Constant upkeep is imperative and regularly performed during the season. And let us find the best rafting trips for you. One of the best spring rafting trips in California, the free-flowing North Fork American River typically runs March through mid-June. June – The Ocoee White Water Rafting season is now in full swing. With intricate boulder gardens, rushing falls and staircase drops, this 10-mile stretch of California whitewater rafting promises intense paddling and plenty of adrenaline-inducing thrills for adventurous paddlers looking for a good challenge. Still, those few fortunate boaters who run the Illinois each year bring back tales of glory. Even the occasional cool day is pleasant since the water temperature stays so warm. The weather is warm with air temperatures in the lo w 90s and Ocoee River water temperatures in the mid 60s. It doesn’t get dark in July and August until well past 8 PM so a 4 PM or even 5 PM trip gets you back to the outpost in plenty of time for an evening of good food, great people and awesome rafting stories. The fall colors create a spectacular back drop for your Ocoee rafting adventure. The Ocoee river only runs on the weekends (middle Ocoee only) but even Saturdays are crowd free. There are very few rafts on the river which means you can extend your trip with extra whitewater play time as long as you’d like. The air temperature is in the 90s and the Ocoee River water temperature is in the mid 70s. We’re talking about the best spring rafting trips in the West, the coveted runs that offer optimal rafting conditions for only a short period of time each season, if at all. Expect a crowd waiting for you at the boat-flipping Class IV+ Lochsa Falls and wish for the best. This is a trip for the adrenaline-addicted who don’t mind having an audience since much of the river runs adjacent to scenic Highway 12 and the pullouts provide prime viewing for spectators. Depending on the day you may want to wear a wetsuit or spray gear to make sure you stay warm. … OARS is proud to be an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service and a permitted outfitter under the National Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Another advantage is, as fall whitewater rafting season begins, longer trips can be planned. On the same note, the lower the water level, many smaller rapids become larger or rated at a higher level, due to additional waves created by rocks or obstructions in the water, or they become more technical to run. September – Most of September is like August except the river doesn’t run during the week (weekends only). WHERE: Idaho. The busiest days are also the longest days of the year. So catch them if you can. Grade 5 White Water Rafting New Zealand. Temperatures fluctuate from a low of 50 degrees during the shoulder seasons to a high of 115 during the summer months. Everything gets cleaned and repaired. Yet, operators use the off-season to scour every inch of their equipment in their warehouses fixing any dent, ding or potential problem. The total length of the river is 280 river miles as the start of Grand Canyon begins in Marble Canyon at Lees Ferry and ends at Pearce Ferry near the mouth of Lake Mead. Our operators use every moment they can during the tourism lull, excitedly preparing behind the scenes. Cari Morgan is OARS’ Communications Manager. The weather is still hot and the Ocoee River water temperature is in the mid 70s. This however was during a time when the water from Lake Powell was spilling over Glen Canyon Dam, and being released at around 100,000 cubic feet per second. Some would argue this highly-sought-after rafting trip rivals the Grand Canyon. A great combination is to do a Mountain bike trip in the cool of the morning then a rafting trip in the hotter afternoon. Raftable flows can start as early as March and run through June, or may not run at all in years with a below average snowpack. The CRMP helps to meet the distribution goals and regulations in place to properly distribute the water amongst these areas. No other time of the year can match the beauty of October in the Ocoee River gorge. The Ocoee’s busiest times are Saturday trip times between 10 AM and 2 PM in July, August and September. It’s hard to find a parking space. April – This is a great time for Ocoee River rafting. The water is warming up with Ocoee River water temperatures in the mid to upper 50s. There are over 200 miles of boatable water, with the Lower Owyhee serving up a popular combination of whitewater, solitude, and incredible desert scenery. Every year the amount of water being released changes with the amount of moisture gained in the winter, due to this rafting outfitters cannot guarantee any water levels during any time of year. O.A.R.S. And with an average drop of 28 feet per mile, abundant rocks and long stretches of unbroken whitewater, the Selway is considered one of the most challenging whitewater rivers in the U.S. For those with the technical skills to run this gem, expect crystal clear water, rising cutthroat, sandy beaches and amazing cedar-lined hiking trails. Rather than rest and relaxation, we and our operators are doing the hustle and bustle, making sure everything is perfect for the next season Grand Canyon whitewater rafting trips. Utah's Green River. The south is 7,522 ft in elevation. The Middle Ocoee runs 5 days a week (Thursday – Monday) and the upper Ocoee runs on the weekends. sees a lot of use during the commercial Grand Canyon rafting season. Finally, bear in mind that although the Summer months are some of the most popular times to raft, Fall months such as September and October provide a quieter, less crowded experience for your group. Wetsuits are no longer needed but the occasional cloudy or rainy day may be cool enough for spray gear. There can be long lines of rafts waiting to put on the river. The Middle Owyhee features Class IV rapids and the infamous Class V Widowmaker, and therefore is for expert river runners only. The upper Ocoee only runs the first 3 Saturdays so no more upper or full river trips after Sept. 17. The air temperature is usually warm 70s – 80s and the Ocoee River water temperature is still in the 70s. Most kids are either back in school or preparing to return to school in late August so Sundays and weekdays are relatively open. Class: II to V. When: April to October. The middle Ocoee runs 5 day a week (every day except Tues. and Weds). July is the busiest Ocoee rafting month but you can still beat the crowds if you plan your trip for early morning or late afternoon and avoid Saturdays. Ten Mile), No Name Falls, and Broken Bridge. It’s a tributary of the Rogue River in the Siskiyou Mountains of Southern Oregon that is run much less often than talked about. Rapid names like “Grim Reaper” and “Terminator” say it all. The free-flowing Lochsa River, which tumbles down from its headwaters in the Bitterroot Mountains, is an Idaho whitewater classic. May – This is the beginning of the busy rafting season. No matter which section you float, the Owyhee River is a rarely-visited but mesmerizing river in its bizarre beauty. The air might be brisk, the water will definitely be icy, and there’s a chance you could even get snowed on, but there’s nothing quite like chasing those elusive early-season flows. And of course it’s the most expensive time to go. Boaters who are able to snag a coveted Yampa River permit get to explore some of the most remarkable sandstone canyons in the country, paddle through Class III-IV whitewater, camp on sandy beaches and enjoy incredible side hikes in the heart of Dinosaur National Monument. This is a solid technical run that’s not for newbies. The more electricity needed in the surrounding states, Las Vegas for example, the more water is let down the river. As you can imagine, all of the rafting equipment (rafts, oars, motors, dry bags, tents, cots/sleeping pads, chairs, coolers, life jackets, etc.) But for the lucky folks who time it right and find themselves at the bottom of this remote chasm with 800-foot basalt walls towering above them, a thrilling and challenging run awaits. It’s harder for Raft One’s staff to give you the personalized attention you deserve. Which spring rafting trips do you chase each season? Regardless of the water flow speeds, there is one constant and that is the fact that towards the mouth of lake mead, when nearing the end of your full or lower canyon raft trip, the water does slow down. Instead, white water rafting season in the Grand Canyon is generally during the warmer months when air conditioning becomes a necessity in the Southwest, and more water is needed downstream for agriculture. Since the Kaweah is free-flowing before it reaches Terminus Reservoir, you have to catch this thrilling spring rafting trip during the peak snowmelt window which is typically April through June.