Whitewater rafting does lure the adventurers. Perhaps it's the thrilling drops, crashing waves, and big rapids. Or perhaps it's the camaraderie of conquering the mighty river with your friends. Or maybe it's a chance to enjoy some wildly scenic waterways. Whatever the lure is, great whitewater rafting is closer than you think. We have assembled a sampling of America's rivers and the outfitters that run on them to help you choose the right adventure for you.

EAST | SOUTHEAST | WEST

EAST

Magic Falls Rafting Company
(800) 207-7238 www.magicfalls.com
Founded in 1989 by owner David Neddeau, Magic Falls is now Maine's second largest rafting company. The dream Dave realized was to assure that every moment of your rafting experience is memorable, safe and inspiring. His family also runs the Marshall Inn (over 100 year old landmark in The Forks) for year round lodging, great food and full service tavern. Hunting and snowmobiling are available after rafting season closes in mid-October. Group rates and
packages are available.

The New England Outdoor Center
(800) 766-7238 www.neoc.com
The New England Outdoor Center offers the best outdoor adventure rafting in Maine and New England, with options that include loads of adrenaline-pumping white water, or gentle float trips, breathtaking scenery and pure fun. Your Maine whitewater rafting adventure starts with expert instruction in rafting techniques and water safety from our seasoned river rafting guides. We offer whitewater rafting vacations for rafting enthusiasts of any level (including first-timers) on three scenic rivers known for the most exhilarating rafting in New England: the Kennebec River, the Penobscot River and the Dead River. With rafting trips from a mellow Class I to a challenging Class V, it's easy to plan a family rafting trip or whitewater rafting vacation for couples and individuals seeking a broad range of experience.

The Rivers:
The Gauley River, WV - The Beast of the East
The Gauley River is rated by many as the best whitewater trip in the world! This river is a dam-released river with its water source at Summersville Lake, the state's largest man-made lake. Each fall, the Army Corps of Engineers releases the water at Summersville Dam in order to bring the lake to its winter pool levels. This release is scheduled in cooperation with whitewater outfitters to insure optimum flow for rafting on the Gauley River. With two distinct twelve-mile sections, this river boasts over 100 rapids ranging from Class I-V+! Join paddlers from around the world on their annual pilgrimage to the world-class Fall Gauley!

The New River, WV - The Grand Canyon of the East
The New River is considered the oldest river in the Western Hemisphere. At least 65 million years in its present course, the New River was once part of an immense lake that covered much of the New River Gorge area. The river shares the geological aspect of the Nile, flowing south to north with its headwaters in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. As the river flows through Virginia into West Virginia, it picks up several warm water tributaries. This is the reason for the unusually warm water of the river (ranging from 50-60û in April to 80û in August.) The river flows through a rugged canyon up to 1,300 ft. in depth. The canyon is majestic, where a fast growing forest hides the old coal towns that once flourished along the banks of the New River. In 1978 the National Park Service declared the New River a National River and has since sought to preserve and protect it. Rafted commercially for the first time in 1969, the New River continues to provide thrills for all ages and has become known as the "Grand Canyon of the East." The rapids are classified from class I-V.

Gauley and New River descriptions compliments of Rivers Whitewater Rafting Resort

Rivers Whitewater Rafting Resort
(800) TRY-RIVERS (879-7483) www.riversresort.com
Combine world-class adventure with our beautiful New River Gorge Base Camp and you have the perfect setting for the ultimate outdoor vacation. Rivers offers mild to wild whitewater rafting trips on the New and Gauley rivers, plus rock climbing, rappelling, mountain biking, horseback riding, ATV tours, fishing expeditions and kayaking. Facilities include a restaurant, saloon with live entertainment, outfitters store, campground, cabins, volleyball, trails and fishing streams. Adventure packages and group rates available.

Adventures Mountain River
(800) 822-1386 www.rafttoday.com
Adventures Mountain River has been running the rapids for over 31 years! They run the New River at incredibly high water in the spring. It's like taking all of the biggest rapids on the Colorado and squeezing them together into a 15 mile stretch. They were also the first folks to commercially run the neighboring Gauley River. With more than one hundred rapids in 26 miles, the Gauley is where thrill seekers thrive. In addition to the variety of rafting packages, Adventures Mountain River also has Multi-Day School & Group Adventure Programs that include rafting, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, meals and accommodations. They've also remodeled the Gear Shop and Check-in Center to match their already top-notch whitewater with a new first-rate facility. Tom Wagner, manager of Adventures Mountain River, says that it's all world class. "We just had the World Rafting Championship, then the National Rafting Championship last year. This year we're hosting the National Wildwater Kayaking Championship. There's a lot happening here right now, and everyone who visits is a part of it." There are also affordable accommodations available at Country Road Cabins (www.wvcabins.net). Each cabin comes with great amenities and a hot tub!

Cantrell Ultimate Rafting
(304) 466-0595 or (800) 470-7238 www.ultimaterafting.com
R-U-Ready for the Ultimate WVA Vacation Adventure? We have over 20 years of whitewater experience guiding everything from float trips to Class VI's. With base camps for both the New and Gauley Rivers... you're in for some of the most scenic & exciting thrills on the planet! Plus you can choose packages combining rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, ATV tours and more with lodging options and/or meals. Ask about 2 for 1 New & Gauley Specials and the "College Student Package"... the Ultimate Value!

Cheat River Outfitters, Inc.
(888) 99-RIVER www.CheatRiverOutfitters.com
Conveniently located in Northern West Virginia the Cheat River offers big worldclass whitewater rafting. The Cheat Canyon boasts 13 miles of secluded wilderness and Class III-V whitewater. Skip the crowds and check out West Virginia’s best kept secret. We also offer moderate Class III rafting trips, rock climbing, wild caving, paintball, and camping.

North American River Runners
(800) 950-2585 www.narr.com
If you crave adventure, challenge and excitement in the great outdoors, then it's time to let loose and run wild with North American River Runners. North American River Runners (NARR) is a complete outdoor recreation outfitter, offering whitewater rafting trips and adventure packages in beautiful and mountainous southern West Virginia. A variety of rafting packages are available on the New and Gauley rivers that range from mild to extreme. In addition, you can engage yourself into other adventure sports like rock climbing, mountain biking, ATV trail rides, ropes courses, the Great Swing, horseback trail rides, paintball and tons of hiking trails.

Wildwater Expeditions, Inc.
(800) 982-7238 www.wvaraft.com
Wildwater Expeditions specializes in adventure recreation on the New River and Gauley River areas located in the mountains of southern West Virginia. In conjunction with their mild to wild whitewater rafting, rappelling, climbing, hiking, mountain biking, experiential education and team building programs, they also provide packages including camping, hotels and/or meals. Contact Wildwater Expeditions today to start your outdoor adventures!

Raft West Virginia
(800) 782-7238 www.raftwvinfo.com
Full day rafting on Lower New River, two nights camping, breakfast, lunch, dinner w/beverages and entertainment. Limited Space! Call Now!

Passages to Adventure
(800) 634-3785 www.passagestoadventure.com
Spend the summer earning and playing in the New River Gorge, West Virginia, whitewater rafting and rock climbing.

Mountains Unlimited
(888) 240-6976
Affordable non-profit hiking/skiing trips in Switzerland & USA. Whitewater Rafting - Rock Climbing Instruction - Summer/Winter trips. Also train to be a licensed guide at our clinic. Brochure available.

The Rivers:
The Chattooga River, GA
Considered one of the top rivers for whitewater sports in the country, the Chattooga River brings new meaning to outdoor adventure. Deemed a "Wild and Scenic" river, all trips are designed to preserve the beautiful forest land surrounding the rapids. The scenery is just as breathtaking as the drops and ledges that make up the Chattooga. With more than 25 Class II to Class V rapids, the Chattooga is perfect for any level rafter. The overnight rafting/camping adventure is one trip not to miss. The Chattooga will indeed satisfy your hunger for outdoor adventure.

Location: Clayton, GA - Northeast Georgia, 1 hour west of Clemson, SC and just 2 hours northeast of Atlanta

The Ocoee River, TN
Big waves and continuous excitement make the Ocoee River one of the most popular rivers in the Southeast. Home to the 1996 Olympic Canoe and Kayak course, the Ocoee River will thrill you from launch to takeout! Play in the hydraulics of the Upper section, or challenge the continuous rapids of the Middle section - the Ocoee River is an all around thrill.

Location: Ocoee, TN - Southeastern Tennessee, 45 minutes east of Chattanooga, and just 2 hours northwest of Atlanta

Chattooga and Ocoee River descriptions compliments of Southeastern Expeditions

The Nolichucky River, TN
The Nolichucky is one of the wildest and most scenic rivers in the Southeast. It's exciting and challenging! The Nolichucky offers a variety of rapids that cut their way through a beautiful 3000' gorge. From the start it drops into a ten-mile long gorge with class III - IV rapids. You'll be guided past rugged rock bluffs, crystal clear springs and mountains that rise to elevations of 3000'.

Nolichucky River description compliments of Cherokee Adventures

Do you know about playing in the hydraulic waves of the Ocoee River? Or have you experienced the breathtaking drops of the Chattooga River? Let Southeastern Expeditions introduce you to a whole new world of whitewater adventures on these rivers. Southeastern Expeditions is one of the oldest whitewater adventure companies in the Southeast. The company has introduced hundreds of thousands to the thrill of whitewater. The guides are first rate, and so is the product. Southeastern opened its doors in 1972, after Claude Terry purchased equipment from Warner Bros. following the filming of the movie Deliverance. Mr. Terry served as a stunt double for Burt Reynolds in the movie, and still today is the owner of Southeastern Expeditions. This film fueled an explosion in whitewater rafting in the south propelling this type of adventure to the prominence it enjoys today.

Ocoee River trips: Half-day Upper or Middle trips are just enough to show you what the Ocoee can do, or combine the two sections for a full-day experience with a riverside lunch. Price range: $32-95

Chattooga River trips: The Section III full-day trip is perfect for the beginner; the SectionIV full-day trip is guaranteed to thrill even the most adventurous rafter. Both trips include lunch. Combine the two sections for the best overnight camping/rafting experience in the Southeast. Gear and meals are included. Price range: $65-240

Cherokee Adventures
( 800) 445-7238 www.cherokeeadventures.com
Experience Adventure! Wilderness whitewater trips through the spectacular 3000' Nolichucky River Gorge. We run on both class III & IV rapids and offer riverside camping. Paddlers do not need prior experience to enjoy raft or funyak.

The Rivers:
The American River, CA
Cascading down the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Gold Rush Country, flows the scenic American River. Just a short drive east of Sacramento or west of Tahoe, the South Fork offers over 30 exhilarating rapids and a great deal of fun and enjoyment. Whether this will be your first time or you are a whitewater veteran, the South Fork will provide an exciting and thrilling adventure.

If you'd like more thrills, challenges, and excitement as well as a true wilderness experience, the Middle Fork is just for you. This beautiful river, flowing through rich gold-bearing country, has impressive rapids, including the ultimate in "Big Drops" at the Tunnel Chute Rapid. Here the river descends 18 feet through a very narrow chute, over a distance of 80 feet. Then you'll suddenly find yourself underground for 90 feet traveling through a tunnel blasted by the gold miners long ago.

The North Fork of the American River, located an easy drive from San Francisco, Reno, or Tahoe is the ideal one-day spring run for those with previous rafting experience. South Fork and Middle Fork veterans desiring more challenging whitewater won't want to miss the North Fork.

American River description compliments of American Whitewater Expeditions

The Kern River, CA
The wild and scenic Kern River drainage originates off the highest peak in the lower 48 states, otherwise known as Mt. Whitney. The Lower Kern River is located the furthest south of any Sierra river. Abundant Class III-IV rapids roar down a narrow canyon. The Upper Kern River features a day's worth of paddling over long stretches of whitewater, varying in difficulty from Class II-V. The Forks of the Kern River are for experienced paddlers and boast some of the most scenic canyons of anywhere in the west and feature continuous Class IV whitewater and huge Class V drops.

American Whitewater Expeditions
( 800) 825-3205 www.americanwhitewater.com
American Whitewater Expeditions offers exciting mild to wild paddle raft trips on the North, Middle and South Forks of the American River at discount prices for college students. Get 11 friends together and you, as the 12th, go for FREE. Located in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Gold Rush country just an hour east of Sacramento and 1.5 hours west of Tahoe, we're a comfortable road trip from anywhere in California. The exhilarating North Fork is our Class 5 spring trip, in April & May, for those looking for the most whitewater action at prices starting from only $119/person. The South & Middle Forks are dam-controlled so we can run trips through September and are suitable for first-timers or experienced rafters. Trips on these rivers are super affordable and offer lots of fun, challenging rapids such as Troublemaker, Satan's Cesspool, and Meatgrinder on the South Fork and the world famous Tunnel Chute on the Middle Fork. All trips include one or two nights camping at our grass-covered campsites with fire pits, tables, and benches, plus super-clean bathroom facilities. Cook your own meals or add one of ours at affordable prices. We work within any budget! Call for a FREE 20 page brochure and have all your questions answered. Be sure to mention Collegian Travel & Adventure Magazine to receive the best student discounts and specials!

Mountain & River Adventures
( 800) 861-6553 www.mtnriver.com
Mountain & River Adventures (MRA) is a year-round, outdoor adventure outfitter located in the Sequoia National Forest, along the Wild and Scenic Kern River, just three hours northeast of Los Angeles. MRA is the most diverse outfitter in California! We offer affordable 1/2 day to full week adventures, which can include mountain biking, rafting, kayaking, climbing, teambuilding, and hiking at the southern gateway to the Sierras. Plan on staying awhile at our 30 acre campground located on the banks of the Wild and Scenic Kern River. Let us design a custom adventure package sure to please your campus comrades and your budget.

The River:
Middle Fork of the Salmon River
The "crown jewel" of America's Wild and Scenic river system! The Middle Fork of the Salmon River is the lifeblood of the 2.4 million acre River of No Return Wilderness, the largest wilderness area in the lower 48 states. A raft trip down the Middle Fork provides an experience unparalleled in its diversity. A visit into the Middle Fork canyon is a trip that stands alone as being one of the most sought after wilderness trips in the United States. More than a hundred rapids with names such as Powerhouse, Velvet Falls, and Corkscrew await you on this trip. But there's more than just the adrenaline of conquering the rapids.

Hidden from time, lost from the roar of progress. This is the Middle Fork. With Far and Away this premier river will challenge you and engage you and present you with the ultimate wilderness river experience.

The Colorado River & Cataract Canyon, UT
Do you want to get away from the stress of finals? How about combining breathtaking scenery with a fun and exciting getaway? Come to Moab Utah, the Adventure Capital! The Colorado River through Cataract Canyon is an excellent start for your well deserved vacation.

When Edward Abbey floated the Colorado in November 1980, he wrote that this was "one of the sweetest, brightest, grandest, and loneliest of primitive regions still remaining." On an oar-rigged raft trip you don't need to skimp on gear or rations which means you will eat well, and there will be plenty of room for your favorite beverages. You will camp on ample silt banks and hike up side canyons to look for bear tracks and evidence of mountain lions, or scout for 1,000-year-old petroglyphs left by the Fremont Indians. There is plenty of time to relax in camp on the large sandy beaches and to enjoy the sunset, or play horseshoes with your friends.

Cataract Canyon through Canyonlands National Park is a journey into spectacular remote wilderness. This quality multi-faceted adventure is the ideal balance of serenity, fascination, and exhilaration - it will elevate your life. Between mid-May and mid-June, Cataract Canyon has some of the biggest and most challenging whitewater in the US. This is a thrill seeker's dream, with stunningly powerful rapids.

From the beginning of the trip, you will find yourself seduced by the pace of the river, while absorbing beautiful scenery, and enjoying the camaraderie of interesting people. Shortly after the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers, a series of steep descents and powerful whitewater known as the Mile-Long Rapid begins. Then the Big Drops, Little Niagara and Satan's Gut - during high water, the waves are gigantic.

Colorado River and Cataract Canyon descriptions compliments of Sheri Griffith Expeditions

Whitewater Rafting
• Guide to the best outfitters and the best rivers for whitewater rafting

• Whitewater Rafting trip giveaways!