Whether you're brand new to packrafting or it's already your favorite way to get deep into the backcountry, mark your calendar — the American Packrafting Association is bringing a Regional RoundUp to Maine for the very first time, and it's happening in one of the most iconic paddling landscapes in the Northeast. From September 4–7, 2026, packrafters from all over will gather at Big Eddy in Millinocket to paddle, learn, and swap stories in the shadow of Katahdin. If you've bee

Hike-and-float alpine lakes and roaring Cascade whitewater — five of the best packrafting destinations in Washington State.

The Deerfield River just earned 40 years of protected whitewater releases. Here’s why the August 1 River Fest is worth the trip — and why a packable boat is the best way to ride it.

Much of the West is bracing for a serious fire season. Here's how American Whitewater's new Wildfire Map can keep your river trips safe — and why a packraft is your best friend when plans change.

Deep in the border country where Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada meet lies one of the most remote rivers in the American West. Here's why packrafting the Owyhee in low season is the adventure you didn't know you needed.

Most river accidents don’t start with bad gear or bad weather. They start with poor communication, unclear roles, and misplaced trust. A successful river trip depends just as much on the people around you as the equipment you bring. Good teams communicate clearly, understand each other’s abilities, and know how to respond when conditions become stressful. That’s the focus of Be WaterWise #20 – Wise It, part of the ongoing Water Wise safety series from the American Packrafting

Reading moving water isn’t just a skill — it’s what keeps you alive. Every river is constantly changing. Water levels rise, currents shift, hazards move, and features that looked manageable yesterday can become dangerous overnight. Understanding how to read those changes is one of the most important safety skills any paddler can develop. That’s the focus of Be WaterWise #19 – Read It, part of the educational Water Wise series created by the American Packrafting Association. T

The first skill you need on the water isn’t paddling harder or moving faster — it’s knowing how to get yourself out of trouble. No matter your experience level, flips and swims are part of river travel. The difference between panic and control usually comes down to preparation and practice. That’s exactly what Be WaterWise #18 – Self Rescue It focuses on in the ongoing safety education series from the American Packrafting Association. This episode starts with one of the most

There’s nothing quite like loading a lightweight packraft into your backpack, hiking deep into wild country, and launching into water that few people ever get to experience. Packrafting opens the door to remote rivers, alpine lakes, glacier-fed valleys, and multi-day expeditions that traditional rafting simply can’t reach. If you’re planning your next adventure, these are five bucket list packrafting destinations that deserve a spot on your summer lineup. Whether you’re chasi

Most beginners reach for their paddle the second things start to feel unstable. But on moving water, the real skill is often in the tilt. Instead of fighting the river, experienced paddlers learn to let the water move beneath the boat while staying balanced and controlled above it. That’s the focus of Be WaterWise #17 – Edge It, part of the outstanding educational series created by the American Packrafting Association. This episode dives into some of the most important boat c

Montana was practically built for packrafting. Massive mountain ranges, glacier-fed rivers, remote wilderness, and endless public land make it one of the best states in the country for backcountry paddling adventures. Whether you’re looking for technical whitewater, scenic alpine floats, fishing access, or multi-day wilderness expeditions, Montana offers some of the most unforgettable packrafting terrain anywhere in North America. Here are five of the best packrafting destina

Do you actually practice buddy rescue skills before you need them? Most paddlers spend time thinking about gear, river levels, and route planning—but rescue skills are often treated like something you’ll “figure out” in the moment. The reality is that moving water doesn’t leave much room for hesitation. When something goes wrong, your reactions fall back on what you’ve practiced. That’s why the American Packrafting Association created Be WaterWise #16 – Buddy It, part of the

Controlling your boat on moving water comes down to three things: how you move forward, how you steer, and how you stay upright when things get wobbly. Whether you're brand new to packrafting or building confidence on faster current, mastering these fundamentals can completely change how you move through the river. That’s exactly what the American Packrafting Association focuses on in Be WaterWise #15 – Style It, part of their ongoing Water Wise safety series designed to help

There’s nothing quite like loading up a lightweight raft, hiking into the backcountry, and paddling through places most people will never see. Packrafting combines backpacking, river travel, camping, and exploration into one unforgettable adventure — and summer is the perfect season to get out on the water. Whether you’re chasing alpine lakes, remote wilderness rivers, or multi-day canyon expeditions, these destinations stand out as some of the best places to go packrafting t

River accidents don't start in the rapids. They start weeks before the trip — in the planning stage, when decisions are still easy to change. Be WaterWise #14 – Plan It covers route selection, reading flow charts accurately, identifying hazards and bail-out options, and making sure someone on shore knows your plan. It also connects directly to the APA Packraft Safety Card — a laminated pre-paddle checklist covering Before You Go, Communication & Safety, and Equipment. Made po

When preparing for a packrafting trip, most paddlers focus on major gear like the raft, paddle, helmet, or PFD. However, one of the smallest and most important safety tools you can carry is a whistle. A whistle is a lightweight emergency signaling device designed to help paddlers communicate and attract attention in remote outdoor environments. Because packrafting often takes place on loud rivers and in isolated wilderness areas, shouting is rarely effective during emergencie

When it comes to river floating, fishing, and outdoor recreation, many people make the mistake of buying inexpensive float tubes year after year — only to replace them after punctures, seam failures, fading materials, or general wear and tear. While cheaper tubes may seem like the more affordable option upfront, they often end up costing significantly more over time. That’s where the Go North Rafts River Float Tube stands apart. Unlike low-cost inflatable tubes designed for o

When temperatures drop and river water turns icy, keeping your hands warm becomes one of the most important parts of staying comfortable and in control on the water. For kayakers and packrafters, two of the most popular cold-weather hand protection options are pogies and paddling gloves. While both are designed to help maintain warmth during cold conditions, they work very differently and each offers unique advantages depending on the environment and style of paddling. Pogies

This May 1st–3rd, 2026, Go North Rafts will be joining thousands of riders, builders, outdoor enthusiasts, and adventure seekers at the legendary The One Motorcycle Show in Portland, Oregon. Hosted once again at the historic Zidell Yards, the event has become one of the biggest and most unique motorcycle gatherings in North America. (The One Motorcycle Show) Known for its massive collection of custom motorcycles, live music, stunt shows, BMX demos, classic cars, live art, and

When choosing between a packraft and a traditional hard-bottom raft, it ultimately comes down to how—and where—you plan to use it. Both have their place in the water world, but for versatility, accessibility, and real-world usability, packrafts have quickly become the smarter choice for most outdoor users. What’s the Difference? Packrafts are lightweight, inflatable rafts designed to be compact and portable—often packing down to the size of a sleeping bag. Hard-bottom rafts (