The Arkansas River in Colorado is one of the best rivers for whitewater rafting in the U.S., and the most challenging stretch is the Royal Gorge, running through a narrow canyon with 1000 foot walls. The Arkansas is also the most popular river, and is crowded from May through September. The folks who aren't actually on the river are usually watching it from the suspension bridge over 1000 feet above.

With its long stretch of class III to V rapids, the Royal Gorge has unbeatable whitewaters. There are plenty of named rapids, like the Sledgehammer, Boateater, and Wall Slammer, giving you an idea of what the unnamed ones are like. Besides rapids, you'll hit narrows, big holes, high waves, and lots of steep drops into pools. The highest, coldest flows are in May, when the snow-melt from the Rockies heads down the Arkansas River from the Continental Divide. If the flow is higher than 3200 cfs, rafting is prohibited through the Royal Gorge, and you'll be rerouted to a safer run.

Dozens of rafting adventure companies are happy to provide rafts and guides if you're flying in and can't bring your own gear. They all provide helmets, wetsuits and life-jackets, but some charge extra for use of their gear, so be sure to read the fine print. Most won't accept anyone who doesn't have at least Class III experience for the Royal Gorge whitewater run, so if you have beginners or kids in your party, plan on an easier route like Bighorn Sheep Canyon.

If you want to raft on your own, be aware that recreational use of the Gorge is regulated by the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, and if you put in at any of the possible sites upstream, you'll have to pay a fee for daily use.

After May, it gets really hot in the area, so wear something cool like this Topanga tank from Columbia, that's fast-drying and has UV protection, and these comfy shorts from Cloudveil. Make your feet happy with Salomon's Techamphibian 2 shoes that convert to sandals. And don't forget the sunscreen.

If you've ever wanted to see where Daniel Boone walked, or where Tom Dooley (of song and legend) infamous lead him, your next whitewater trip should be Stony Fork Creek in North Carolina. The creek offers more than history; it runs through some truly beautiful country that doesn't look much different than it did 200 years ago.

Stony Fork Creek comes off of Tompkins Knob in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and flows down between Elk Ridge and Dividing Ridge until it joins the Yadkin River just above the Kerr Scott reservoir. Some rank this 6 mile run as class I-II, others as I-III, and, typically with small streams, it depends on the water height. Put-in is above a bridge on CR 1155, about 2 miles west (left) from its junction with CR 1154. Takeout approximately 2 ½ miles east of the town of Ferguson; it's a steep bank there, but it'll save you about ¾ of a mile of mainly backwater.

Stony Fork is fast for its size, and it drops over one small ledge after another, averaging 9-10 feet down per 50 feet of stream. Stony Fork Creek is usually runnable through the region's wet season. The ledges are about 12 to 18 inches high until just before the confluence of Stony Fork with the Yadkin, where the drops get higher and more frequent. You'll know the spot by a large tree that cuts off most of the creek; behind and to the right of the tree, a solo kayak can take the 4-foot drop into a whirl of turbulence, and continue through the boulder garden in the Yadkin to the takeout point.

The cool water may be just what you need after paddling through a warm Carolina day. A raglan shirt from Five Ten will help keep you cool, and these shades from Arnette keep the bright sun from hurting your eyes. These Newport Sandals from Keen will let you put your toes in if you take a break; and in this gorgeous country you may want to.

(For more about Stony Fork Creek and the Yadkin River, check out Bob and David Benner's book, Carolina Whitewater, from Menasha Ridge Press.)

The Kettle River in eastern Minnesota starts out easy, but once you reach Banning State Park, it can turn into one heck of a ride. It's one of the best whitewater rivers in the Midwest, but when the water runs high, it's definitely experts only.

Run the Banning State Park to Old Dam Site stretch for a day trip. Wear some comfy boardshorts, and bring a dry pack to keep stuff dry. Follow the park road off of MN 23 east, and put in at the lot. The first rapids you'll hit is called Blueberry Slide, the fastest, skeeviest stretch of rapids the Kettle has. In low water, it's a class II, but in high, it's at least a IV. Scout from river right before you launch, or paddle to the island and scout river left. Run the Slide to the left, hitting the deepest water, then follow the flow right to take some drops down.

This 4.5 mile stretch is filled with rapids, holes, falls and rocks, so expect to portage*.* Get out river left before Dragon's Tooth to scout. The run ends with a monster wave when the water's high, so consider your skill level before you try it. You'll recognize Hell's Gate by the narrowing of the river and the bluffs on both sides. Get out left and scout. If you decide to run it, stick to the middle. It's a IV in high water, but a III in low water. Next look for Wolf Creek falls to enter from river right -- a great lunch stop.

The next portage arrives just before Robinson Park to avoid Quarry Rapids. Portage right to avoid the crosscurrent that has flipped more than one kayak in high water, or the rocks and spikes that appear in low water. Continue downstream to Big Spring Falls, an 8-footer that splits around an island. You can portage, or run it river right or left, both class III-IV and each with its own hazards. Continue through the Sandstone Rapids and take out river right just past the rapids at the Old Dam Site, and enjoy the quiet forest.

(Study Greg Breining's book, Paddling Minnesota, Morris Book Publishing, 1999, for more information about Kettle River and the Banning State Park to Old Dam Site run.)

Are you an adventurer at heart? Maybe you just want to try something new and exciting. If you enjoy nature and don't mind getting your feet wet (or possibly the rest of you), you may be interested in whitewater or or other river rafting in Colorado. The Colorado Rocky Mountains are well-known for skiing, but are also a popular spot for river rafting. In fact, Colorado is the number one whitewater rafting spot in the world.

Whitewater and other river rafting excursions can be a bonding experience for spouses, family, or friends. They also can be an adventure in self-reflection and the thrill of a lifetime. Keep in mind that going alone is not recommended for safety reasons. Besides, this is definitely an activity you'll want to share with others. Outdoor adventures in Colorado that include river rafting can leave each individual with something different. Speaking of different, there are many ways to have a river rafting experience in Colorado.

River rafting can be enjoyed in an oarboat, paddleboat, inflatable kayak, and more. River rafting tours are geared toward skill level and experienced guides can come along for the ride. Depending on preferences and experience, either passengers or the guide will control the watercraft. Navigation waters can either be mild or be Class 5 rapids only for the most experienced and daring of whitewater rafting adventurers.

Regardless of the water speed, be sure to have safety in mind when river rafting in Colorado. The safest river rafting excursions will include a trained tour guide who knows the area and all the safety precautions. Most river rafting tours include a safety overview, watercraft, flotation devices for everyone, and sometimes a meal and any other required gear. However, not all will be this inclusive. Be sure to check before the trip.

Don't forget the appropriate footwear and bring along a waterproof camera to capture the nature and all the best moments. Colorado has many rivers to choose from in these river rafting excursions. The Arkansas River is arguably the most popular. There also is Blue River, Colorado River, Clear Creek, Green River, Eagle River, and more. It's wise to do research on locations and options before going to be sure you choose the best experience for your purpose.

Sources:
http://www.raftcolorado.net/
http://www.coloradowhitewaterrafting.com/
http://www.coloradowhitewaterrafting.com/FAQs.htm

The Green River in Utah is one of the most popular destinations for whitewater rafting. It's a long canyon, and not all stretches are the same. If you want to introduce your family to whitewater rafting, one of the best stretches is the Desolation and Gray Canyon stretch, with over sixty Class 1 to 111 rapids. It's a 5 to 6 day trip, depending on how far you push each day.

Drive or fly to the Sand Wash ranger station for the put-in. If you want to raft on your own, you'll need to get permits from the various jurisdictions the Green passes through (mostly BLM, but also the National Park Service and others). If you bring your kids, it's easier to go with one of the many services that provide the permits, along with the raft, a guide, meals, and camp set-ups. It's also a great way to convince your wife or girlfriend that she'll enjoy the trip!

Once you leave the put-in, the water starts out smooth. As you proceed, you'll start hitting rapids, and it gets more and more interesting. The best spot for whitewater fans is the Belknap rapids, the result of a 1987 flash flood that dumped rocks from a side canyon into the water. If you're hardcore, ask the guide to bring an inflatable kayak so you can run that stretch on your own.

Bring a pack with a section to keep your wet clothes away from your dry clothes. Keep your feet happy with these Teva open sandals so they can stay cool in the warm weather. You can get matching Teva kids sandals if you bring the kids (check first; some guides accept kids as young as five; others take kids age eight and up), or give their feet more coverage with these, also from Teva, so they don't have to switch footgear when you take out to look at sites like an abandoned canyon, some amazing petroglyphs that are about 1000 years old, or the stone ruins of the long-gone Fremont cultures that made this canyon their home.

While the North Shore rivers of Minnesota are great places for expert paddlers, most of them can be deadly for non-experts. The lower Baptism is no exception; it's winding, steep, and twisting, with class IV and V waters.

Be prepared before you go with shoes like these from Columbia, that can handle the water or the slippery rocks when you portage. Another good choice is these convertible pants from Merrell. Wear as shorts while you're in the water, and zip on the quick-dry bottoms to save your knees from scrapes when you're out.

You'll hit action right after you reach the dells. There are two offset holes that you can avoid with little trouble, then a sweet pool at the end where the river makes a sharp left turn. Below that, another rapid leads to a boulder that splits the flow. The left side is your best bet, but if you can handle the Baptism, you'll manage the right.

There are a few sharp drops ahead, including one ledge that's about 3 feet and also shoots you off to the left. Past that, get ready to get out (river left) and scout. Downstream from you is Illgen Falls, a 35-footer. It has been run, usually with only minor problems, and you'll probably pop right up from the churning froth at the bottom. Then portage around it (also river left) to a steep trail, and it's not easy to climb down carrying your kayak, but wiser heads usually take the portage route. Below that, be ready to go ashore (river left) to avoid hitting a footbridge and going down High Falls just beyond. High Falls is the highest waterfall in Minnesota, and you'd have to be crazy to try it. Carry the kayak, take the trail, and put in below.

There's plenty more to come, but don't try this river without a good guidebook (try "Paddling Minnesota" by Greg Breining). The lower Baptism is sure to give you more than one rush!

When you're thinking of challenging rivers to canoe or kayak, North Dakota is not generally the first state that comes to mind. But there's a stretch of the Missouri, north from the capitol city of Bismarck to Garrison Dam, that could change your mind about Dakota waters. This stretch is one of the last remaining undeveloped segments of the Missouri. Peppered with sandbars and undertows, and with a remarkably swift current, this run is largely unchanged from the Missouri river the Lewis and Clark expedition followed in 1804. New sandbars, different logs and snags, but the same tricky river!

In addition to the thrill of the water, you're also in a prime spot to see both bald and golden eagles, beaver and white-tailed deer, and osprey. You may also spot endangered least terns and threatened piping plovers on the sandbars; if you do, don't disturb them; just take a photo, and paddle on.

If you didn't bring your own, you can find rental canoes and kayaks in Washburn at the Lewis and Clark Canoe and Kayak rentals, or at the Cross Ranch State Park (worth a visit even if you don't need a canoe), and at several locations in Bismarck and Mandan.

You'll want a dry bag to store your camera and other items. Good choices for canoeing footwear are these Columbia Hydrotooth shoes for men, and Columbia's Bellafly for women. The new Life is Good shorts are great summer styling for guys, and these Patagonia Board Shorts for women in plum make a fashion statement while keeping you comfortable. If the day gets chilly, women may want to bring along these Torrent Pants by Isis. Because it can get cool on the water almost any time from May to October, bring along a jacket, such as a Merrell Storm Jacket for men, and this Marmot PreCip jacket for women.

Another advantage to canoeing the Missouri is that costs in North Dakota tend to be lower than other areas. You can find great deals on food, hotels and canoe rentals in Bismarck, Mandan, and Washburn..