I'm wanting to take the family on a weekend whitewater rafting trip. Where's the best place to go that provides all of the equipment and isn't too hardcore?
The answer to your question depends heavily on what locations you can access for a relatively short vacation (weekend). If you can make it Jackson, Wyoming you will find a great family whitewater trip with Mad River Boat Trips. Mad River has the best equipment, most professional and highly trained guide team, and most importantly they have the most fun of all rafting outfits that I have experience with. "Mad-River"http://www.mad-river.com
If you are on the East Coast and need a closer trip, I would recommend heading to "almost heaven" West Virginia, leave the jokes behind you, and find some great whitewater that ranges from the best and most intense in the world on the Gaulley in the Fall to great family fun on The New River, year round. "Ace Raft"http://www.aceraft.com
5 Answers
The answer to your question depends heavily on what locations you can access for a relatively short vacation (weekend). If you can make it Jackson, Wyoming you will find a great family whitewater trip with Mad River Boat Trips. Mad River has the best equipment, most professional and highly trained guide team, and most importantly they have the most fun of all rafting outfits that I have experience with. "Mad-River"http://www.mad-river.com
If you are on the East Coast and need a closer trip, I would recommend heading to "almost heaven" West Virginia, leave the jokes behind you, and find some great whitewater that ranges from the best and most intense in the world on the Gaulley in the Fall to great family fun on The New River, year round. "Ace Raft"http://www.aceraft.com
I second Ace Raft in WV. I used to lead freshman orientation trips in college as a student and have been there since numerous times with friends. The Gaulley is a world class river and the guides that run the New through Ace, also run the Gaulley. So you get the most experienced guides you can imagine. You'll have a great time and there's plenty to do at the Ace facility, aside from rafting like Horseback riding, a ropes course, mountain biking trails, and a nice lake with inflatables and stuff for kids.
I agree with the WV suggestions. The New River is a good one and still not too crazy. I also recommend the Ocoee River. It is in south-eastern Tennessee in the corner of TN, GA, and NC. It is a little tamer than the New, but still a lot of fun, and good for the whole family. There are a wealth of guide companies to choose from. The upper portion is where they did the olympic kayaking events when the games were in Atlanta.
Noah's Ark in CO. They have everything from class 1-5 and a very experienced staff. I find rafting in the west more enjoyable than the east, but thats just my preference.
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The South Fork of the American River near Sacramento, California is a fun one or two day trip with no rapids over Class III:
http://www.aorafting.com/river/south-fork-american/two-day-trips.htm
I have also read that the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho is one of the best trips in the country, but have not yet had the opportunity to go.