Rafting in the Land of Enchantment

There are many things that contribute to New Mexico’s nickname. Perhaps you were lucky enough to visit Albuquerque in October to catch the world’s largest international hot air balloon festival. Maybe you’ve had the opportunity to travel the hypnotizing expanse of desert wonderland. If you’re anything like us, one of the most enchanting aspects of New Mexico’s richness was its majestic natural formations.

As your white water rafting experts, we’ve selected an assortment of trips put on by Kokopelli Rafting Adventures that capture the natural and cultural history of this awe inspiring region:

The Racecourse: This is the most popular trip offered by Kokopelli Rafting and is a great one for beginners. It is a fun, fast paced stretch of river with class III+ rapids in the high water of early spring. The trip is a half-day packed with excitement. Minimum age for this one is only 7, but this can occasionally be raised due to changes in water level.

Taos Box: This one day trip is one of the best of its kind in the U.S. and for obvious reasons. The first part of the trip includes a bit of flat water to allow for some instruction and practice paddling. Soon after, however, the gorge deepens and rafters are met with several class III and IV rapids, one after another. An all-you-can-eat buffet is included for lunch, as well as polar fleece tops and splash suits for your comfort.

Rio Chama: Filled with beautiful, remote landscapes and plenty of wildlife, this 2 or 3 day trip is great for families with a sense of adventure. Minimum age is 6 and rapids vary from class II to class III. Rafters also have the option to use inflatable kayaks or “duckies”. This trip is in high demand and has limited availability, so get signed up early!

White Rock Canyon: Kokopelli guides lead adventurers through the ancient lands of the Anasazi, some of which will serve as campsites for this 2 to 3 day trip. You will enjoy delicious meals prepared by expert guides and have the opportunity to explore the area before another day of excitement. This will be a memorable and fascinating experience for the whole family!

Whitewater Adventures South of the Border

In the spirit of winter, we’ve decided to take this blog post south of the border to a land where “December” and “white water rafting” can be used in the same sentence without getting weird looks. For those of you that just can’t wait another 4 or 5 months for the sun to come back around, this may come as an answer to prayers. We enthusiastically invite you to follow your birdlike intuition and migrate to either/both of these South American paradises.

Rio Upano, Ecuador: Filled with some of the most exotic and beautiful scenery in the world, this trip is guaranteed to be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. The cultural aspect of the area adds to the wonder, as visitors will be rafting through the land of the Shuar Indians that live along the river banks. Rapids vary from class II to class IV and the minimum age is 15.

Futaleufu, Chile: Earth River Expeditions gives rafters an incredibly unique experience while also providing them with luxuries such as cliffside dining and private camps. These camps are equipped with hot showers, riverside stone hot tubs, as well as tree houses and cliff dwellings with beds. Aside from exciting adventures on the river, guests will have the opportunity to try rock climbing, kayaking, fly fishing, zip lining, horseback riding and much more.

Aside from being just plain awesome, these white water rafting trips are both offered at times of the year when the rest of us are bundled up, dreaming of warmer days. What better way to get away from the cold than to go rafting in paradise?

Top 10 Summer Rafting Destinations

The United States is abundant with raging rivers perfect for rafting. From north to south and east to west, there is something for everyone when it comes to summer rafting destinations. 

Middle Fork Salmon River in Idaho is one of the world’s most popular with rapids up to class IV and amazing scenery to match. Rafters can expect this 105-mile tributary to the Main Salmon River to drop 3000 feet along the way, and over 300 rapids.  

Nantahala River in North Carolina is the most popular rafting destination in the Southeast and one of the oldest rivers worldwide. The name comes from the Indian word which means “land of the noonday sun.” Rapids range from class II-III, eventually emptying into Fontana Lake. Over 250 feet deep and cool water year-round, this a perfect summer destination to cool off from the southern heat.

Menominee River separates Wisconsin from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Besides boasting the best rafting next to the Colorado River (why this comparison? Is it similar in some way?), this area also features scenic wildlife and numerous campgrounds and boat launching areas. The Pier’s Gorge area features some of the fast moving water paired with beautiful scenery and wildlife.

Skykomish River in Washington is for the thrill seeker, featuring class V rapids, an impressive series of fast moving rapids, and a finale at the famous “Boulder Drop.” Trips to Skykomish River are ideal for summer destinations as the season runs from April to early August.

Tuolumne River in California is perfect for a summer trip as it is just 30 minutes outside of Yosemite National Park, in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Main Tuolomne features class IV-V rapids for moderate rafters and Cherry Creek features V+ rapids for experts only. Runs start at Meral’s Pool and end at Ward’s Ferry after an 18 mile ride through slalom rapids.

Flathead River in Montana’s Glacier Park is ideal for a summer getaway with tons to do between the scenery, wildlife, and 275 miles of thrilling rapids. The Middle Fork of the Flathead River features class II-III rapids and the North Fork with class I-II rapids, perfect for groups with mixed experience levels.

Hudson River Gorge in New York is best in the summer when visitors can enjoy riverside lunches or a swim. Rated one of the top 10 whitewater rafting runs in America, Hudson River features 500 feet of granite cliffs and thrilling rapids. Some of the best known rapids are Givney’s Rift, Greyhound Bus Stopper and the Narrows.

Lochsa River in Idaho has 40 class III-IV rapids and a steep gradient. Known for its challenging rapids, like Bloody Mary and the Grim Reaper, trips to Lochsa River will not disappoint. The river is also known for its combination of speed and volume of water making navigating this river like none other.

Ocoee River in Tennessee features rapid classes III-IV and over 20 continuous rapids. In addition to the rafting, visitors can also enjoy the wildlife and scenery of Cherokee National Forest, which the Ocoee flows through. Ocoee is one of the top locations in the south and also the site of the 1996 Summer Olympics, featuring the mile long Olympic course and rafting area.

Lehigh River Gorge located in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains is the ideal summer vacation destination for families, featuring class I-III rapids in addition to other exploration and recreation activities in the area. Several trips also take rafters through the scenic Lehigh River State Park.

How to determine if you are an Expert or a Beginner

No matter if it is your first time in a raft or your fiftieth time, whitewater rafting can provide thrills for people of all ages and skill levels. But knowing your skill level is important when choosing your rafting destination.

Knowing how rivers are classified is the first step. Rivers are rated using a class scale to define both the technicality and size of the whitewater. Class I rivers have a slower current, smaller and lower waves, and no obstructions. Often these are labeled as “Scenic Floats”.  Class II rivers feature rapids up to three feet in height with wide channels and high visibility. Some light maneuvering is required. Class III features rapids up to four feet with narrower passages and the guarantee that water will come gushing into your raft. Moderate maneuvering is needed here. Navigating a class I-III rivers are not too difficult and ideal for younger children.

Class IV rivers are longer and feature more difficult rapids, narrower passages, and turbulent waters. Precise maneuvering is required. Class V is the highest level and most difficult with more complexity and larger amounts of water, in addition to the challenges of a Class IV rapid. Class V rivers should only be navigated by experts and many rafting companies will not even take guests on Class V rapids.

If you are already familiar with the classification system, you are probably not a beginner, but you might not be an expert either. Chances are if you have not been formally trained or certified, but you have been whitewater rafting before, you might fall into the moderate or intermediate category. It really comes down to knowing your strengths and weaknesses. Many people who have been rafting before may not want a guide but guides are great for individuals of all levels of experience because they can offer navigation and safety information you may not otherwise be aware of. Tour companies can also give you additional information if you have questions. Using a guide or going on a tour through a company is your safest option, no matter your skill level.

Even if you are an expert, if you are in a group with beginners or moderate rafters, you should be mindful of everyone’s skill level in your group. Most rafts hold 8 people so the skill levels of each individual are important to know before trying to maneuver and navigate your way down a river.