pacific Northwest States
Washington · Oregon
Elwha, Washington
Excellent opportunity to children to experience mild whitewater and enjoy the wildlife in Olympic National Park.
Hoh, Washington
Mild water raft trip through the scenic Olympic rain forest is a unique experience.
Skagit (Upper), Washington
Adjacent to North Cascades National Park, a scenic beginning level whitewater favorite of families and during summer months.
Skagit (Eagle Float), Washington
Great opportunity for children to see bald eagles in their winter habitat.
Wenatchee, Washington
State’s most popular raft trip through renowned Wenatchee apple region has family rafting options during the
mid-summer.
Rogue
(Recreation), Oregon
Great introductory half-day, one-day and two-day trips for families in southern Oregon.
Northern Rocky Mountain States
Idaho · Montana · Wyoming
Lochsa (Float), Idaho
Half-day and one-day float trips are available during the summertime along U.S. Highway 12 near Lowell.
Blackfoot, Montana
Ideal introduction to whitewater for children as river passes through beautiful pine-forested rocky gorges just east of Missoula.
Flathead (Lower), Montana
Exciting, relatively easy, half-day introduction to rafting is popular with families.
Yellowstone, Montana
Popular easy-moderate level vacation rafting trip just north of Yellowstone National Park’s Mammoth Hot Springs
entrance.
Shoshone, Wyoming
Near the town of Cody, just an hour’s drive east of Yellowstone National Park, families will find a perfect introduction to whitewater
rafting.
Snake (Grand
Teton), Wyoming
One of the more memorable ways for children to enjoy the awesome beauty and wildlife of Grand Teton National Park is a scenic float trip on the Snake River.
Snake (Upper), Wyoming
A scenic float trip beginning just outside of Grand Teton National Park is popular with vacationing families.
Colorado
Animas (Lower)
A mild introduction to whitewater rafting with panoramic view of surrounding mountains begins in downtown Durango.
Arkansas (Salida-Parkdale)
The Arkansas most popular river stretch for easy rafting sections for families.
Colorado (Glenwood)
The most frequently rafted stretch of the Colorado, near the popular resort town of Glenwood Springs, has several raft trips each day for families.
Colorado (Upper)
The upper stretches of the Colorado feature mild water half-day trips in the Gore Canyon and State Bridge sections near Colorado’s renowned
resorts.
Gunnison (Upper)
Very easy raft trips through farmlands and rolling hills just north of Gunnison are enjoyed by families with young children.
Southwest States
Utah · Arizona · New Mexico · Texas
Green (Split Mountain Gorge), Utah
The Green River offers a great half-day trip for families through the Dinosaur National Monument’s Split Mountain Gorge east of
Vernal.
Colorado (Fisher
Towers), Utah
Easy raft trip through scenic canyons near Arches National Park just north of Moab.
Rio Grande (Pilar), New Mexico
Fairly continuous, but not difficult Class II-III whitewater in a scenic canyon south of Taos make the Pilar section a popular destination for families and first time rafters.
Northeast States
Maine · New York · Massachusetts · Vermont
Kennebec (Carry Brook), Maine
Less demanding but enjoyable half-day trip below the Kennebec Gorge that can be enjoyed by families, seniors or anyone wishing to enjoy the northern forest wilderness at a more leisurely pace.
Sacandaga, New York
An inexpensive, two-hour introduction to whitewater rafting for anyone aged 5 and above near Lake George.
Mid-Atlantic States
Pennsylvania · Maryland · West Virginia · Virginia
Lehigh (Section III), Pennsylvania
Relaxing family-oriented trips in Pocono Mountains during low-water summer months.
Youghiogheny (Middle), Pennsylvania
Easy raft trips for families and seniors in the picturesque Laurel Mountains in southwestern Pennsylvania during low-water summer months.
New (Upper), West Virginia
The upper section of the New River is well suited for families wanting a friendly introduction to whitewater rafting.
Shenandoah, West Virginia
An enjoyable introductory rafting experience through the Blue Ridge Mountains adjacent to the historic town of Harpers Ferry of Civil War fame.
Southeast States
Georgia · South Carolina · North Carolina · Tennessee · Kentucky
Nantahala, North Carolina
The easy whitewaters of North Carolina’s most popular rafting trip, which flows through ancient Cherokee tribal lands, are a favorite for
families.
Tuckaseigee, North Carolina
Easy whitewater is ideal for families with children as young as four years. Good opportunity to learn paddling skills with inflatable kayaks.
French Broad (Section IX), North Carolina
During summer months an ideal introductory river for families as it is neither too demanding nor technically difficult.
Nolichucky (Family), Tennessee
During the summer months, when water levels become too low for large rafts, outfitters offer guided trips for families using small rafts and inflatable kayaks.
Big Pigeon, Tennessee
Good non-technical introductory raft with lots of moderate whitewater just north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Watauga (Section V), Tennessee
Great beginning-level raft trip whose friendly Class II+ whitewater is easy enough for families with small children. Scenic course featuring limestone bluffs, old farms, homesteads and hardwood trees.
Western Canada
British Columbia · Alberta
Bow, Alberta
One of the more unique ways for children to enjoy western Alberta’s world-renowned Banff National Park is a scenic float trip on the Bow River.
Eastern Canada
Ontario · Quebec
Madawaska, Ontario
Dam controlled waters, just east of Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park, provide an ideal opportunity for families with small children to safely enjoy whitewater rafting.
Costa Rica
Rio Corobici
Walt-Disney style nature float trip with hundreds of species of birds plus iguanas, other species of lizards, and playful howler monkeys.
Rio Sarapiqui
Choice of two popular easy river trips that include easy whitewaters through jungle and pastoral farm environments.
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