Fewer crowds, looser permits, and peak color. Here are five rivers that are at their best for packrafting in the fall.

What makes the Pacific Northwest good packrafting country, and how to scout, permit and plan a run responsibly.

Glacier-carved canyons, wilderness solitude, and the longest undammed river in the Lower 48 — five of Montana's best packrafting rivers.

Glacier-fed rivers, volcanic caldera runs, and turquoise alpine lakes — here are five of the best places to drop a packraft in Alaska.

Granite canyons, Class III whitewater, and high-country solitude — five of the best packrafting rivers in Colorado.

From mellow first-timer floats to multi-day whitewater expeditions — five of the best desert rivers in Utah to explore by packraft.

Scenic Snake River floats, punchy canyon whitewater, and grizzly-country wilderness — five unforgettable packrafting spots in Wyoming.

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