Whitewater Classification

And, let's face it. No words can describe a whitewater rafting trip. Blow by blow accounts of cleverly named rapids and imposing cliff faces tend to have all the excitement of your uncle's vacation slides.

So none of that. GORP has picked out 40 of our favorite whitewater trips. In making the case for our personal favorites, we've emphasized the facts. But hey, it's all quirky, subjective opinion. Every river has its own personality: its unique balance of wildwater, geology, wildlife, and yes, human culture. Some trips emphasize scenery, or wildlife, or rollicking rides. The great ones have all three.

Our selections for each region have three categories. First we picked out the Top Three. These are the trips that are on the tip of everyone's tongue when discussing a region's great river trips. Most of these trips are multi-day affairs, offering a chance to flee civilization and sink into the rhythms of the river—to (re)learn how to go with the flow. We've also picked out what we call The Wildest One, the most intense, most rollicking, most dare-we-say gnarly commercially-run whitewater a region has to offer. And we have a category we're calling Don't Tell Anyone, the undiscovered secrets that river trippers are reluctant to mention, but once you get them started their eyes brighten and their speech quickens. Try as they might, their excitement is impossible to conceal.

Click to select a region

In making our choices, we've tended to go for the rivers with the big personalities. But you know how it goes, when it comes to the outdoors, sometimes it's the out-of-the-way places that carry the strongest charge, that will become a touchpoint of your life.

Whitewater Classifications Most experts use a I to VI rating system for whitewater difficulty. Here's a quick rundown of what to expect from each classification: I – Small rapids with low waves and no obstructions. II – More frequent rapids with few or no obstructions. III – Waves up to four feet, with some maneuvering around obstructions. IV – Very difficult, extended rapids. Scouting is necessary. V – Long and violent rapids. Large waves that are unavoidable. Complex course. Scouting is a must. VI – Maximum difficulty. Involves serious risk of life.

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