Best White Water Rafting in Massachusetts

White water rafting in Massachusetts is a wonderful activity beginning in spring and continuing on through summer and fall. But to make the most of your opportunities it is important to select white water adventures that match your skills and interest in adventure. There really is no need to ruin a perfectly good white water experience by putting yourself in stress or anxiety producing situation. Rafting can be a beautiful and exciting adventure, but is most likely to be so when you choose a river ride that is comparable to your experience and know how. New Englanders are lucky to find rafting at all levels of proficiency among the best white water rafting in Massachusetts.

The Deerfield River. The Deerfield river has its source in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts. On its waters you can find a variety of rafting adventures. Those who are just starting out or who are uncomfortable with high level rapids will find an excellent trip to be had along the Zoar Gap section of the river.

This area of the Deerfield River features Class II and III rapids which will give rafters a sense of adventure without overloading them with terror. Beginners can get a sense of what white water rafting is all about in relatively controlled ten mile stretch of water. Along the way rafters can also enjoy the variety of birds and wildlife the area supports. Included are red tail hawks, beaver, osprey, herons and even bald eagles. At the end of the 10 mile stretch and gone through Zoar Gap you will find it possible to enjoy some natural floating over the side which will glide you past scenic forested shoreline.

The Zoar Gap area is one of the most reliable white water rafting runs in Massachusetts in terms of sufficient water. The runs on the Deerfield River are made possible by water released from a river dam. Zoar Gap benefits from water released on more than 100 days during the spring and summer. To plan your white water rafting in Massachusetts for beginners you may want to contact Zoar Outdoor Outfitters at 1-800-532-7483.

Millers River. Also found in western Massachusetts is Millers River. When the snows of northern Massachusetts and Vermont begin to melt the river swells and creates some great, high action water flow and some of the best white water rafting in Massachusetts.

This is white water adventure taken up a notch. Come prepared to do your share of the paddling on Millers River where you will encounter challenging Class III and IV waters that will get your adrenalin pumping. White rafting on Millers River is limited to paddlers 12 years of age or older for obvious safety reasons. You should definitely pack solid concentration and a willingness to work as part of a team to ride this river.

If you work through Zoar Outdoor Outfitters, you trip along Millers River will include a pull out for lunch consisting of warming soup, home baked bread and a dessert sufficient to energize you for some additional paddling. The trip ends where Millers River approaches the Connecticut river. Following the trip you will be bused back to Zoar headquarters where you can enjoy watching footage of the adventure you just completed. For reservations call 1-800-532-7483.

Concord River. If you live in the eastern half of Massachusetts or possibly in New Hampshire or Maine you may find the Concord River white water rafting trip a more convenient expedition. Rafters meet for this excursion in Lowell and there are two departure times 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Concord River trip has the best white water rafting in Massachusetts especially for people who don't want to drive more than 30 Miles from Boston. There are 3 Class III-IV falls to negotiate and meanwhile you know you are engulfed by countryside once frequented by historic men and women. In fact the Concord River white water rafting trip ends up in river locks that have been in place since 1850. Passing along you will actually end your trip in the center of Lowell, Massachusetts. For safety reasons Zoar Outdoor Outfitters insist that all participants in this white water rafting adventure are at least 14 year of age or older.

There are other outfitters in Massachusetts who can assist you with making arrangements for family, youth group or scout troop trips on these three rivers in Massachusetts. Zoar Outdoor Outfitters is a good place to begin because it has been operational since 1989 and it offers a wide variety of trips on all three rivers.