It’s the height of summer, and the rivers are calling your name! If you’re eager to throw a little adventure into your summer, look no further than a rafting trip. Whether you want to take a relaxing trip downriver with family, or brave the rapids with a few of your fellow thrill-seekers, there may be a river rafting trip within hours (or less) of a major metropolitan area near you.
A river rafting trip is a great, economical way to inject some adrenaline into your vacation season — but that doesn’t mean your trip should be a stressful one. When planning and taking a rafting trip, keep these tips in mind:
- Dress for cold water, even if the weather outside is hot. Riding the rapids is a brisk affair!
- Hire a guide and pay close attention to the safety talks.
- For maximum enjoyment and minimum hassle, charter a bus or shuttle van from Metropolitan Shuttle to get your group to and from the rafting trip. We’ll help handle the scheduling, pick-up, drop-off, and make sure everyone’s accounted for.
- Leave your wallet, keys and phone someplace safe (like on the bus). Don’t risk losing them at the river.
Is there an amazing river adventure just around the corner from where you live? Check out this list of our favorites and find out!
The Colorado River
If you want to take the rafting trip, look no further than the Colorado River, where you can take a multi-day journey through the majestic sights of the Grand Canyon. A trip along the Colorado often starts from Flagstaff (only a couple of hours away from Phoenix, and can range anywhere from six days to over two weeks — with stops along the way, of course. This river adventure is not for the faint of heart, but the scenery is truly unforgettable.
The Chattooga River
Whether you’re looking for a wild ride down the rapids, or just looking to take in some of the most beautiful streams in the United States, the Chattooga River has a little something for everyone. The Chattooga river gorge is federally protected, and the most famous for being featured in the film Deliverance.Thrillseekers will contend with the “Five Falls,” a rapid succession of breathtaking drops along the fast-moving water. Trained whitewater guides are readily available, and the river is only a couple of hours from Atlanta by bus.
The Gauley River
The best time to visit the Gauley River is in September and October, when the Corps of Engineers in West Virginia draws down Summersville Lake, releasing Class IV and Class V rapids (the most challenging kind) into the riverbed. Experienced rafters flock to the area to take part in a one-of-a-kind twenty-six mile journey. But you don’t have to be a grizzled veteran to enjoy the Gauley River; experienced guides offer family-friendly and kid-friendly rafting adventures year round, and the beautiful tree-lined canyon is only ninety minutes away from Charleston by bus.
The Nahatlatch River
If you really want to get away from it all, the Nahatlatch is your big chance. Nestled away in the heart of the Canadian wilderness a few hours from Vancouver or Seattle, the Nahatlatch offers a whitewater adventure that plunges through several lakes and mountainous areas before emptying out into a gorgeous canyon. This is a demanding course that will keep intermediate and experienced rafters on their toes!
The Tuolumne River
What’s great about the Tuolumne River? It’s only a couple hours from Sacramento, for one. It also drains out of Yosemite National Park, making for some stunning scenery as you pass through the Sierra Nevada foothills and witness breathtaking waterfalls and gorgeous wilderness. Guides offer packages of one, two, or three days, so you can choose an intense, action-packed trip, or take your time and truly soak in the natural splendor.
Summer is a great time to reserve a bus for a thrilling whitewater experience in a town near you. Metropolitan Shuttle has the vehicle you need to help make it happen. We’re is a reservation service for charter buses, and we’ll find you vehicles from the best charter bus companies in cities all across the United States. Ready to see what we can do for you? Call us at 1-866-556-3545 or contact us today for a free quote.
