The Most Scenic Rafting Rivers

Let the river be your road to some of the most scenic outlooks the country has to offer, at least when things cool down enough to let you look around instead of wielding your paddle through the froth. What we're talking about here are those special ribbons of water that afford views of soaring mountain ranges like those in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. These carry you deep into the water-rubbed majesty of ancient desert canyons, and they visually stun you with the spectacle of colorful mountain laurel, rhododendrons, maples, and hickory oaks rounding the next river bend.

American River, California
Cache la Poudre River, Colorado
Chitina and Copper Rivers, Alaska
Flathead River, Montana
Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, Arizona
Green River (Desolation Canyon), Utah
McKenzie River, Oregon
Methow River, Washington
Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho
Penobscot River, Maine
Sauk River, Washington
Skykomish River, Washington
Snake River (Hell's Canyon), Oregon/Idaho
Trinity River, California
Yampa River, Colorado