| Whitewater rafting can be fun and | | | | |
| exhilarating. It can also be scary and | | | | Offers a 1-day family rafting trip package on |
| dangerous if you venture out by yourself in | | | | the Upper New River which includes 2 nights |
| an area that's rated way above your | | | | lodging, 1 breakfast buffet, 1 lunch buffet |
| experience level. But, are there rafting | | | | and 1 dinner buffet. You have many different |
| trips which offer fun and excitement, but | | | | types of lodging to choose from, including |
| still mild enough for beginners and children? | | | | cabin, RV, camping, cabin tent or the Quality |
| Absolutely. Here are a few you might | | | | Inn. If you want more adventure to go with |
| consider. | | | | your rafting, Rivermen also offers |
| | | | multi-sport, multi-day adventure packages, |
| 1. Little Gore Canyon - Near Denver, Colorado | | | | such as a rafting and climbing package, a |
| | | | rafting, climbing and jetboat package, or a |
| With a rating of Class I to III, the Little | | | | rafting, climbing, jetboat and horseback |
| Gore Canyon section of the Colorado River | | | | riding package. Call them at 800-545-7238 for |
| offers mild yet exciting whitewater suitable | | | | more information. |
| for beginners and families with children. You | | | | |
| can enjoy Little Gore Canyon in a raft, | | | | 4. South Fork of the American River - near |
| kayak, inflatable kayak or a canoe. | | | | Sacramento, California |
| | | | |
| Companies which offer rafting trips for | | | | The South Fork of the American River is a |
| families in Little Gore Canyon include: | | | | favorite in California, rated a Class II and |
| | | | III and suitable for beginners and children |
| Bill Dvorak's Kayak & Rafting Expeditions | | | | ages 7 and above. The 3-mile, Class II |
| | | | "Coloma to Lotus" stretch of the South Fork |
| Providing expeditions since 1969, Dvorak's | | | | is a perfect place for novices to try out |
| was Colorado's first licensed outfitter. They | | | | rafting. You will also enjoy the scenery of |
| offer 2-day family expeditions in Little Gore | | | | oak and pine forests. |
| Canyon, with meals included. For more | | | | |
| information, call them at 800-824-3795. | | | | Companies which offer family rafting trips on |
| | | | the South Fork include: |
| Rancho Del Rio | | | | |
| | | | O.A.R.S. |
| Offers half and full-day trips with lunch | | | | |
| included, as well as an overnight and | | | | Has been in business for over 30 years and |
| three-day trip with choice of three meal | | | | offers a 2-day rafting trip on the South |
| plans. Call them at 970-653-4431 for more | | | | Fork, which includes lunch and dinner and |
| information. | | | | overnight camping at River's Bend Resort in |
| | | | Coloma, as well as breakfast the next |
| 2. San Miguel River - Near Telluride, | | | | morning. Call them at 800-346-6277 for more |
| Colorado | | | | information. |
| | | | |
| A rafting trip along the San Miguel River | | | | American Whitewater Expeditions |
| near Telluride, Colorado will provide you | | | | |
| with Class II and occasional Class III | | | | Offers half, full and 2-day trips on the |
| rapids, along with spectacular scenery of red | | | | South Fork, as well as family midweek |
| rock cliffs and alpine terrain. This trip is | | | | specials of 1 and 2-day trips. For those of |
| great for beginners and families with | | | | you in Southern California, American |
| children over 10 years of age. | | | | Whitewater Expeditions has a special 2-day |
| | | | South Fork trip with round trip deluxe bus |
| Companies which offer rafting trips for | | | | from Orange County, Los Angeles or San |
| families along the San Miguel River include: | | | | Fernando. And for those family members or |
| | | | friends who don't wish to raft but wish to |
| Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Trail Tours, Inc. | | | | camp at the company's campsite, they have a |
| | | | special of 2-nights camping and 4 meals for |
| Trip leaders average 3,000 river miles (the | | | | $69. Call 877-825-3206 for more information. |
| state of Colorado requires 750), and they | | | | |
| offer shuttles around rapids for kids and | | | | 5. Upper Main Salmon River - near Sun Valley, |
| elders. Mild to Wild offers 1-day, 2-day or | | | | Idaho |
| 3-day trips down the San Miguel River, | | | | |
| including meals on the river and in camp. | | | | This section of the Salmon River in the |
| | | | Sawtooth Wilderness Area provides mild Class |
| Bill Dvorak's Kayak & Rafting Expeditions | | | | II rapids with some thrilling Class III |
| | | | rapids to provide the beginner and veteran |
| They offer 1 to 5-day family rafting | | | | alike with a very enjoyable rafting |
| expeditions along the San Miguel River, with | | | | adventure. |
| meals included. For more information, call | | | | |
| them at 800-824-3795. If you wish longer | | | | Companies which offer beginner and family |
| trips of 6 to 12 days, you can combine a trip | | | | trips on the Salmon River include: |
| on the San Miguel River with a trip on the | | | | |
| Dolores. are available by combining the San | | | | White Cloud Rafting Adventures |
| Miguel with the Dolores. | | | | |
| | | | Offering half and full-day Class II and III |
| 3. Upper New River - South Central West | | | | trips suitable for beginners and children. |
| Virginia | | | | Half-day trips include a snack, full-day |
| | | | trips include lunch. They also offer half-day |
| Beginners will appreciate the | | | | scenic float trips for those who want an even |
| "beginner-friendly" rapids of the Upper New | | | | milder trip down the Salmon River. This trip |
| River, rated I to III in difficulty. An added | | | | is a smooth and easy float with Class II |
| feature is the incredibly beautiful scenery | | | | rapids. Call them at 800-571-RAFT for more |
| and the belief by some that the New River is | | | | information. |
| the world's 2nd oldest river. | | | | |
| | | | Whichever river and outfitter you choose, do |
| Companies which offer family rafting trips on | | | | remember to apply sunscreen and wear water |
| the Upper New River include: | | | | shoes or tennis shoes (no flip-flops), and |
| | | | bring a change of clothes. And do be careful, |
| Rivermen | | | | whitewater rafting can be addictive. |