This Alabama river was ranked one of the country’s best rafting trips

In a recent publication, rafting company OARS ranked their top rafting locations in every state. For whitewater fanatics, it’s no surprise that they chose the Chattahoochee as Alabama’s top rafting trip.

Keep reading to learn more about what makes the Chattahoochee one of the country’s highest rated rafting spots.

The Chattahoochee’s history

The Chattahoochee has a long history, dating back to its use as a trade center and industrial city in the South in the 19th century. While the rafting park sits between Phenix City, Alabama and Columbus, Georgia– the river actually runs all the way from Blue Ridge, Georgia down to Chattahoochee, Florida.

The Chattahoochee Whitewater Park was created in 2010 when city planners decided to makeover the Chattahoochee from an industrial site to a recreational hub, according to OARS. Now, it is home to the longest urban whitewater rafting trip in the world.

An adventure seeker’s paradise

The 2.5 mile trip offers a wide range of experiences, from a beginner’s lazy river to an adrenaline junkie’s Class III-IV+ rapids. Want to test your skills? One of the most legendary rapids is the Cutbait, a whooshing class V rapid notorious for its high speed and rough waters.

Here’s a tip for rafters: the whitewater portion of the Chattahoochee is dam-released with a milder, lower flow in the morning and wilder, higher flow later in the day. Don’t want to face the fierce rapids? Get there early and enjoy cruising the relaxing waters.

Other top-rated trips

So what other trips made the list? Here’s a few more locations that OARS ranked the best in the country.

• Suwanee River in Florida
• Chattooga River in Georgia
• Nantahala River in North Carolina
• Nolichucky River in Tennessee
• Shenandoah River in Virginia

Want to know more about Columbus? Check out our guide: How to spend a perfect day in Columbus, Georgia

Have you been rafting on any of these trips? Tag us @bhamnow and let us know!