Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater Rafting
Overview
Whitewater rafting owes its popularity to the unique, breathtaking thrill of experiencing the raw power of a rushing river up close. Nothing quite matches the excitement of shooting through Class IV rapids amid the gorgeous canyons of a Northwestern waterway. While a few gentler runs appropriate for novices do exist, most whitewater runs near Hood River, Oregon are recommended only for seasoned rafters, and hiring an experienced river guide is strongly encouraged.
Best Rafting Runs near Hood River
- Deschutes River: The Deschutes is one of the most popular rafting rivers in the Northwest, and the Lower Deschutes has several runs that can stretch from half a day to a 5-day excursion.
- Hood River West Fork: At its best November-April, the Hood River West Fork is narrow at the put-in, but builds to almost non-stop Class III-IV rapids along the way.
- White Salmon River: The White Salmon and the Little White Salmon both have mouths on the Columbia River Gorge’s Washington banks north of Hood River. Both have rafting runs suitable for all levels, but children under age 10 are excluded from many tours.
- Wind River: The Wind River in SW Washington sports some of the most treacherous and thrilling whitewater in North America; Class IV, IV , and V rapids are common along one brief stretch.
Guided Tours & Rentals
Many expert guided whitewater tours can be found in and around Hood River; prospective rafters should look for certified guides with excellent safety records, like those shown on this page.
- Rivers emptying into the Columbia River Gorge offer some of the most exciting whitewater rafting adventures in the NW.
- The Deschutes, Hood, White Salmon, and Wind Rivers all provide rafting runs of various levels.
- Hiring an experienced, certified river guide is strongly recommended.
All Star Rafting
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With rafting trips on 3 rivers within 1 hour from Mt. Hood, All Star is your one stop shop for summer rafting fun! From family trips to Class IV thrillers, we're ready to go!
Imperial River Co.
Verified
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Class II-III rapids through volcanic rock. Imperial River Co. runs half-day Deschutes trips an hour from Hood. Gear, shuttle, riverside lunch included. Families love it. $89.
Oregon River Experiences
Verified
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Experience the thrill of Mount Hood's rivers with Oregon River Experiences. Unforgettable whitewater rafting awaits. Your adventure is just a click away!
River Drifters
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Offers exciting seasonal rafting adventures across the Columbia River and Wind River gorge areas. Provides necessary gear and also furnishes lunch.
Sea To Summit Tours
Verified
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Ready for an adrenaline rush? Join Sea To Summit Tours for thrilling white water rafting trips on Mount Hood. Experience nature’s power—book your adventure today!
Tributary Whitewater trips
Verified
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Our team of friendly, expert whitewater rafting guides provides high-adrenaline whitewater adventures on the Deschutes River
Wet Planet Rafting, Inc.
Verified
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Wet Planet Rafting has exclusive access for guided river rafting and kayaking in Oregon and Washington.
Aaaa River Rider
Aaaa River Rider offers guided river rafting trips. They have trips for different skill levels. They also have a kayaking and tubing program.
Enrg Kayaking
Enrg Kayaking offers kayaking classes, and adventure trips. On the trips you can go all over the world to practice your kayaking skills.
Linda's Shuttle Service
Linda's Shuttle Service offers a convenient mode of transportation to and from the Deschutes River.
Share-A-Raft
With over 25 years of professional rafting experience, Share-A-Raft caters to any explorer, offering professional, certified guides and top-quality equipment.
Wyeast Expeditions
The place to go to for customized expeditions and tours -great for families, team building and more.
Zoller’s Outdoor Odysseys
Experience the rush of whitewater rafting near Mount Hood with Zoller’s Outdoor Odysseys. Join us for thrilling trips on the White Salmon and feel the adventure!
