Packrafting combines hiking and paddling into a single trip by using a lightweight inflatable boat — typically between 3 and 12 pounds — that packs down small enough to carry in a backpack. The sport originated in Alaska, where rivers that once blocked overland travel became part of the route instead. A modern packraft inflates in a few minutes using an inflation bag (a lightweight nylon sack that captures air and forces it into the raft through a valve), fits into a standard backpacking pack alongside camping gear, and handles everything from calm lakes to moderate whitewater depending on the model. The United States has excellent packrafting terrain across a wide range of difficulty levels. Here are six of the best trips, organized from beginner-friendly to advanced.
1. Brandywine Creek, Delaware (Beginner)
Brandywine Creek is one of the most recommended first-time packrafting destinations in the eastern United States. The creek flows gently through a rural landscape of rolling farmland and mature hardwood forest in northern Delaware, near Brandywine Creek State Park. The water is mostly flat with a slow current, which means beginners can focus on learning paddle technique and getting comfortable in their boat without worrying about rapids or obstacles. The surrounding area has good hiking trails with scenic overlooks, making it easy to build a hike-and-paddle route. For paddlers who want faster water, the Brandywine continues upstream into southeastern Pennsylvania where the gradient increases.
2. Rappahannock River to Kelly’s Ford, Virginia (Beginner to Intermediate)
The upper Rappahannock River in Virginia is a versatile packrafting run that progresses naturally from easy to moderate water. The trip begins with quiet flat water, giving paddlers time to settle in and enjoy the wooded riverbanks. As the river continues downstream toward Kelly’s Ford, the gradient increases and the water picks up energy, producing Class II and occasional Class III waves and features. This progression makes it a strong choice for paddlers who have done a few calm-water trips and want to build toward light whitewater. The river is also easily accessible, with multiple put-in and take-out options that allow paddlers to repeat favorite sections or shorten the trip. Kelly’s Ford itself is a well-known access point with historical significance — it was the site of a Civil War cavalry engagement in 1863.
3. Pine Creek Gorge, Pennsylvania (Beginner to Intermediate)
Pine Creek Gorge, known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, is one of the best hike-and-packraft combinations in the eastern United States. The gorge cuts up to 1,000 feet deep through the Allegheny Plateau in Tioga State Forest, and the 30.5-mile West Rim Trail follows the canyon’s edge with numerous overlooks along the way. A popular packrafting approach is to hike a section of the West Rim Trail (or the rail-trail along the creek’s eastern bank), then descend to Pine Creek and packraft back to the trailhead at Rattlesnake Rock Recreation Area. The creek itself is generally Class I water — moving current with minor riffles — suitable for packrafters with basic skills. The trip works best in spring or after rain when water levels are higher. Pine Creek Outfitters in the area offers shuttle services between the northern and southern trailheads for backpacking and biking trips through the gorge.
4. Upper Lehigh River, Pennsylvania (Intermediate)
The Lehigh River in eastern Pennsylvania offers a step up in difficulty from Pine Creek. The upper section near the town of White Haven includes two stretches of Class III whitewater, making it one of the more accessible intermediate packrafting runs in the Mid-Atlantic. The Lehigh Gorge runs through a scenic wooded corridor, and a rail-trail parallels much of the river, providing a hiking route for hike-and-paddle combinations. Be aware that the Army Corps of Engineers controls dam releases from the Francis E. Walter Dam upstream, and scheduled releases can significantly increase flow — sometimes doubling or tripling the normal discharge. American Whitewater publishes dam release schedules for the Lehigh. On release days, the whitewater difficulty increases substantially, so check conditions before committing. Summer weekends can also be crowded with commercial rafting groups and private paddlers.
5. Harpers Ferry and the Potomac River, West Virginia (Intermediate)
Harpers Ferry sits at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers in West Virginia, where the water gaps through the Blue Ridge Mountains create dramatic scenery and reliable whitewater. The Potomac near Harpers Ferry has Class II and III rapids that are well-suited to intermediate packrafters, and the surrounding landscape — steep forested ridges on three sides, two converging rivers — is among the most striking in the eastern United States. Spring is the best season for packrafting here: higher water levels produce bigger waves and stronger features, and the crowds are smaller than in summer. The Appalachian Trail passes directly through town, making it possible to combine a ridgeline hike on Maryland Heights or Loudoun Heights with a paddle on the river below. Several outfitters in the Harpers Ferry area offer shuttle services and gear rentals.
6. Alaska Backcountry (Intermediate to Advanced)
Alaska is where modern packrafting was born. Sheri and Thor Tingey developed the Alpacka Raft — now the industry’s leading brand, still manufactured by hand in Mancos, Colorado — after Thor completed a 600-mile packrafting traverse of the Brooks Range in 2000. The state remains the ultimate packrafting destination because its vast backcountry is defined by the combination of mountains and rivers that packrafts were designed to link. Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the United States at over 13 million acres, is a classic starting point. Glacier-fed rivers, alpine lakes, and enormous mountain terrain offer routes that range from beginner-friendly flat water to serious whitewater. Other well-known Alaska packrafting routes include the Winner Creek to Twenty Mile River loop near Girdwood (a good introductory trip), the Sanctuary River route in Denali National Park (roughly 13 miles of hiking and 17 miles of paddling), and Twin Lakes in Lake Clark National Park (mostly flat water, ideal for less experienced paddlers). For those new to Alaska packrafting, outfitters like Traverse Alaska (based near Denali) and Kennicott Wilderness Guides (in Wrangell–St. Elias) offer multi-day courses covering trip planning, river reading, and self-rescue.
Bonus: Grand Canyon, Arizona (Advanced / Permit Required)
The Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is one of the most coveted packrafting trips in the world. The full river trip covers roughly 280 miles of canyon with rapids ranging from Class III to Class IV-plus. A private river trip requires winning the National Park Service weighted lottery for a Colorado River permit — demand far exceeds availability. Some packrafters join commercial oar-raft trips and paddle their packrafts on the easier sections while riding in the larger raft through the biggest rapids. Others obtain a backcountry permit to hike into the canyon via routes like the North or South Bass Trail, paddle a short section of the Colorado, and hike back out. The Grand Canyon’s combination of world-class whitewater, side-canyon hiking, and sheer scale makes it the bucket-list trip for experienced packrafters.
Choosing a Packraft
The packraft market has expanded significantly since Alpacka Raft pioneered the modern design. Kokopelli Packraft is another major manufacturer, and several smaller brands have entered the market. Packrafts generally fall into a few categories. Ultralight models weigh roughly 3.5 to 5 pounds and are designed for alpine lakes, calm rivers, and backcountry crossings where every ounce matters. All-around models weigh 5 to 8 pounds and handle a wider range of conditions including light whitewater. Whitewater-specific packrafts weigh 8 to 12 pounds or more and come equipped with thigh straps and spray decks for paddling through Class III and above. Tandem (two-person) models are available for paddlers who want to share a boat. For a first packraft, contacting the manufacturer directly for advice based on your planned use and body size is a good starting point.
Essential Gear
Beyond the packraft itself, a standard packrafting kit includes a breakdown paddle (most are four-piece designs in aluminum, fiberglass, or carbon fiber), an inflation bag, a repair kit with adhesive patches, a personal flotation device (PFD), a helmet for any whitewater paddling, and a dry bag for electronics and valuables. Wear quick-drying synthetic clothing and sturdy water shoes with good grip. In cooler conditions or cold water, a wetsuit or dry suit is essential — cold water is the most underestimated hazard in packrafting. Pack lightweight, calorie-dense food and carry a water purification method. If you are new to paddling, take an introductory course or go with an experienced partner before attempting moving water. Self-rescue and assisted-rescue skills are the most important paddling skills you can learn.
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