Scenic views and easygoing rapids along Utah’s Green River make for the perfect paddling adventure with family and friends. Photo: Taylor Reilly / Aurora Photos
Floating downstream allows you to experience gorgeous canyons and remote wilderness you can’t see any other way. But the real beauty of river trips? With a raft to haul your stuff, you can bring heavy coolers full of food, lawn chairs, massive tents, and, yes, your kids. No iPads allowed. Here are six great overnight and multiday river trips suitable for the whole family.
Green River, Utah
Families and laid-back rafters will enjoy the scenic views and leisurely pace of this storied western waterway that tumbles through Dinosaur National Monument before eventually meeting up with the Colorado River. You’ll take post-paddling hikes through redrock slot canyons and hunt for prehistoric fossils. You can do it yourself—Canyon Voyages in Moab offers raft rentals and shuttles—or take a guided, full-service trip with O.A.R.S. From $765.
Rogue River, Oregon
Kids will love the natural water slides and eddies full of salmon and steelhead in the Rogue River canyon. Best of all, the Class II rapids are exciting enough to keep everyone entertained yet mellow enough to keep you from clutching the raft for dear life. Score a permit and rent a raft to charter your own trip,…
