WA Activities:

Washington Whitewater Rafting
Nooksack River


Click here for a listing of guides and outfitters rafting the Nooksack River.

The Nooksack is located in the North Cascades, 45 minutes northeast of Bellingham. The glaciers and snowfields of Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan, and Goat Mountain feed the waters of this river and incredible scenery. The glacial melt allows for mid to late summer rafting and trips are usually during June through mid-August. In mid-August the Forest Service closes the river to recreational activities to protect spawning Chinook salmon.

Photo courtesy Blue Sky Outfitters

trips are about 8 miles. The river is narrow and strewn with boulders and logs, making precise maneuvering a must. The upper third is in a steep canyon. Lush moss clinging to the rock walls adds to its beauty. This canyon stretch provides many class 3 rapids and few class 4's, like Turtle Rock and Landslide, which will challenge even experienced rafters. Once the canyon opens up, the beauty of the canyon is traded for spectacular views of Mt. Baker and neighboring mountains. This section of the trip is calmer, with mostly class 2 rapids and fun waves.

*The river description above courtesy of Blue Sky Outfitters.

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