Whitewater Kayaking
Over the last thousand years kayaking has gone through quite a revolution.
Its transformation has taken it from the driftwood and animal skin boats of the arctic natives to the canvas, fold up boats of the Europeans and now to the high tech blowup or fiberglass boats of today.
As a sport it has gained popularity and respect over the years. The 1936 Olympics was the first time kayaking/canoeing was accepted on the world stage.
Today, you can find a qualified kayak instructor in just about every state in the United States. Organizations like the American Canoe Association and the Canadian Recreational Canoe and Kayak Association are adding a real credibility.
Whitewater kayaking is a serious adventure. Rushing waters hold surprises around every bend, some can be seen and others hid in the sheathing river. There are moments when preparation is your only friend and risk is nipping at your paddles. That is the excitement that most adventures are looking to find.
Alaska
Alaska is home to some of the most amazing outdoor adventure destinations in the world. Kayaking Alaska is the best way to see her majestic mountains, cascading waterfalls, great wildlife viewing, and glaciers that often calve right into the river. Kayaking the beautiful and isolated Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is a great place to explore until your heart is content.
Experience the awe of Denali National Park and see the Alaskan wilderness through the beauty and excitement of its rivers. Surround yourself with an awesome wilderness of mountains and valleys, glaciers and fjords, active and inactive volcanoes as you travel from source to sea on an Alaskan river.
Oregon
Imagine sunshine and a fresh breeze as you kayak down the Rogue River. Now watch the perfect combination of beautiful geography, warm whitewater rapids and incredible wildlife as you float by.
The Snake River's Hells Canyon is North America's deepest river gorge. The Nez Perce Indians were drawn to this "Place of Shadows". With Idaho's towering Seven Devils Mountains and Oregon's Blue Mountains in view as you travel down world-class rapids, along side beautiful beaches in warm water, this is guaranteed to be a trip of a lifetime for all ages.
Colorado
The Both Buena Vista and Salida are prime spots for kayakers with park-n-play whitewater parks. The rivers attract kayak enthusiasts from around the world.
Clear Creek, west of Denver, provides intermediate to advanced rapids and a fun and challenging whitewater experience. As you negotiate the river you pass Ponderosa Pine, Juniper and Douglas Fir trees before tumbling through the old mining town of Idaho Springs.
It is common to see wildlife such as river otter and big horn sheep along the way as well as the occasional bear.
Idaho
Combine the wilderness beauty of the Northwest with excellent Class II to V excitement and you have the rivers of Idaho. Take a trip through Hells Canyon on the Snake River and see some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States.
Idaho has over 3,000 miles of whitewater, more whitewater river miles than any other state in the lower 48. One of the best ways to experience them is through the Idaho Whitewater Trail a seven-river system of 1/2 day and full day trips.
Georgia
The Chattooga River in Georgia flows through the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and is great for kayaking and rafting.
It is one of the top whitewater destinations in the southeast United States. The river is banked by the Sumter National Forest to the east and by the Chattahoochee National Forest to the west as it forms the boundary between South Carolina and Georgia.
West Virginia
West Virginia offers terrific choices for whitewater kayaking or rafting. The whitewater of the Gauley River is a thrill seeker's dreams come true year round.
Over 2,000 miles of rivers and streams flowing out of the lush Appalachian Mountains make the Gauley River and the New River the ultimate playground for whitewater adventurers.
Family adventures on the Upper New River will create memories that will last a lifetime with rapids ranging from class I-III. Then there is the famous class II-V whitewater challenges of the Lower New River Gorge, Lower Gauley and world class Upper Gauley River sections.
Tennessee
The Pigeon River and on the Middle and Upper Ocoee Rivers are known to be the top Tennessee white water trips.
The Ocoee River is located one hour north of Atlanta, Georgia and is one of the most popular rivers east of the Mississippi. Divided into two runs, the Upper Ocoee River's Class IV plus "Olympic Run" presents whitewater thrills and more fun then you have ever had on vacation. The Middle Section (Class III-IV) is ideal for beginner to intermediate riders.
The Pigeon River is located just outside of Smokey Mountain National Park and forms the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. Mostly a Class III with a couple of Class IV rapids and is an increasingly popular whitewater rafting destination for beginner to intermediate enthusiasts.
Wyoming
Cody Wyoming is probably one of the best kept secrets of the kayaking world. There are 20 rivers within 2 hours of driving that sport world class kayaking in the range from class II to class V rapids.
The Clarks Fork Canyon is undoubtedly some of the best scenery and water in Wyoming. This scenic river hosts some of North America's best and most challenging rapids.
The Shoshone River just 3 miles from downtown Cody is a bit less intense. If flat water boating is your thing, the Buffalo Bill Reservoir and Yellowstone Lake feature excellent sea kayaking as well.
Wisconsin
The exciting Peshtigo and Menominee Rivers in Wisconsin offer exciting whitewater trips for all ages. High-adventure and exciting whitewater can be experienced during the spring months of April and May on the Peshtigo River.
Any whitewater enthusiast is looking for the Menominee River. It is the highest volume rapids in the Midwest and its Class IV rapids and short hikes are sure to amaze and entertain.
Montana
Scenic Glacier National Park hosts the Flathead River and is a great place to combine a Montana camping trip with kayaking. The Flathead River has a total length of 216 miles and is broken into the North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork sections. It is surrounded by the rugged wilderness of Glacier National Park.
Glacier National Park encompasses over 1 million acres of forests, alpine meadows, and lakes. Containing one of the largest intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states.
The Park is an official Biosphere Reserve and is home to over 70 species of mammals including grizzlies, wolves and over 260 species of birds.
Utah
The Colorado River near Arches National Park and Moab in Utah is a trip that any whitewater adventurer must put on the "To Do" list.
It is tough to choose between a trip to Cataract Canyon, Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River or a trip just outside of Moab. Utah offers plenty of options and you can't go wrong with any of them.
The entrance to Cataract Canyon, which carves a profound 100-mile-long chasm through the heart of Canyonlands National Park, is where the Colorado River and Green River meets.
Westwater Canyon is situated deep in the sandstone cliffs between Grand Junction, Colorado and Moab, Utah and is ideal for the adventurer that has only a few days of vacation. As the Colorado River etches itself into Westwater Canyon, the canyon walls rise to 1,200 feet in height.
The Green River in Utah presents travelers with sandy beaches, sparkling side streams, shady stands of Cottonwood trees and abundant wildlife.
It is possible to go kayaking just about any place that has a river or an ocean. It is a fantastic sport that is a great experience no matter if you are young or old, a beginner or experienced. There are many places to get lessons and learn how to be safe. Above all kayaking is a great way to see the most pristine parts of our planet.