These trips will float your boat
10 great rivers to explore across the USA.
In a world connected by highways and airplanes, travelers rarely rely on rivers for transportation. But that’s exactly why they should, says Tim Palmer, author of America’s Great River Journeys: 50 Canoe, Kayak, and
Raft Adventures (Rizzoli, $55), which will be published May 15. “Rivers take us to places we cannot see through a windshield. There’s something fundamental in getting into a little boat and pushing off the shore and seeing the landscape from the water.” He shares some favorite trips.
Just a few hours north of Manhattan, the historic Hudson offers paddlers a surprising adventure near its source in the Adirondack mountains. “It has fabulous whitewater, which is doable and not terribly dangerous,” Palmer says. Usually a one-day trip, the river’s season lasts from April to October, with the flow regulated by dam releases beginning in June. visitadirondacks.com
Palmer says the math is simple. This desert Southwest waterway offers 70% of the grandeur of rafting through the Grand Canyon at about 20% of the cost. “It’s way easier to do. It’s a great river for a family in a raft, and it’s safe for kids.” Highlights include red rock canyons, ledge walks and Native American ruins and rock art. utahscanyoncountry.com
Suwannee, Ga. and Fla.
Starting in the Okefenokee Swamp, this river meanders past bald cypress and slowly finds its way to the Gulf of Mexico. Paddlers can take day trips, overnight excursions or journeys lasting more than a week. It can be visited year-round. Visitflorida.com and www.fws.gov/refuge/okefenokee
New River Gorge, W.Va.
One of the world’s oldest rivers also is one of its wildest, as it thunders through a deep Appalachian gorge. “There’s lots of water and big, big waves. It’s like a roller coaster,” Palmer says. nps.gov/neri
Rogue, Ore.
Decades before the introduction of plastic kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, outfitters were bringing anglers to this Pacific Northwest river to fish for salmon and steelhead trout. Now, it’s popular with rafters, who come on three- and four-day expeditions. “There’s a 32-mile wild reach with very little road access, which is a classic trip in the West. There are wonderful rapids, but they’re not really big and pushy and hazardous,” Palmer says. Accessible spring through fall. rivers.gov/rivers/rogue.php
Tuolumne, Calif.
Located just north of Yosemite National Park, the “T” tumbles from the high Sierra to the foothills and is considered one of the nation’s premier paddling rivers. “It’s extremely exciting whitewater through this deep canyon with technical, classic rocky rapids,” Palmer says. rivers.gov/rivers/tuolumne.php
Current, Mo.
Flowing from crystal Ozark springs, this gentle stream invites day and overnight visitors with frequent pull-outs and easy road access. “It’s like a linear national park, and you can paddle for a week or more. It’s a very cold-water flow with white gravel bars that invite you to camp there overnight,” says Palmer, who considers the trip one of the top Class 1 extended river journeys in the country. nps.gov/ozar/index.htm
Arkansas, Colo.
The most floated whitewater river in the country tumbles out of the Rocky Mountains toward the Plains. Entire towns and numerous outfitters serve visitors to what Palmer calls a playground for paddlers. Colorado.com
Youghiogheny, Pa.
Nicknamed the “Yock,” this waterway located about 90 minutes from Pittsburgh welcomes beginners and expert paddlers, Palmer says. “It has a variety of difficulties and a beautiful Appalachian setting that’s accessible to many people.” dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/ FindAPark/OhiopyleStatePark/Pages/ default.aspx
Snake (Hells Canyon), Idaho and Ore.
This run is less expensive and easier to schedule than other popular river trips, Palmer says. “There’s not as high demand, but it’s supremely rugged landscape and one of the deepest canyons in the country. It runs all summer long with big flows and big, exciting rapids.” rivers.gov/rivers/snake.php
“There’s lots of water and big, big waves. It’s like a roller coaster.” Tim Palmer On New River Gorge, W.Va.