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USA Today Reader's Choice - Western River #1 Best Tours in North America

#1 in the USA Today Reader's Choice Awards!

A nomination by the USA Today Reader's Choice Awards started Western River out at #18, but we steadily moved up in the poll to #4 where we lingered... We were honored to get the nomination, and to be in the top 10, but we always strive for the best, so we asked our fans to get out and vote and Bingo! Your votes place Western River Expeditions as the #1 best white water rafting tours in North America! We couldn't be more proud. (We know that means we really have the #1 fans in the world!)

Western doesn't take lightly our claim of providing

Why Travel with Western River »

Western doesn't take lightly our claim of providing "The Best Rafting Vacations in the West". After more than 60 years guiding guests into the canyons we know and love, we have a carefully crafted company culture alliteratively known as "The Western Way".

What is the "Western Way"?

National Geographic Adventure Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth

Award Winning Travel Experiences

A comprehensive ranking of the world's top outfitters—surveyed, sorted, and scored. Western River Expeditions was one of the select few "Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth." Based on a number of criteria, including guest feedback, industry and community involvement, guide interviews and environmental initiatives, Western River Expeditions excelled in every category.

"During its 50+ years whitewater rafting in the Southwest, Western River Expeditions has earned the loyalty of its guides, many of whom have worked for the company for 15 to 20 years. It has also gained the respect of the local community through a partnership with Navajo, Hopi, and other tribes that teaches guides to interpret the landscape from a Native American perspective."

- National Geographic

Utah Best of State Award 10 Years Running

Annual Best of State Award

Western River Expeditions has been the recipient of Utah's Best of State award for unsurpassed service and achievement in both the Adventure Travel and River Outfitters industries for more than 14 consecutive years. The Best of State award is Utah's premier recognition and awards program and was created to recognize outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses in Utah. Best of State seeks those companies that excel and surpass all others in the following categories:

  • Excelling in their endeavors
  • Use of innovative approaches or methods
  • Bringing the highest contribution to a better quality of life

Western River Expeditions considers it an honor, every year, to be a recipient of the Best of Utah award.

Official Best of Black

The Official Best Of Award

Western River's Moab Adventure Center was selected as Utah's "Best Adventure Company" several years running by The Official Best Of, an independent award show that provides TV & web viewers with the official best places to visits across America. A team of researchers scours travel resources, consults with local Convention & Visitor Bureaus, Chambers of Commerce and other experts in the field to select the best companies in given industries.

Don't just take our word for it!

"Oh! The guides are just wonderful. God creates a special species to be a river guide - especially a Western River guide. I don't know where they find these people. They are the most wonderful and delicious people, the most competent, energetic people that I've ever met in my entire life."

The best guides, best company

"We hire guides for their incredible personalities, and we train them in the 'Western Way'. We take guide training very seriously.