
If you’ve been considering going white water rafting but have no idea where to start, you’ve come to the right place.
Maybe you think there aren’t many places to go nearby or that you have to have some sort of experience to be able to go. Well, we’re here to tell you that luckily that couldn’t be further from the truth! There are in fact several businesses that offer white water rafting tours within a 5 hour drive of Buffalo and most people and even adolescent children are able to go rafting with zero prior experience.
Before hitting the water, your expect guides will explain everything, go through safety precautions, and train you as you go. If nerves are what’s been stopping you, let THIS be your sign to get out of your comfort zone and knock this amazing experience off your bucket list!
Here’s a list of places to go white water rafting within 5 hours of Buffalo and Western New York:
Did we miss one? Did one of these places close? Send us a note!
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Western New York

Zoar Valley Canoe & Rafting Co
11 S Water St, Gowanda, NY 14070 / (716) 410-2824 / zoarvalleyrafting.com
Where: Zoar Valley, Cattaraugus Creek
Season: March-May/June
Distance from Buffalo: 1 hour

Adventure Calls Outfitters, Inc.
7051 Lower Falls Rd, Castile, NY 14427 / (585) 343-4710 / adventure-calls.com
Where: Letchworth State Park, Genesee River
Season: April-October
Distance from Buffalo: 1 hour
The Adirondacks – Western NYS

Whitewater Challengers
16129 Foster Park Rd, Dexter, NY 13634 / (800) 443-8554 / whitewaterchallengers.com
Where: Black River
Season: May-October
Distance from Buffalo: 3.5 hours

Adirondack River Outfitters
140 Newell St, Watertown, NY 13601 / (800) 525-7238 / aroadventures.com
Where: Black River
Season: May-October
Distance from Buffalo: 3.5 hours
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Bob Rafting
124 William St, Dexter, NY 13634 / (315) 639-3210 / bobrafting.com
Where: Black River
Season: May-October
Distance from Buffalo: 3.5 hours
Adirondack River Outfitters
3115 NY-28, Old Forge, NY 13420 / (800) 525-7238 / aroadventures.com
Where: Moose River
Season: ONLY April
Distance from Buffalo: 4 hours
The Adirondacks – Eastern NYS
Adirondack Adventures
4659 NY-28, North River, NY 12856 / (518) 251-2802 / adkadventures.com
Where: Hudson River
Season: April-October
Distance from Buffalo: 4.5 hours
Adventure Sports Rafting Company
6127 NY-28, Indian Lake, NY 12842 / (518) 648-5812 / adventuresportsrafting.com
Where: Hudson River
Season: April-October
Distance from Buffalo: 4.5 hours

Adirondac Rafting Co.
6440 NY-30, Indian Lake, NY 12842 / (518) 523-1635 / lakeplacidrafting.com
Where: Hudson River
Season: May-September
Distance from Buffalo: 4.5 hours
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Adirondack River Outfitters
4511 NY-28, North River, NY 12856 / (800) 525-7238 / aroadventures.com
Where: Hudson River
Season: April-October
Distance from Buffalo: 4.5 hours
Whitewater Challengers
4511 NY-28, North River, NY 12856 / (800) 443-8554 / whitewaterchallengers.com
Where: Hudson River
Season: May-October
Distance from Buffalo: 4.5 hours

Beaver Brook Outfitters
3921 NY-28, North Creek, NY 12853 / (518) 251-3394 / beaverbrook.net
Where: Hudson River
Season: April-October
Distance from Buffalo: 5 hours

Square Eddy Expeditions
282 Main St, North Creek, NY 12853 / (518) 251-5200 / squareeddy.com
Where: Hudson River
Season: April-October
Distance from Buffalo: 5 hours
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North Creek Rafting Company
9 Ordway Ln, North Creek, NY 12853 / (800) 989-7238 / northcreekrafting.com
Where: Hudson River
Season: April-October
Distance from Buffalo: 5 hours
Hudson Rafting Co.
1 Main St, North Creek, NY 12853 / (800) 888-7238 / hudsonraftingco.com
Where: Hudson River
Season: April-October
Distance from Buffalo: 5 hours
Did we miss one? Did one of these places close? Send us a note!
This post was originally published in 2021 and has been updated.