River/Rapids Rating System

The River/Rapids Rating System helps you understand and prepare for a rafting trip. In short, Class V river rafting trips is for the adventure seeker. Class I trips are for family float trips. Use the classifications below to understand what you will experience then talk to us to help select the proper trip for you.

Class I - Easy. Small riffles. No significant waves or obstacles.

Class II - Novice. Moderate rapids with regular waves, small drops, clear passages and wide channels. Occasional maneuvering may be required.

Class III - Intermediate. Moderately difficult rapids with larger irregular waves, often narrow channels. Complex maneuvering to avoid obstacles required.

Class IV - Advanced. Intense, powerful rapids requiring precise maneuvering in fast, turbulent water. Complex channels with many significant obstacles to be avoided.

Class V - Expert. Extremely long violent or obstructed rapids, often following each other almost without interruption. Drops may have large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with difficult routes. Steep gradient.

Class VI - Commercially unrunnable. The class of a rapid or river can change at different water levels. The temperature of the water, the air temperature, the remoteness of the river, and the difficulty of a rescue can all influence the rapid's class.