Whitewater Rafting on the West Coast With a Guide – What to Expect

Adventure Is Calling

When I think of White Water Rafting, I think of being in a raft with eight strangers flopping around like a fish out of water. But, boy, was I wrong!

Meet the Author!

Kim Duke

Guide At a Glance

- Price Range:

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- Physical Difficulty:

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- Time Required:

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Your Next Quest

How do you go whitewater rafting?

Let’s talk about the different levels of White Water Rafting to give you an idea of how these activities differ.

Class I: Floating down the river with no vertical drops is safe for the whole family, and there is not much speed increase.
Class II: Still a comfortable speed, young children will be able to participate in this activity; you can expect 1–3-foot waves.
Class III: Guide recommended, the raft will jerk around, you will find quite a bit of recovery between quick downstream pulls. Everyone will need to paddle and know basic recovery techniques. Young children may not be appropriate for this level of activity.
Class IV: At this level, you will potentially confront narrow paths and obstacles. Recovery from speed increases. Not suitable for children.
Class V: If you are not an expert with years of experience, you will find yourself in a dangerous situation. You can expect large waves, intense drops, boulders, and dramatic pulls on your raft.
Class VI: This is considered unnavigable, and no one is permitted to be rafting, swimming, or any activity in these conditions.

The intriguing aspect of White River Rafting is that it is like being on a natural roller coaster that everyone can enjoy. You can go with a group of friends, family, and the kids.

Once again, it is crucial to choose the class level suitable for everyone in your group!

Teach me your ways!

Everyone participating should assist with paddling, comprehend and follow guide instructions, and perform overboard harm reduction techniques in case of mishaps.

If you are interested in Class III White River Rafting (or above), then hiring a guide is highly recommended. You need to forecast conditions, read the water, attain the proper safety gear, and know what to do if things go wayside.

6-8 man rafts are the most common sizes, with the smallest commercial rafts just containing four people, and the largest up to 12!

As a paddler, it’s your job to listen to your guide and follow commands. While verbal commands may vary from place to place, here are the basics:

Paddle Forward: Paddle forwards in sync with everyone else in the boat! The front two paddlers opposite each other must watch each other; all others should follow the man in front.
Paddle Backward: Paddle backwards in sync with everyone else in the boat! The front two paddlers opposite each other must watch each other; all others should follow the man in front.
Left Back: Left-side of raft paddles backwards; right-side paddles forwards.
Right Back: Right-side of raft paddles backwards; left-side paddles forwards.
Stop: All paddlers stop paddling and wait for the next command.
High Side: Paddlers should throw their bodyweight towards the high side of a boat to keep it from flipping over. Stay seated; just lean.
Lean In: All paddlers should stop paddling, hunker down and lean into the center of the boat. You may want to grab the safety line, too!

Sometimes guides will tack on a number, usually meaning the number of strokes. A command like “Forward 2!” would mean that everyone would paddle forwards for two strokes, and then stop.

Need some inspiration?

Still undecided?

PROS

CONS

Inspire

Where and When to Go?

Biome

Whitewater rafting is a mountain sport! The best Class III, IV and V rapids are found in mountainous states.

In the East Coast, rafting is often found along the spine of Appalachian mountains, especially the rainy Alleghenies in the Mid-Atlantic and the southern Blue Ridge mountains.

Along the West Coast, the entire coast is just waiting! Coastal mountains along the Pacific beaches of California, Oregon and Washington offer some of the best whitewater rafting adventures in the world.

Season

Whitewater rafting requires high, fast water!

Generally, it’s a spring and early summer sport. Peak months are April – June, although rafting season may begin as early as March and extend as late as August in some areas.

Along the West Coast, you may have some options for year-round routes, but the best experience is when those glaciers in the mountains start to melt and produce waterfalls and plenty of water to guide you. Therefore, it is important to research where you’re going to see if they are open year-round, like the White Salmon River in Washington.

Peak rafting season for natural rivers may last for as few as 3-4 weeks depending on snowmelt. Dam-controlled rivers may offer many months of good rafting, particularly on weekends when the dam opens for weekend recreation.

Regions

The West Coast has some of the most impressive rapids you will get the chance to experience. I may be partial to California, with the whole being born here and all, but Washington and Oregon go head-to-head for some of the top spots for White Water Rafting.

You should expect the water to be ice cold, which is not so bad on a hot summer day, but it is not a pleasant temperature in the off-season.

Your surrounding may change drastically through your adventure. For example, you might find yourself rafting downriver though you might start or end in a lake. Either way, you are now an object of nature’s beauty surrounded by mountains, hills, forests, and waterfalls.

Where do you find these magical routes? Of course, there are plenty of places on the East Coast but, once again, I am impartial to the West Coast, so we are going to talk about what Washington, Oregon, and California have to offer you:

Washington

Washington possesses some beautiful scenery, and there is no exception when talking about the White Salmon River. This is considered a Class III with route options adventure.

You will be starting at the glaciers on Mt. Adams, traveling through beautiful forests, and ending in Columbia River Gorge. Honorable highlight: On this adventure, you will also be seeing Husum Falls, which happens to be the most photographed waterfall in Washington.

Oregon

Let’s travel down to Oregon, where 58 rivers await you and your traveling buddies. North Umpqua River, known for its clear green waters and natural hot springs, is an obvious choice in the sea of choices (pun intended).

Some popular White Water Rafting options are Class III Horseshoe Bend to Gravel Bin or Class IV option Pinball. Though I find this to be the most scenic of choices, please read about Rogue River in Oregon and all it has to offer.

California

As a born native to Northern California, I am happy to have the opportunity to say that Northern California has arguably the best rapids on the West Coast. According to the SF Chronicle, “The drought might be bad, but California river rafting is the best in decades.”

What are the top choices in Northern California? Two stand out amongst others, but they are not for the faint of heart.

Middle Fork of the American River is a Class IV 16-mile stretch with a route that can become a Class V option by going through an 80-foot tunnel and drops into a pool. Tuolumne River also offers Class IV-V options. However, you must know your route or experience how the river runs because it also offers complicated route options that should not be attempted unless you are a trained expert.

Essential Outdoor Skills

What outdoor and survival skills should I master before embarking?

Someone in your group should have all three skills listed below. If you have a guide, they will have all the necessary training for the activity.

Ability to swim in strong currents and escape recirculating holes
CPR and basic wilderness first aid
Basic rafting commands (see Teach Me Your Ways! section0

Numbers to remember

is about the coolest water you should be in without a wetsuit.

0 deg

is a typical rafting speed on high-flow whitewater rivers.

0 mph

Safety & Risk

Is this adventure for you?

Warning! Spending time in the Great Outdoors can be hazardous. Inclement weather, broken gear, poor judgment, failing transportation, freak accidents, bad luck and Acts of God can befall you at any time. You participate in adventure at your own risk.

Read this article, 10 Whitewater Rafting Safety Tips, by Raft Masters that gives you some essential tips to keep you safe during your adventure.

DO'S

DONT'S!

Wildlife

What animals can I expect to encounter?

You are in the water of the Northwest, so what you can expect is possibly beautiful species of birds, salmon, and other fish, and if you’re lucky, maybe some otters.

During a salmon run, you might be lucky enough to see a black bear fishing in the riffles!

In higher elevations of the PNW, you might see mountain goats. In lower semi-arid regions, you might see antelope or mule deer.

If you are camping at a nearby National Park, I recommend researching what nature friend you might accompany on land.

Typically, any wildlife you encounter will avoid and carry on. Some important reminders:

Do not feed the wildlife
Clean up after yourself always
Respect their space as much as possible

Fitness & Training

What is the recommended level of fitness?

Some adventures require months of preparation, and I am happy to report that this does not require much preparation. However, it would be best if you had some upper body strength as you will have to assist with padding and hang onto the raft’s ropes.

I would recommend researching any weight restrictions associated with your rentals or guides services you may be using.

Training and preparation exercise regimen

There is no extensive regimen necessary to prepare for this activity. You’re welcome!

However, to be able to deal with fast waters, you need to be somewhat physically fit. To prepare yourself for the rafting, you can introduce prep training three times per week, which will include:

Jogging or walking uphill at 3 x 20 minutes per week.
Push-ups, pull-ups, or similar upper body workout at least 3 x 10 sections x 3 times per week.

Gear Guide

What gear do I need for this trip?

Required Gear

Keeping your skin covered and your bones intact should be your biggest priority no matter your participating activity. You will need a raft, helmet, life vest, river shoes that won’t fall off, and navigation.

Supporting Gear

Safety rope
Change of clothes
Solar battery
Map
First aid kit

Accessories & Apps

You should always pack light but bring the things to keep you comfortable while you are out on the water.

Sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, Chapstick are all sun protectants that will ensure to minimize any UV damage.

Speaking of heat, be sure you pack hydration. As a guide might tell you, drinking from this water might be tempting, but it should not be trusted unless you filter the water.

Finances & Budget

What are the costs associated with this adventure?

No one should have to be flush with cash to experience the thrill of White Water Rafting, so we found some options that might make it easy on your wallet to plan your trip:

The good thing is you can choose the trip that matches your budget. For example, if you are selecting a 3-day trip, it will be substantially more expensive than a 3-hour day trip.

Guide Services – You can expect to pay $60-$300 per person depending on how long you require guide services.

Equipment – If you are hitting the water without a guide, you have the option of splitting the cost of equipment amongst your group, but this is probably not the most cost-efficient option. I recommend researching eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and local selling platforms for used equipment at a moderate price.

Rental Equipment – You can rent your gear and rafts from the local rental services, and the bigger the group, the better the cost. Roughly, you can expect to pay $75-150 for a 4-6 person raft, and you should expect miscellaneous expenses such as damage waiver, hold-on debit cards, launch fees, etc.

Food & Beverage – For a quick day trip, you should budget $100-200 for the group nutrition and hydration, depending on the size of your group and the length of your trip.

Insider Tips

Here's what most people don't know!

Never bring cotton clothing with you to rafting – cotton gets soaked too quickly and it is very heavy, thus it can be very dangerous to have that extra weight on your body in such conditions.
Go to the toilet before the tour – there will be no breaks for you to use the toiled once you board the raft!
Use SFP30 at least to protect yourself from the sun, and apply it regularly every two hours (even though you are rafting in the mountains, the sun can be very dangerous, and it can still give you burns).

What does no one tell you?

Keep a foot tucked into between the bottom or sides of the watercraft. It’ll help you stay tucked in when the boat jolts or dives.

FAQ

Can I bring my family and friends with me?

Class III-Class V activities may not be suitable for young children. Call your guide service or visit the website to determine what activities are family-friendly.

Is there an age or health restriction?

Yes, there is an age restriction based on the type of river you have chosen for the rafting. Kids of the age of 5 are allowed only on very calm waters, with no slopes – class I rivers. Class V and VI rivers are reserved only for adults in excellent physical condition.

How do I use the bathroom?

If nature calls and conditions permit, the river itself may be used as a bathroom. However, it may not be ideal for everyone watching. If it is a quick day trip waiting until you reach your site may be more comfortable.

How do I get there?

See Notes on transportation in the Finances & Budget section.

What's the best time of year to go?

See notes in the “Where and When to Go?” section.

Are there guided tours available for this activity?

Usually, every raft will have a skipper – a person who will “manage” the raft, be the tour, and be the one to provide first aid, since they are trained to take care of the safety of the activity that is performed.