OK. So you want to go river rafting but don't know where to go.

Part of the fun of planning a family river rafting adventure is the research and deciding on the best destination for you. Finding the best answer to "where do I want to go" depends on several things. Things like your skill level, the time of the year, and what your budget is.

The internet is a great tool for finding the perfect destination for your river rafting excursion. If you're not familiar with some of the time saving tips used to research a subject, I'm going to give you some quick tips; you search pros... bear with me, OK. Most people search the internet using general terms... like "river rafting." If you do this, you'll get so much info it will take you days to get through it all. Instead, type a more specific term like 'beginner rafting: Idaho.' You'll get right to the "good stuff" relevent to planning a beginner rafting trip in Idaho. Let's move on.

Take a look at the following locations. They're divided into regions of the US and you should be able to get some ideas for your perfect river rafting trip.

West Coast rafting trips:

* Grand Canyon rafting
* American River rafting and Kern River rafting in California
* Rogue River in Oregon
* Salt River rafting in Arizona

Rocky Mountain Region rafting trips:

* Colorado River rafting in Utah
* Middle Fork of the Salmon in Idaho
* Arkansas River rafting in Colorado
* Flathead River rafting (Glacier national Park) in Montana

Mid-West rafting trips:

* Peshtigo and Minominee River rafting in Wisconsin

East Coast rafting trips:

* West Virginia’s Gauley River
* The Kennebec River in Maine
* Nantahala River rafting in North Carolina'
* Chatooga River rafting in Georgia and South Carolina
* The Deerfield and Millers Rivers (Massachusetts), West River (Vermont) or Housatonic River (Connecticut)
* Lehigh River rafting in Pennsylvania
* The Delaware River in New York and Pennsylvania

Now that you have some great desitinations to choose from, you probably have some questions like, Is rafting dangerous? I have a family with young children. Can they go rafting? What should I wear on the river? How fit should I be to go rafting? Is it strenuous? Or, I've never been before. Which trips are best for me? These are all natural questions and are best answered by the expert instructors. Be sure to ask them before you go and not when you get there. Most rafting websites will have a FAQ link where you can find answers to these and other questions I'm sure you'll have.

There are 6 different classes of rapids:CLASS I Easy - Waves small, passages clear; no serious obstacles. CLASS II Medium - Rapids of moderate difficulty with passages clear. Suitable for everyone. CLASS III Moderate - Waves numerous, high, irregular; rocks; eddies; rapids with passages clear though narrow, requiring expertise in maneuvering. CLASS IV Difficult - Long rapids; waves powerful, irregular; dangerous rocks; boiling eddies; powerful and precise maneuvering required. CLASS V Extremely Difficult - Exceedingly difficult, long and violent rapids, following each other almost without interruption; riverbed extremely obstructed; big drops; violent currents; very steep gradient. Paddlers should have prior Class IV or better whitewater experience. And... CLASS VI Unrunnable!Just like it says... Don't even think about it!

There are many professional rafting companies in the US. Choose an company with experience and the ability to cater to your experience level. Many companies offer 1/2 day to 3 and five day trips. Have fun, be safe, and share your rafting adventure with friends and families.

By Terry Hudson