What to Pack for a Rafting Trip
What you need to bring depends on the length of your trip. Your outfitter provides the big stuff — raft, paddles, helmets, life jackets — but everything else is on you. Here are packing checklists for half-day, full-day, and multi-day trips, based on what 477 outfitters across the US recommend.
What to bring, in short
What is included varies by outfitter, especially wetsuits and lunch. Confirm when you book.
- Outfitter provides
- Raft, paddles, life jacket, helmet, guide, shuttle
- You bring
- Quick-dry clothes, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, water
- Footwear
- Closed-toe or heel-strapped; no flip-flops
- Never wear
- Cotton - it stays wet and cold
- Sunglasses
- With a retainer strap
- Bring cash for
- Tipping your guide, 10-20%
What should I wear whitewater rafting?
A swimsuit or quick-dry shorts and shirt, and shoes that can get wet and stay on your feet. Avoid cotton entirely — it holds water and gets cold fast. In cold water or early and late season, most outfitters supply a wetsuit and splash jacket.
Do I need to bring my own life jacket or helmet?
No. Commercial outfitters provide the raft, paddles, life jacket and, on Class III and up, a helmet. The safety gear is part of the trip price.
Can I take my phone on the river?
Only in a waterproof case, and expect to have both hands on a paddle. Many outfitters carry a communal dry bag for essentials, and most station photographers at the big rapids so you can buy shots afterwards.
What changes for a multi-day trip?
Warm layers for camp, a rain jacket, camp shoes, wool or synthetic socks, a headlamp and personal medications. Your outfitter sends a detailed list — follow theirs over any general one.
What the Outfitter Provides
Almost every commercial outfitter includes the following in your trip price:
- Raft, paddles, and safety equipment — life jackets (PFDs), helmets (Class III+)
- Wetsuits and splash jackets — in cold water or early/late season (varies by outfitter)
- Dry bags — most outfitters carry a communal dry bag on the raft for essentials
- Transportation — shuttle from the outpost to the put-in and back from the take-out
- Trained raft guide — your guide handles the back of the raft and calls the paddle commands
What is included varies by outfitter. Always confirm before your trip — especially wetsuits, lunch, and photos.
Snowmelt rivers stay cold long after the air warms up, so a wetsuit is normal there even in June. Washington is the clearest case: the Skykomish runs on Cascade melt from March into July, and the Sauk carries Glacier Peak meltwater through a mid-May to late-July season. Ask what the outfitter supplies before you pack for warm weather. See Washington outfitters.
Half-Day Trip Checklist (2-4 Hours)
Half-day trips are the most popular format. You need the basics and nothing more.
Essentials
- Swimsuit or quick-dry shorts and shirt (no cotton)
- Closed-toe shoes that can get wet — water shoes, old sneakers, or sport sandals with heel straps
- Sunscreen (waterproof SPF 30+, applied before you gear up)
- Sunglasses with a retainer strap (Croakies or similar)
- Water bottle (Nalgene or similar — no glass)
- Towel and dry clothes for after
- Cash for tipping your raft guide (10-20% of trip cost)
Optional
- Waterproof phone case (if you want photos on the river)
- Hat with chin strap or visor
- Insect repellent
- Snack bar for the drive back
Full-Day Trip Checklist (5-8 Hours)
Full-day trips add a riverside lunch break. Pack everything from the half-day list, plus:
Add to Half-Day List
- Lunch and snacks (if not provided by outfitter — ask when booking)
- Extra water — at least 1 liter beyond what you bring for a half day
- Long-sleeve UPF shirt or rash guard (full-day sun exposure adds up)
- Lip balm with SPF
- Extra sunscreen for reapplication at lunch
- Lightweight dry bag for personal items (some outfitters provide, some don't)
- Personal medications (inhalers, EpiPens, etc.)
Multi-Day Trip Checklist (2+ Days)
Multi-day expeditions require more gear. Your outfitter will send a detailed packing list — follow it closely. This covers the general essentials:
Clothing
- Quick-dry clothing for each day on the water
- Warm layers for camp (fleece, down jacket — temps drop at night in river canyons)
- Rain jacket (lightweight, packable)
- Camp shoes or sandals (for evenings off the water)
- Wool or synthetic socks (no cotton)
- Warm hat and gloves for early/late season trips
Gear
- Sleeping bag (outfitter may provide — ask)
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Personal toiletries (biodegradable soap, toothbrush, etc.)
- Book or cards for camp downtime
- Camera with waterproof case
- Dry bags (2-3, different sizes — keeps gear organized)
- Small first-aid kit (blister care, ibuprofen, any personal meds)
Don't Bring
- Cotton clothing (stays wet and cold for hours)
- Expensive jewelry or electronics you can't afford to lose
- Hard-sided coolers or glass containers
- Anything you'd be devastated to drop in the river
Pro Tips
Wear your river clothes to the outpost. Most outfitters have you gear up on arrival — there may not be a changing room.
Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before arrival. Once you're in a wetsuit and PFD, it's too late to reach your back and shoulders.
Leave your car key with the outfitter. They usually have a lockbox or will hold it at the front desk. Don't bring it on the river.
Strap everything to your body. Glasses need a retainer. Hats need a chin strap. If it's not attached, the river will take it.
Ready to pick a river?
477 outfitters across 235 rivers. Start with the corridors that run the most commercial trips.
Busiest rafting rivers
River hubs, ranked by how many outfitters run them.
Data based on 477 verified outfitters on Whitewatr. Last updated August 2026.