4 Day Paddle Guide School

About Us

Beginner II Instruction

Beginner Instruction

Employment

FAQs & Policies

Gift Certificates

Group Rates

Guide School

Guided Trips

Home

Icicle Creek

Kayaking

Leavenworth Activities For Summer

Lower Wenatchee

Private Instruction

Pro Guide School

Rafting Near Seattle

Rapid Progression Course

Regional Links

River Rescue Course (RRC)

River School

Stand Up Paddleboarding

Tieton

Wenatchee

White Salmon

Whitewater Rafting

Wildwater Participant Agreement Form

Cool Off the Wild Way: Paddle the Wenatchee River with Wildwater River Guides

When the summer sun turns up the heat in central Washington, there’s no better way to cool off than grabbing a paddle and hitting the rapids with Wildwater River Guides. Based just outside Leavenworth, WA, Wildwater has been taking folks down the Wenatchee River for over 40 years—and we know exactly how to turn a hot day into a splash-filled adventure.

The Wenatchee River is famous for its warm sunshine, big wave trains, and Class III rapids that are perfect for both first-timers and seasoned whitewater lovers. With names like “Drunkard’s Drop,” “Rock and Roll,” and “Snowblind,” the rapids deliver non-stop fun while the snowmelt keeps things refreshingly cool—even on the hottest days.

But rafting with Wildwater isn’t just about the thrills. It’s about the people. Their guides are professional, safety-certified, and just the right amount of wild—bringing energy, local knowledge, and a great jokes to every trip. They’ll show you how to paddle like a pro, point out hidden wildlife, and make sure you leave the river soaked, smiling, and craving more.

Whether you’re visiting Leavenworth for the first time or a local looking to escape the heat, Wildwater River Guides offers the ultimate summer cool-down. So put on your sunscreen, grab your friends, and come ride the waves. The water’s up, the sun’s out, and the Wenatchee is calling.

 Book early during peak season—sunny weekends fill fast. And don’t forget a dry change of clothes for after—unless you don’t mind grabbing your post-ride drink at Yonder Cider (Cashmere, WA) still soaked in river glory.

When the summer sun turns up the heat in central Washington, there’s no better way to cool off than grabbing a paddle and hitting the rapids with Wildwater River Guides.

Cool Off the Wild Way

Why We “Give a Schnitzel” About Leavenworth




At Wildwater River Guides, we’ve spent decades guiding adventurers down some of Washington’s most iconic rivers—and if there’s one thing we’ve learned along the way, it’s that wild places only stay wild when we treat them with care.

That’s why we’re big fans of Leavenworth’s “Give a Schnitzel” campaign. This creatively named initiative encourages everyone—from locals to first-time visitors—to explore the outdoors responsibly, kindly, and with a little Bavarian flair.



What Does It Mean to “Give a Schnitzel”?



Leavenworth’s “Give a Schnitzel” message is all about protecting the place we all love. Through humor, heart, and helpful tips, it asks everyone to:

* Be good stewards of the land and water,
* Pack out trash and leave no trace,
* Follow fire and river safety guidelines,
* Show kindness and patience to others on the trail, the water, and around town.

It’s a reminder that outdoor adventure and community respect go hand in hand.





While we’re not officially part of the campaign, we really appreciate the message. It mirrors the values we strive to uphold every day on the river: safety, stewardship, and shared responsibility.

Whether we're briefing guests before a whitewater trip or teaching new paddlers how to respect river flow and wildlife, our goal is always to blend adventure with appreciation for the natural world. And just like *Give a Schnitzel* encourages, we believe in leading by example—both on and off the water.





Leavenworth is more than a launch point for our river trips—it’s a community built around nature, culture, and conscious living. The *Give a Schnitzel* campaign captures that spirit with charm and clarity, and we love seeing the growing momentum around thoughtful, sustainable recreation.

So next time you're gearing up for a float, hike, or weekend in the mountains, remember: it only takes a little extra awareness to make a big difference.

Because when it comes to keeping Leavenworth beautiful, clean, and welcoming—we really *do* give a schnitzel.

---

**Learn more about the campaign at:**
[

leavenworth.org/give-a-schnitzel](https://leavenworth.org/give-a-schnitzel/)

At Wildwater River Guides, we’ve spent decades guiding adventurers down some of Washington’s most iconic rivers—and if there’s one thing we’ve learned along the way, it’s that wild places only stay wild when we treat them with care.


Give a Schnitzel

The Perfect Pairing: Wildwater River Guides and Yonder East

Experience the best of Wenatchee's outdoor adventures and local flavors in one unforgettable day

Exclusive Offer: $1 off for Wildwater Guests at Yonder East

To make the best of your day, and make your trip even more rad, we have partnered with Yonder East to give you a discount on your celebratory beverage after your trip with Wildwater! It’s the perfect way to toast to your adventure and enjoy the local flavors of the Wenatchee Valley.

 to see what you get to experience after an epic day on the water!

Nature lovers and water enthusiasts can find the perfect pairing by taking a whitewater river trip with Wildwater River Guides and enjoying a crisp cider afterwards at Yonder East. Wildwater meets its guests in Cashmere, WA, which also happens to be the location of central Washington's quickly rising favorite cider spot. Wenatchee Valley is well known for being the Apple Capital and for having gorgeous rivers. Now the two have combined for a perfect day.

Since 1980, Wildwater River Guides has been touring guests down the Wenatchee River. It is our home base, and a river we absolutely adore. A couple of our favorite rapids are “Rock and Roll”, “Snowblind”, and “Granny’s Panties”. Central Washington experiences, on average, nearly 300 days of sunshine, making it one of the most popular rafting destinations in the state.We begin our trips near the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth, and take out in Cashmere, which gives our guests the prime opportunity to experience both awesome rapids and epic natural beauty. Our top-notch equipment, highly certified guides, and exceptional guest service will provide you with a memorable experience, whether you're a seasoned rafter or a first timer.

After the river trips, we always get asked where to get a beverage or some food. Our answer? Yonder East in Cashmere. Yonder East is just minutes from the Wildwater take-out point. Their taproom offers 14 ciders on tap, including seasonal slushies and limited-edition releases. (There is even n-a slushies for the kids and non-drinkers!) There are also 3 rotating Washington-made beers for those who want to change it up. They have an expansive indoor and outdoor space, rotating food trucks, and a family-and-dog-friendly environment. It is the PERFECT spot to relax after a day of paddling. They craft their ciders from apples grown here, in the Wenatchee Valley and throughout the PNW. Talk about supporting local?!?! One of Ashley’s (our office manager) favorites is their “Palisades”. It is a dry cider that is both bright and refreshing with blackberries and sage.

Yonder East Taproom Discounts in Cashmere

We would like to begin by acknowledging that the land on which we operate, specifically the Wenatchee River located on the P'squosa tribal lands, the Tieton River located on Yakama tribal lands, and the White Salmon River located on Wasco tribal lands, is stolen indigenous land. We recognize the historical and ongoing injustices inflicted upon the P'squosa, Yakama, and Wasco peoples, whose connection to this land predates colonization.

For centuries, these lands have been stewarded by the P'squosa, Yakama, and Wasco tribes, who have a deep cultural and spiritual relationship with the rivers, mountains, and valleys that define this region. We acknowledge and honor the resilience, knowledge, and wisdom of these indigenous communities, as well as their ongoing contributions to the preservation and conservation of these natural resources.

At Wildwater River Guides, we strive to be mindful of our position as guests on this stolen land. We are committed to promoting respect, understanding, and collaboration with the P'squosa, Yakama, and Wasco peoples. We recognize that true reconciliation requires not only acknowledging the past, but also actively working towards a more just future.

In line with this commitment, we support the movement for land back, which seeks to restore indigenous lands to their rightful owners and empower indigenous communities to regain control and sovereignty over their ancestral territories. We believe in the importance of listening to and amplifying indigenous voices, supporting indigenous-led initiatives, and engaging in meaningful partnerships that promote indigenous self-determination.

As we enjoy the beauty and adventure that the Wenatchee, Tieton, and White Salmon Rivers offer, we humbly acknowledge the P'squosa, Yakama, and Wasco peoples as the original and continuing caretakers of these lands. May we all join together in fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future that respects and uplifts indigenous peoples and their sacred connection to the land.

Land Acknowledgement

 is officially IN and its HIGH WATER! Last week already went over 16,000 CFS. The stoke is high, and we have all of our equipment out and ready! The early season scramble to find all of your gear, prep your boats, and check your rescue equipment can be stressful and confusing. How in the world did your left shoe grow legs and walk out?! Wildwater River Guides wants to help you reduce some of the stress before you get out on the high water event on the 

. Our guides collectively came up with what they look for, and what they prepare this time of the year!

First things first, you need to outfit yourself. Helmet (check the buckle!), Paddle, Booties/Shoes (both of them preferred…). How about your Drysuit? Did you check your gaskets? Sending in your drysuit to get repaired can take a while, so send it in now! Warm layers are also essential. Fleece and wool are going to be the best to wear on the water. Even when wet, these materials will help keep you warm. It’s best to avoid cotton on the water as much as possible.

Checking the conditions of your inflatables and hard shells is an extremely important early season task. It can take time to get these things fixed if you are needing to send it in. Washing your boats after getting them out of storage is a great idea. Use soapy water to check for any leaks coming out of the valves.

How about your rescue equipment? We triple check our med kits to ensure they are not out of date nor are they missing essential items. Our throw bags get thrown and rolled back up so that we get a visual of the rope to clarify that they are in working order for rescue. While you're collecting all of your equipment, do not forget to give your whistle a blow! These can seem to look functional from the outside, but can easily not work after sitting. It is super important to be able to alert other boaters that there is an issue. High water moves quickly, and having the proper functioning equipment is key to our success on these big levels on the Wenatchee River

Finally, it's time to advance your skills and gain certification. Wildwater River Guides provides a 

 course that meets all of the requirements for an ACA level 4 swiftwater rescue certification through Sierra Rescue. Our kayak courses span anywhere from first time beginners, to those looking to advance in the confidence. We have 

 is offered in the spring, and began 2 weeks ago! Join us this year for all of our different offerings on the 

To see what our Lead Instrucor, Andy, has to say about what to carry in your pfd, click here! 

With the beginning season upon us, it is important to know where all of your gear is and if it is in good working order. Our staff collaborated to give some insight as to what we do to get ready for the river, and how to successfully set yourself up for a fun season! 

Where is my ___?!

          We all find ourselves in Class II rapids at some point; they may be part of the boogey water between the Class IVs or they may be the highlight drops of the stretch. Maybe Class II is at the uppermost reaches of your current abilities, or maybe Class II is your warmup. Either way, Class II stretches shouldn’t be neglected: they are excellent training grounds for honing technical skills and phenomenal areas to attempt uncomfortable or just-out-of-reach moves in a relatively low-consequence environment. 

 and information by our instructors to kick off your Class II skills sessions.

          Where eddies are abundant, challenging yourself to catch every eddy can make time pass incredibly slowly. Zigging and zagging through a rapid that is usually run straight down the middle offers ample opportunity to play with edging, stroke timing, and reading rivers. As you attempt to catch every eddy from the obvious to secret, take the time to work on your ferrying skills by adjusting boat and blade angle, edge, and boat positioning. Ferrying could be an entire skill-building segment of its own, but it’s great to incorporate into down-the-river activities as well.

          Practicing rolling in calm water can be great for refining proper technique, but practicing in moving water will help you feel the nuances of the combat roll. For paddlers just figuring out what currents feel like when upside down, try low-flow eddies that won’t whirl you about as much while you’re holding your breath. For those who don’t often find themselves underwater because the quality of their braces keeps their hair dry, this can be a great opportunity to intentionally put yourself in swirly, boily, and dynamic head-under situations. Remember proper technique and keep yourself tucked forward in the shallow stuff, but practicing combat rolls as you enter or exit eddies can improve your underwater resiliency and make you more comfortable when the rolls really matter.

What seems like a more advanced skill can be made highly manageable for most paddling skill levels. Entering and exiting eddies backwards is great for understanding boat control and the practice can come in incredibly handy on tight, narrow creeks where turning your boat around is not an option, but even simply spinning a boat backwards in a wave train can develop critical whitewater skills. Challenge yourself to use only back strokes as you navigate through Class II, just as you would traditionally use only forward strokes to move forwards throw flow. Sessioning this skill can improve situational awareness, strengthen the muscles that aren’t usually worked while paddling, and solidify your overall relationship with your boat.

          By using only one blade of your paddle, you’ll likely be forced to practice different strokes than usual. The oft-used, vertical forward stroke will only get you so far if you can only do them on the left hand side, and you might need to go left so a sweep might not work out either. Think about both bow and stern draws, skulling, and odd combinations of strokes. Just as you might have a dominant hand in daily life, paddling on only one side can reveal strengths and weaknesses on different sides. Use your judgement for when you might need to quickly throw a stroke on your unchosen side to get to where you need to be – as with any of these skill-building tips and tricks, keep the environment and hazards in mind.

          Can you even call it paddling if the point is not use your paddle or your hands? Is it just kneeing or footing instead? Anyways, hands-free boating is a great exercise for edge control, tilt, and subtle inputs from your body to your boat. Practice really tilting and edging to get the boat going where you want it. Feel how different pressures in your feet affect the pressure in your knees and therefore the rise of the boat. This slow-moving exercise relies heavily on river currents. The river will have the final say, so be prepared to add in a few strokes to move away from anything of high hazard or consequence.

          Remember! These are all challenge-by-choice situations, and can be enacted by paddlers of most skill levels to some degree or another. As always when on whitewater, keep in mind your personal skill set, the hazards and consequences of the water around you, and the skills you want to improve. Let’s go kayaking!

Making the most of Class II sections comes in many forms

. Sometimes there are epic surf waves to be caught on the fly or with eddy service, sometimes there are just-right eddy lines that make a stern squirt come off effortlessly. But even when conditions aren’t as playful as they could be, there are ways of making a relatively ho-hum stretch of river a little more challenging. Here are five of our favorite ways to add some spice to your next Class II ramble.

Whitewater Kayaking: Skills and Drills (Part One)

We had a dry winter, but April brought a bucketload of water to our snowpack. What does that increased Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) mean for our rafting season?

While our January felt more like JUNE-uary and February and March followed suit with warmer-than-usual temperatures, the month of April brought us the snow we were craving. We don’t pay attention to snow levels just to know if we should go skiing or snowboarding, but also so that we can make some predictions about what our rafting and kayaking season might look like. In short, snow is water and water means rafting!

Rivers collect water from their watersheds – little creeks merge into larger creeks, which merge into larger creeks, and so on until they become full-on rivers. Where this water comes from differs from watershed to watershed but can include glaciers, springs, rain, and snowpack. A river can be fed by one or all of these sources, and those sources give each river some of its own unique characteristics.

While the technical source of the Wenatchee River is Lake Wenatchee, its flow fluctuations are mostly due to melting snow and accumulating rainfall. With a watershed that includes 12 sub-basins (smaller tributary watersheds), the Wenatchee River receives water from as far away as Buck Creek of the Chiwawa River. As the snow melts from the ridgelines surrounding Leavenworth, Cashmere, and beyond, the Wenatchee fills and gives rise to some of the rapids that we know as Gorilla, Rock’n’Roll, and (perhaps appropriately named) Snowblind.

While the snowpack was looking a little sparse at the beginning of April, we have been encouraged as a whitewater community by the unexpected end-of-season storm that swept through our ridgelines. We are (as of May 5, 2022) sitting at 119% of the “usual” snowpack. This is great news, but you might be wondering what exactly that means. This is where it gets a little more scientific and a little less “snow is water, water is river, river is rafting, rafting is fun”.

The calculation of the “usual” snowpack data comes from a variety of Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) sites located throughout Washington. These SNOTEL sites provide critical information about winter weather, including snow depth and snow to water equivalent (SWE). Snow depth is simply how deep the snow is on the ground, and if you’ve ever taken a ruler out and measured the snow in your backyard, you’ve performed a snow depth measurement! Because snow can be of different densities (think wet, heavy slush versus light, powdery flakes), the depth of snow alone is not enough information to make judgments about how much moisture is in the snowpack. This is where SWE comes into play. SWE is simply the amount of water contained within the snow; it answers the question, “If all of this snow had been rain, how much rain would have fallen?” For rivers, this gives us some indication of how much flow is stored up in the mountains.

The “usual” snowpack refers to the median SWE at that site for the past 30 years, also called the Period of Record. The current Period of Record is 1991 to 2020. The percentages that appear on the map are calculated by comparing the daily SWE measurements at each SNOTEL site to the median SWE of the Period of Record. Thus, we infer that the 119% that we see on the map on May 4, 2022, indicates that the SWE of that specific date is 19% greater than the median from 1991-2020. For more information and explanation on SWE and what those percentages mean, check out the resources below.

The moral of this snow story is that we are delighted by our current snowpack and looking forward to getting on the Wenatchee now and (hopefully) for a long while into the summer. The usual adage of “April showers brings May flowers” should prove true for our Wenatchee season, though instead of blooming flowers we’re excited about blossoming flows. We may have questioned that surprise April snowstorm, but current data gives us reason to be grateful for all the snow we shoveled unseasonably late in the winter season.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wenatchee Planning Watershed Assessment Maps

.” County of Chelan Natural Resources, 11 Feb. 2015.

Nowlin, Mark, and Seatte Times graphics staff. “

Tracking Washington State's 2021-22 Snowpack through Maps and Charts.

How Snowpack Is Measured and How to Read the Map

United States Department of Agricultural Natural Resources Conservation Service.

April Showers Bring May Flow(er)s

Reserve your rafting trip before May 31st, 2021 and receive a free Wildwater River Guides cotton t-shirt.

Please specify the size requested in the notes for the rafting trip in the

“Do you have any requests or additional information?” 


Add your cotton t-shirt to your reservation and use the discount code: 


Give us a call if you have any questions during the booking process. 509-470-8558

MAY GIVEAWAY

Our friends at River Dog Outfitters are offering Bald Eagle trips on the Wild and Scenic North Fork of Nooksack river this winter. This is a great way to get outside and experience one of the largest gatherings of Bald Eagles in North America.

This trip is not your average eagle float! Due to the dynamic character of the Nooksack river guest need to be agile enough to step in and out of the raft potentially several times throughout the trip to navigate around river debris, be confident walking in shallow moving water as well as scrambling down the river bank at the put-in!

This section of the Nooksack has stretches of mild whitewater but in the hands of RDO, you can sit back and relax! We provide low profile personal floatation devices for you to wear! Our guides are all swift water rescue trained as well as CPR certified along with several years of commercial whitewater raft guiding to make your experience stress free!

Nooksack Eagle Floats

There are currently no COVID related restrictions or guidelines for trips in 2022!

We are open for business and running trips! We are mostly back to "normal" operations for all of our trips. Starting last year we integrated online waviers into our services to limit contact between staff and guests. The only main change in operations is that we are still requiring masks to be worn on our shuttles (vans, buses, mini-shuttles, ect.). We know many americans have choosen to get vaccinated but the CDC is still requiring that people wear masks on public transportation. So please bring your mask to wear on the shuttle and if you don't want it to get wet bring a ziplock bag to put it in, otherwise you can clip it to your PFD for the trip.

You can learn more about the CDC order here:


https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/Mask-Order-CDC_GMTF_01-29-21-p.pdf

Unfortunately we have had an employee test positive for COVID-19 and therefore have closed down all rafting trips and instructional courses. We have also made the difficult decision to not reopen later in the season. This is a hard decision for us to make but with new restrictions and limitations on group sizes along with positive cases and hospitalizations on the rise in our community we feel that it is best that we remain closed for the health and safety of our staff and our guests.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this has caused to families and groups that had booked trips for later in the season. We have provided full refunds for everyone affected.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to the 2021 season.

We are open for the 2020 season! We are excited to offer trips and we are ready to get you on the river. Please be patient with us during the time of transition. Due to state and county restrictions, we will be limiting the number of people that are able to be on each trip. Along with smaller trips, we will also be limited on what rivers we can offer this season as we have a smaller guide staff than normal. As always we strive to provide a fun and professionally guided experience for each and every one of our guests.

Here at Wildwater River Guides, we are always looking out for the well-being of our guests and our staff. In light of the risks associated with COVID-19 all of our rafting trips, kayaking courses, and SUP trips are currently closed in order to be in compliance with the 

 plan. Under this plan, there are 4 phases to reopening Washington businesses. As many of you know, the majority of the state is currently in phase 1 of this plan.

Based on the information provided by the State and our local authorities we will be able to offer all of our trips under phase 3. There is a chance that some of our instruction courses for kayaking and our Summer Guide School course will be allowed in phase 2. We are still waiting on clarification before we can proceed.

Due to the uncertainty of when we can begin to operate some of our full-time guide staff have been looking for work elsewhere. This means that it’s highly likely that we will only be able to offer a limited number of trips and courses this season.

Furthermore, we will be taking extra precautions this season and are currently working on setting up a new operating plan to navigate through these uncertain times. We already clean and disinfect rafting equipment after every trip, but we will be increasing the amount of cleaning and sanitizing protocols for our vehicles, rafts, paddles, and other equipment that guests come into contact with.

We thank you for your understanding, support, and patience through this difficult time and look forward to spending time on the river with you all in the near future.

Lance, Justine, Landyn + the rest of Team Wildwater

You can learn more about the 4 Phases of this plan here:

https://coronavirus.wa.gov/sites/default/files/202...

Updated Operating procedures for our Rafting Trips, Kayak Instruction, and all other trips/offerings as of May 13th, 2022.

Covid-19 Information

In these times of uncertainty why stress over a bad hair day?

Send an email to info@wildwater-river.com

Available hats include: (Prices below include shipping costs and tax!)

Red brimmed foam front trucker hat with Wildwater logo screen print. $20

Grey trucker hat with Wildwater embroidery. $25

Black brimmed foam front trucker hat with Wildwater logo screen print. $20

Apparel Highlight: Wildwater hats

For the month of May we are hosting a photo contest. We want you to share your favorite WILDWATER memories.

Follow the directions listed below and we will enter your name to win a FREE trip on the river of your choice. It's that simple, really!

Make sure you are following us on Social Media

Share your favorite Wildwater Photos on Facebook and/or Instagram

Make sure to tag us! (Facebook: Wildwater River Guides -- Instagram: @wildwater.river.guides) and include the hashtag #WRGPHOTOCONTEST (and maybe #throwback so your friends don't think you are breaking the stay home order)!

Each day you post a photo we will count it towards your name in the drawing! We want to flood social media with your favorite adventures so don't be shy!

Only one person can win so make sure you continue sharing throughout the month of May! This FREE trip is a gift from us to you, so it will roll over to next year (or years to come) if you are unable to use it this season. We will be announcing the winner on THURSDAY, JUNE 4TH.

For the month of May, we are hosting a photo contest. We want you to share your favorite WILDWATER memories.

PHOTO CONTEST: SHARE YOUR FAVORITE WILDWATER MEMORIES

Do you want to get paid to play in the outdoors? Raft guiding allows you to work outside, making it a great summer job for outdoor enthusiasts. In fact, many professional river guides started their whitewater career as a summer job while attending classes during the rest of the year. Prior to guiding rivers in Washington, one must complete a certified raft guide training course. Wildwater offers a 7-day guide training course on the Wenatchee River that prepares you to be a commercial river guide. No previous experience is necessary, but we highly recommend that you are in good physical condition, as this hands-on training course takes place on the river and can last from 8:00 am - 5:30 pm.

Although we run rivers all over Washington, our base is located in the Wenatchee Valley. This year Wildwater is offering a few scholarships to local college students and recent high school graduates. Recipients of our scholarship will receive a $375 guide training course at no cost. To learn more about becoming a guide at Wildwater check out our guide training page at 

http://wildwater-river.com/rafting/guide-training

If you are interested in applying for our scholarship please send a resume and cover letter to info@wildwater-river.com, detailing why you want to be a river guide at Wildwater.

Do you want to get paid to play in the outdoors? Raft guiding allows you to work outside, making it a great summer job for outdoor enthusiasts. In fact, many professional river guides started their whitewater career as a summer job while attending classes during the rest of the year.

Guide School Scholarships

On my way to the river I roll down my window just to hear the roar of the water at Sunset Falls. Standing at the bottom with the mist from the falls still hitting my face from 20 feet back gives me such a respect for the power of water and keeping rivers wild. Once you experience the river firsthand you will understand why there is more than enough reason the Forest Service recommended the river to be designated as Wild and Scenic.

 truly a special place; for the community, the river is a staple for the wildlife, recreation, and raw beauty. The Skykomish is one of my favorite rivers because the rapids are 

, the scenery is majestic with Mount Index in the backdrop, and the water is so clear you can look down from your boat and see huge steelhead swimming underneath the surface.

Mount Index watching over rafters. Photo: Lance Reif - Wildwater River Guides

To give a little history on the Skykomish, in 2008 the 

 (public utility district) developed a list of 140 new potential Hydro-power sites in four regions of Washington State. The list was narrowed to 40 sites then later to a dozen.2 In 2009 the PUD conducted a more in-depth study to identify viable Hydro-power resourcing from the South Fork of the Skykomish River. Since then, 

 has been actively involved in the discussion about the Sunset Falls Project and other potential hydro-power sites. “American Whitewater was invited to provide input on these sites along with partners in the conservation community.”1

The Sunset Falls Project was proposed on a segment of the river corridor that has multiple state and federal protections already established. 

“The South Fork Skykomish is a State Scenic Waterway, the Forest Service has recommended it for Wild and Scenic designation, the reach is protected from hydropower development by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, and instream flows are protected by the State of Washington.

Despite public opposition and previously established protections the PUD continued to pursue the project and filed for the permits in December 2011 to develop the site.“The project initially envisioned an inflatable weir that would have blocked and diverted water through turbines at the falls. The project was changed in 2014, eliminating the weir and replacing it with an underground tunnel that would have diverted much of the water around the lowest falls, through hydropower turbines and back into the Skykomish River channel.”3

American Whitewater and other conservation groups including; 

, came together in June 2011 to oppose the Sunset Falls Project.

In 2013 the groups stated in a motion to intervene: 

“Conservation groups are opposed to the Project due to the impacts that would result from damming and dewatering one of the region’s most treasured free-­‐flowing rivers...The key to recognizing the promise of increased hydropower generation is choosing the right sites. The South Fork Skykomish River is simply an inappropriate river to consider for new hydropower generation. The proposed Project is contrary to local, state and federal laws, policies, and comprehensive plans. The proposed Project site is on a reach of the river that has been recommended to Congress by the USDA Forest Service as a Wild and Scenic River, is identified as a Protected Area from hydropower development by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, and recognized in state statute as a State Scenic Waterway.”4

Earlier in April, the PUD came to a settlement about ceasing the Sunset Falls Project. According to American Whitewater, “

While we committed to the settlement process in good faith, we are pleased with the decision to emphasize cost-effective conservation and alternative renewable energy resources as alternatives to the development of a hydropower project at Sunset Falls.”1

Personally having commercially guided and played on the Skykomish River, I could not be happier with the outcome of the Sunset Falls Project and I am thankful for the hours spent by those involved in protecting it. After commercially guiding Class IV and V rivers across the country, in my 9 years on whitewater I have never experienced a river quite like the Sky, it truly is an amazing place to be. Whether you decide to run boulder drop (optional class V rapid) or not, even looking at the rapid humbles you to the natural forces of water. With such big and powerful features, there is no fighting the current but instead connecting and moving with it, as Burt Reynolds once said “you don’t beat this river”.

For now, the Skykomish River will remain wild under the Washington State Scenic River and other protections already in place, stating that the protection and preservation of the Skykomish (including Sunset Falls), “shall be preserved in as natural a condition as practical.”4 The Project is in terminated for the time being, “H

owever, if higher growth occurs over the longer term, 10 years or beyond, the PUD could seek out additional energy resources in the mid-2020s time period

.” - said PUD Commission President Kathy Vaughn.3

This year we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the 

, and we are hopeful that the Skykomish River will soon enter into the protections of the National Wild and Scenic Act, as recommended by the Forest Service and supported by the community and conservation groups. I am dedicated to protecting the places I love and am in full support of the groups and people advocating for rivers to stay wild and undeveloped for future generations.

We want to thank American Whitewater for continuing to support the community and environment when conducting studies and advocating about these rivers and areas that mean the most to us. I could not imagine driving by a trickle that used to be Sunset Falls or standing near the pool below, knowing all of its power is contained underground. I am grateful to experience the sheer beauty of the Skykomish River for years to come, in its natural form -- wild and free-flowing!

If you want to learn more about the river trips we offer or experience it for yourself, please call the number or click the link listed below to reserve your next adventure on the Skykomish River.

 article by Thomas O’Keefe on April 13, 2018

 by Snohomish County Public Utility District on April 11, 2018

 Editorial: How a lightbulb saved Sunset Falls April 12, 2018

Sunset Falls Hydroelectric Project Preliminary Permit, Project No. 14295 - Motion to Intervene

Electronic Filing - Study Request July 19, 2013

 - A case in why protection as a Wild and Scenic river matters - Seattle Times Sept. 28, 2008

On my way to the river, I roll down my window just to hear the roar of the water at Sunset Falls. Standing at the bottom with the mist from the falls still hitting my face from 20 feet back gives me such a respect for the power of water and keeping rivers wild. Once you experience the river firsthand you will understand why there is more than enough reason the Forest Service recommended the river to be designated as Wild and Scenic.

Sunset Falls Project Terminated: The Skyomish river still runs wild!

My whitewater experience all began when I won a permit to raft down the Grand Canyon. A coveted opportunity recognized by boaters across the world fell into the lap of a largely, if not wholly inexperienced ‘boater’. I use parentheses here to emphasize how much I had to learn before truly calling myself a whitewater boater, let alone feel prepared enough for the challenges I found within the Grand Canyon.

I immediately began searching far and wide for the right company to invest in; a company that will devote their time in return to teach me the ways of whitewater rafting. I needed it all. How to read the water and all of its intricacies, how to rig a boat properly, and what to do when, despite my best efforts and decision making, the river takes its turn and does what it pleases with my boat.

Big hit on the Wenatchee River, Leavenworth

Enter Wildwater River Guides. I was in touch with multiple outfitters, and running into dead-ends either through lack of communication, companies that did not share the same passion I was seeking and not receiving the attention and information I expected from a professional company. When I got in touch with Wildwater, I knew almost immediately that this was a different group of people.

Speaking over the phone with Lance Reif, the owner of the company, I realized that he was not only a passionate boater himself, but also a friendly guy willing to talk me through my expectations and needs. Once I was in touch with everyone at Wildwater, my search for the right company ended. I had found them, and I couldn’t have been more excited. My expectations and hopes were soon to be blown out of the water, pun intended.

Wenatchee River in Leavenworth, Washington

Once I got to Leavenworth, WA where they are based out of, I was immediately brought into the family that is Wildwater River Guides. Over the coming weeks I learned valuable knowledge and shared in priceless experiences and memories that I will never forget.

My training included everything from safety protocols and precautions, chalk talks about river dynamics, the various parts and functions of the raft, and what to expect out on the water. We spent countless hours running the Wenatchee River, watching and learning from the guides that trained us, and getting time to guide the boats ourselves! After enough time, once the guides felt we were ready, we started to run longer sections of the river. The progression that the course took was perfect. We were ready and well prepared for the challenges the guides saw fit for each of us individually.

The way the Guide Training course at Wildwater is organized results in the perfect mix between hands-on experience and digging deeper into the knowledge of river running. Both of which are absolutely necessary in both recreational and professional boating. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From being welcomed with open arms to being taught in the most professional manner the ins and outs of whitewater rafting, my experience at Wildwater will not be forgotten. There isn’t another company I would recommend, even after meeting other companies that I know and respect.

The author at Redwall Cavern located in the Grand Canyon

Wildwater River Guides is not only the best outfitter for guide training, but in my opinion, the only option that is worth your time and investment. Don’t hesitate to sign on with this group of amazing people, you won’t regret a thing and you will learn what you need to know to begin your own whitewater story.

-Hayden F.
Telluride, CO

Grand planes to become a river guide

The benefits of corporate team building are widely know, but do your employees cringe at the thought of another boring company event?

 found that 31% of office workers secretly hate team building activities.

Do you think it's because of all of those silly ice-breakers they are forced to participate in?

Happy employees getting ready for a rafting trip

We encourage you to shake-it-up a bit and plan a rafting trip as an exciting alternative to the once mundane company get-togethers. Below you will find just five reasons why we believe that a rafting trip with Wildwater can help benefit employee morale and productivity in the workplace.

Spending time in Nature increases morale and boost your mood

1. Fresh Air & The Benefits of Getting Outdoors

Spending time outdoors can do wonders for the mind and body. An adult working full-time reports logging close to 50 hours/week, spending the majority of the daylight hours inside at their desk in 

Cool Off the Wild Way

Contact Us

Reservations & Information

Follow Us

Read or post a review: