Paddlers know a thing or two about what the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus was thinking when he famously said, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” There is no shortage of outstanding waterways around the world for canoeists, kayakers and rafters to explore—and each one is as different as the people who paddle them. Whether you’re looking for thrilling whitewater, vast wilderness, rich culture or incredible scenery, the world’s bucket list of amazing rivers is mighty deep.
With the words of Heraclitus in mind, some die-hard paddlers will scoff at this article’s premise of picking out a discrete number of the most beautiful rivers in the world for canoeing, kayaking and rafting adventures. But here’s our best shot at a (relatively) short list of the world’s greatest rivers for paddling.
1 South Nahanni River, Northwest Territories
There’s something for just about every type of paddler on Canada’s iconic South Nahanni River. The river is the centerpiece of Nahanni National Park, set deep in the Mackenzie Mountains of the Northwest Territories. Guided rafting expeditions allow mere mortals (including adventurous families) to experience the depths of the South Nahanni’s incredible canyons; portaging is limited to the hike around Virginia Falls, a mesmerizing 100-meter torrent. Meanwhile, skilled whitewater canoe trippers can paddle the entire waterway from the Moose Ponds to the Liard River, a three-week life-list wilderness expedition.
2 Alsek River, Yukon and Alaska
The Alsek River originates in the meltwater of the world’s largest non-polar ice cap in Kluane National Park, traverses deep wilderness surrounded by some of North America’s highest peaks, and provides great opportunities to view grizzly bears as it drains into the Gulf of Alaska. Guided rafting expeditions make the Alsek accessible to all levels of paddlers. Trips include great meals, side hikes off the river and a unique helicopter portage around the Turnback Canyon. Set aside 10 to 14 days to paddle the entire 255-kilometer waterway.
3 Thelon River, Northwest Territories and Nunavut
The late canoe guide and outfitting pioneer Alex Hall called the Thelon River a subarctic Eden. This lengthy waterway flows smoothly and steadily across Canada’s Barrenlands, from the Northwest Territories to Hudson Bay’s western shore. In comparison to other northern waterways, the Thelon is rather bucolic, making it suitable for wilderness-savvy canoeists with limited whitewater skills. It serves as an oasis for iconic northern wildlife; caribou, wolves, grizzly bears and more can be seen in the Thelon’s sparsely forested valley.
4 Bloodvein River, Ontario and Manitoba
The Bloodvein River is a Canadian Heritage Waterway originating in Ontario’s Woodland Caribou Provincial Park and ultimately draining into Manitoba’s Lake Winnipeg. The Bloodvein is a popular river for wilderness canoe trippers looking to take the next step in experiencing a new level of remoteness. It flows in a pool-and-drop fashion through a corridor of polished granite and boreal forest, where it’s possible to view elusive woodland caribou and contemplate ancient Indigenous pictographs on rock faces. Tracing the entire Bloodvein takes about three weeks. You can also charter a floatplane for a shorter outing or sign up for a guided Bloodvein River canoe trip.
5 Ottawa River, Ontario
Flowing through the heart of Canada’s National Capital Region, the Ottawa River is a world-renowned destination for whitewater paddlers. There’s something for everyone here, including exciting rafting excursions for thrill-seeking beginners, great instructional courses for whitewater canoeists and kayakers looking to develop their skills, and world-class natural features for freestyle boating. Best of all, the Ottawa is surrounded by amazing scenery and is paddleable spring through fall.
6 Bonaventure River, Quebec
Located in Eastern Quebec, the scenic Bonaventure River flows from the Chic-Choc Mountains on the Gaspé Peninsula to the Atlantic Ocean. The Bonaventure is noted for its amazing turquoise waters and a mix of class I and II rapids, making it a fantastic destination for intermediate canoeists seeking a bucket-list-worthy river trip. Guided one-day and multiday packages are also available from local outfitters for canoeists and paddleboarders alike.
7 Missouri River, Montana
The Wild and Scenic-designated Missouri River cuts through the stony heart of Lewis and Clark Country in Montana. Known as the White Cliffs section, the Upper Missouri brings history alive, with austere scenery blending a unique mix of badlands and Great Plains. The river’s meanders and gentle current are suitable for experienced flatwater canoeists.
8 Suwannee River, Florida
The Suwannee is not only one of the longest undammed rivers in the Southeast, its 246-mile course from Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp to the Gulf of Mexico ranks it among the greatest free-flowing waterways in the entire Lower 48. The Suwannee provides paddlers with a glimpse of the Old South, where majestic live oak trees, crystal clear springs, and quaint towns replace the usual Florida scenes of theme parks and condos. The Suwannee can be paddled by kayakers and canoeists alike, all part of a wilderness water trail that makes it easy to plan campsites along the way.
9 Salmon River, Idaho
You cannot call yourself a whitewater boater if you don’t get excited about a waterway known as The River of No Return. The Middle Fork of the Salmon River flows through some of the wildest country in the Lower 48, including over two million acres of federally designated wilderness. Guided rafting trips make it possible to experience the otherworldly rock formations, canyons and crystalline water of the 105-mile-long Middle Fork of the Salmon.
10 Green River, Utah
There’s a good reason why so many paddlers spend years waiting on a lottery spot to paddle the Colorado River’s Grand Canyon. Yet in many ways the Green River is just as spectacular—and far more accessible in terms of ease of scoring a permit and the paddling skills required to navigate it—as the “big ditch.” The Green’s lengthy flatwater sections are suitable for canoeists and sea kayakers. Paddling trips are paired with wilderness camping and exceptional hikes through arid landscapes with incredible Indigenous and settler histories.
11 River Wye, United Kingdom
The River Wye is one of Britain’s longest waterways, flowing over 250 kilometers along the border of England and Wales. The Wye is a gem for history buffs and nature lovers alike, revealing the human history of the United Kingdom with ancient cave dwellings and Roman settlements, and providing some of the country’s greatest biodiversity, including otters and a variety of birds. The Wye is suitable for canoeists following a water trail of attractions along the way.
12 Soča River, Slovenia
Flowing out of the Julian Alps near the Italian border, Slovenia’s Soča River is one of Europe’s finest waterways for whitewater boating. The best section for whitewater kayaking stretches from Lepena to Čezsoča, with multiple options ranging from class I to IV rapids for beginners to advanced paddlers, along with stunning emerald-colored waters and views of the Alps. Guided trips and instructional packages are also available.
13 Danube River, Germany and Hungary
The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe and it crosses a vast geography, with each country offering a myriad of options for paddlers. The river’s headwaters in Southern Germany provide easy rapids and watery perspectives of the famous Black Forest. Meanwhile, riverside castles in the Hungarian capital of Budapest speak to the 2,850-kilometer-long waterway’s history as a trade route across from the Alps to the Black Sea.
14 Douro River, Portugal
The idyllic Douro River reflects quintessential Mediterranean scenery, with verdant pastoral hills, ancient homesteads and some of the planet’s best vineyards. It’s possible to paddle inn to inn by canoe or kayak, with guided trips available to provide a more immersive journey. Several tributaries of the Douro offer unique experiences on smaller watercourses with the same Old World feel.
15 Whanganui River, New Zealand
The Whanganui River is a cultural treasure amongst New Zealanders, evidenced by it becoming the planet’s first waterway to garner the status of legal personhood in 2017. Canoeists can experience the Whanganui along a government-designated water trail, which simplifies planning for three- and five-day trips, starting in the community of Taumarunui and finishing in Pipiriki. The river features amazing birdlife, fantastic backcountry camping and rich Indigenous heritage, with local Māori people remaining key river stewards today.
16 Futaleufú River, Chile
The Futaleufú is a rite of passage for big water kayakers, featuring aquamarine waters and some of the most powerful rapids on the planet in the wilds of Patagonia. Pro boaters have their own hard-earned secrets about the Futa. For ordinary paddlers, the so-called Bridge to Bridge section of the river serves up (somewhat) less scary class IV water with great play features. Guided rafting trips are also available.
17 Alseseca River, Mexico
The wild rivers and steep creeks of Mexico’s Veracruz region, east of Mexico City, have legendary status amongst whitewater paddlers. In particular, the Big Banana section of the Alseseca River features an incredible series of world-class waterfalls, stacked one after another and surrounded by lush rainforest. Along with this epic section, a handful of other parts of the Alseseca and neighboring waterways make this a dream winter destination for expert boaters.
Feature photo: Eduardo Lages/Unsplash
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Alex never called the Thelon a subarctic Eden. He reserved that name for a nearby river and out of respect for Alex who liked to be silent about his favorite rivers I will keep that river’s name quiet. The upper Thelon is ok. But there are several far superior barrenland rivers. As for caribou on the Thelon you must mean I in the twentieth century, almost completely gone now.