River Drifters
River Drifters has been sharing the experience of rafting in Oregon and Washington for more than 40 years. Their passion for adventure and love of rivers drives River Drifters to make whitewater rafting comfortable, fun and accessible to as many people as possible here in the amazing Pacific Northwest. Committed to providing the highest-quality gear, the most experienced guides, the healthiest food and the best value for our customers.
As one of the longest-operating rafting companies in Oregon, River Drifters realizes how much rafting can influence a person’s life. They also see great value in passing on the tradition of whitewater rafting to younger generations. That’s why they are committed to operating our business in a way that preserves the wild and scenic rivers that we all love. River Drifters practices Leave No Trace ethics and share that philosophy with their guests.
River Drifters is focused on providing intimate trips that allow guests to have a thrilling adventure while also experiencing the unmatched beauty offered by the White Salmon river. They take care of the details so that guests can soak up the full whitewater rafting experience, breathtaking views, and unique wildlife along the way. This is why, for many of their guests, whitewater rafting with River Drifters has become an annual tradition.
Experienced, Friendly Guides
River Drifters is locally owned and operated, and many of their guides have been working with us for decades or more. They are fun, interesting people who have a passion for rivers and guiding. They take risk management very seriously. Their guides are accomplished in outdoor skills, trained in first aid, CPR and river rescue, and knowledgeable about the natural and cultural history of the area. They carry communication devices on the river so that they can contact the authorities and the River Drifters office in the case of an emergency.
Top-Quality Gear
Let’s face it. Gear can make or break any outdoor trip, and rafting is no exception. River Drifters provides guests with splash jackets, PDFs and, when necessary, 2-3 mil “farmer John”-style wetsuits. They use only well-maintained, high-quality rafts and inflatable kayaks. The river and water flow as well as the group size dictate the type of raft we use for each trip. The majority of the time, they use paddle rafts that carry 6 to 8 people and one guide. They limit trip sizes to ensure that guests have a comfortable and fun experience. On request, River Drifters can bring inflatable kayaks on their rafting trips.
Healthy, Delicious Food
No matter how short or long your trip, you’ll work up an appetite when rafting with us. River Drifters is committed to providing guests with healthy, delicious meals that typically include meats, cheeses, fresh fruits and veggies, and something to please your sweet tooth. They are more than happy to accommodate guests with special dietary restrictions.
Unmatched Value
River Drifters offers a wide variety of rafting trips at competitive, affordable prices. They provide attractive group deals, limited-term offers and family discounts on special weekends, such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and the Fourth of July.
White Salmon River Rafting
Rafting the White Salmon River is one of the best-kept recreation secrets of the northwest! The White Salmon River is located only 90 minutes from the Portland/Vancouver area. This river offers some of the best class III-IV rapids around and the glaciers of Mt. Adams combined with the immense aquifers in the area, keep the White Salmon bubbling all summer long! The river cuts its way through one of the most beautiful, constricted and heavily forested gorges around. The water is gin-clear, the weather is fabulous and rapids are big and numerous; making the White Salmon River one of the most exciting 1/2-day river rafting trips in the west!
As the Spring days run long and the snow begins to recede, the water levels become lower and the trip becomes more playful. Its at this point (mid-Summer and Fall, when many Northwest rivers are reduced to a trickle) that they shift the trip dynamics a bit. They launch 2 miles upstream (beyond) the normal commercial launch to begin the trip deep in the canyon (thanks to some wonderful private property owners). By launching upstream, they add 2 more miles of class IV water (including rapids like S-turn, Top-Drop, The Flume, Bombers’ Drop and more)! They also portage around BZ Falls, which is one of the most beautiful and picturesque sections of the river. They are extremely privileged and fortunate to offer this, not only for the extra rapids (and to give you more rapids per trip than anyone else) but you truly get to enjoy a canyon untouched by man.
When water levels are low enough to safely offer Husum Falls, an exciting grand finale will conclude the run. Husum Falls is completely optional and you must meet certain age guidelines to paddle this drop, many people walk around and sometimes the entire boat will portage this rapid. In short, this trip is all fun and offers the most rapids!
Trips run daily, starting in March and lasting into November, meeting at 9:30am or 2:30pm!
