Columbus Edited Scaled — Beautiful day on the Chattahoochee. (Grace Howard/ Bama Buzz)

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

Columbus2 — Columbus, for many years, was mainly a port city. (Grace Howard/ Bama Buzz)

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

River4 — Rainy day on the rapids. (Pat Byington/ Bama Buzz)

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.