BEST OF THE WEEK
All
- All
- Advanced Maneuvers
- Advanced Rescue Systems
- Apparel & Comfort
- Basic Paddle Strokes
- Choosing an Outfitter & Booking
- Destinations & Trips
- First Aid & Preparation
- Foundational Safety Rules
- Frames & Rigging
- Gear & Equipment
- Getting Started
- Guiding & Commands
- History & Culture
- International River Guides
- Knowledge Hub
- Multi-Day & Expedition Guides
- Oar Rowing Techniques
- Paddles & Oars
- Paddling & River Skills
- Rafting Terminology
- Rafting vs. Other Sports
- Rafts & Inflatable Boats
- Reading Whitewater
- River Science & Hydrology
- Safety & Rescue
- Safety & Rescue Equipment
- Self-Rescue & Raft Recovery
- Trip Planning & Logistics
- USA Southeast & Appalachia
- USA West & Sierra
- Whitewater Swimming
4 Inflatable Raft Floor Types and When to Use Them
Bucket, I-beam & drop-stitch raft floors compared: 8–10 psi standing decks vs keel-like tracking, plus weight, denier & cost trade-offs.
BEST EQUIPMENT
All
- All
- Advanced Maneuvers
- Advanced Rescue Systems
- Apparel & Comfort
- Basic Paddle Strokes
- Choosing an Outfitter & Booking
- Destinations & Trips
- First Aid & Preparation
- Foundational Safety Rules
- Frames & Rigging
- Gear & Equipment
- Getting Started
- Guiding & Commands
- History & Culture
- International River Guides
- Knowledge Hub
- Multi-Day & Expedition Guides
- Oar Rowing Techniques
- Paddles & Oars
- Paddling & River Skills
- Rafting Terminology
- Rafting vs. Other Sports
- Rafts & Inflatable Boats
- Reading Whitewater
- River Science & Hydrology
- Safety & Rescue
- Safety & Rescue Equipment
- Self-Rescue & Raft Recovery
- Trip Planning & Logistics
- USA Southeast & Appalachia
- USA West & Sierra
- Whitewater Swimming
RAFTING SAFETY
Best USA Rafting Trips: Expert-Graded by Skill & Season
The definitive guide to the best USA rafting trips. We expert-grade iconic rivers—from the Grand Canyon to the Gauley—by skill, season & permit data.
Denver
overcast clouds
61.8
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64.8
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59.4
°
47 %
1.4mph
90 %
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85
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Sat
95
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Sun
93
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Mon
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U.S. RAFTING SPOTS
How Dams Affect Rivers: A Rafter’s Guide to Flow & Safety
A rafter's definitive guide to the impact of dams. We break down the science of altered flows, sediment traps & thermal shock into actionable safety tips.





































