Choose By Area
As we offer so many rafting trips in California, it can be difficult to know where to start. This page will assist you in selecting a raft trip by location ie. where you will driving from on the day of the trip.
Many of our trips are located close to popular tourist destinations like Lake Tahoe, the Gold Country and Yosemite, making a rafting trip the perfect addition to your California Vacation. You might also just want a trip that can be driven to and to return home in the same day, so we include selections by many cities.
Choose By Spice Level
Not sure where you want to go? Let us know how spicy you want your trip! We offer trips from mild to wild for beginners to adrenaline junkies. Choose from the options below to browse trips that match your skill level.
When you are choosing your California rafting trip, you should look at the youngest, most timid or least active member in your party. With a wide range of California rafting trips, we really do have something for everyone.
White water rafting faqs
The categories below show the International Scale of River Difficulty. The descriptions may sound rather scary, but remember, the descriptions are primarily designed for the inexperienced boater with no professional training.
In general, Class III is of moderate difficulty – plenty of thrills and ideal if you have never been whitewater rafting before. Class IV is more challenging but some are fine for adventurous first timers. Class V is the most difficult and should only be undertaken by strong swimmers with previous Class IV whitewater experience. The difficulty of a river often increases one level during the high water of Spring months. Please check out Choosing Your California Rafting Trip for the rivers we offer by level of difficulty. If any doubt, please call us for assistance in selection.
Class I – Easy: Waves are small, regular; riffles.
Class II – Medium: Rapids of medium difficulty; swift current, passages are wide and clear.
Class III – Difficult: Waves numerous, high, irregular; rocks, eddies, rapids with passages that are clear though narrow, requiring expertise in maneuvering.
Class IV – Very Difficult: Long rapids, waves powerful and irregular; dangerous rocks, boiling eddies; powerful and precise maneuvering required.
Class V – Extremely Difficult: Long and violent rapids following each other almost without interruption; riverbed extremely obstructed; big drops, violent current, very steep gradient.
Class VI – Unnavigable: The upper extreme of whitewater rivers, commercially unrunnable.