US River Trips to Consider for Your Next Family Vacation

There are tens of thousands of rivers in the United States. Some of those rivers are small, while others like the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers are massive. Many of the larger rivers in the US have made it possible for cargo containers to reach their destination via boat. And those same rivers have been used by river cruise boats to take passengers on adventures of a lifetime. Almost all the rivers in the US have been used for fun family activities though. Families like yours can venture down them during rafting tours or by tubing, kayaking, and even paddleboarding. Your family can even hike alongside some of the most popular rivers in the country. If you have been searching for a unique family vacation activity, I recommend checking out these US river trips.

US River Trips to Consider for Your Next Family Vacation

Virgin River

The Virgin River flows through the beauty of what is known as Zion National Park. This river is the perfect choice for your next family vacation if you all love to hike. One of the most popular hikes in Zion National Park is the Narrows. This trail will take your family along the Virgin River, as you hike near one-thousand-foot-tall canyon walls. You have two options for this hiking adventure. The first is to start at the Temple of the Sinawava and hike ten miles north until you reach Big Spring. The other option is to go south starting at the North Fork and hike sixteen miles to Big Spring.

American River

The American River in California is an excellent option for whitewater rafting. This river is one hundred nineteen miles long. The river begins within the Sierra Nevada Mountains and ends in the Sacramento River. There are three forks in the American River, and they include the North, Middle, and South. The beginner friendly rafting fork is the South. That area offers Class II and III rapids, which are perfect for half day trips. The other two forks offer Class IV and V rapids, which are better if your family is considered expert rafters. If you don’t care about whitewater rafting, you can always choose to hike near the North Fork. There are plenty of swimming holes there, which are wonderful for cooling down on those hotter days of the year.

Hanalei River

You will need to take a vacation in Kauai if you want to participate in activities on the Hanalei River. This river forms near Mount Wai’ale’ale and goes directly into Hanalei Bay before reaching the Pacific Ocean. Paddleboarding is a favorite family activity on this US river. During your one-mile journey down the river, your family will have the opportunity to see hibiscus shrubs, palm trees, taro fields, and rushing waterfalls in the distance.

Hudson River

Deep within the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York is where the Hudson River is located. Yet, you will find that same river more than three hundred miles to the south separating the states of New York and New Jersey. Kayaking and canoeing are two favorite activities on this river. But if you are looking for other options, I recommend taking a walk on the Walkway Over the Hudson, which is just over a mile long. You may also want to venture over to Bannerman Castle and wander around the abandoned grounds.

Columbia River

The Columbia River begins within the Rocky Mountains. This river is slightly more than twelve hundred miles long and goes through the states of Washington and Oregon before it reaches the Pacific Ocean. My favorite spot along this river is the Columbia River Gorge. It is in that area where your family can do a little windsurfing, kiteboarding, or whitewater rafting.

Colorado River

The Colorado River is quite large at more than fourteen hundred miles. This river actually goes through seven different states, as well as eleven national parks. Most people prefer to go whitewater rafting on this river near the Grand Canyon. There are a few different multi-day rafting adventures to choose from, so I know we can find one that will work best for your family.

Merced River

The Merced River is another river located in California. You can combine time at this river with a family vacation in Yosemite National Park. In fact, one of the best ways to see both Yosemite Falls and El Capitan is to take one of the river rafting adventures along the Merced River.

Snake River

The one thousand plus mile Snake River begins in Wyoming and travels through three more states until it reaches the Pacific Ocean. One of the best ways to experience this river with your family is to hop onto a drift boat. The boat will take you from Jackson Hole to Grand Teton National Park. It is a rustic experience that everyone will love.

These are a few of the US river trips you should consider for your next family vacation. Each US river offers unique experiences, so I can work with you during our planning session to see which one offers everything your family will love during a vacation.

So, are you ready to book a US river trip for your next family vacation?

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