Sauk River Whitewater Rafting

Guided

Duration: 4 hours

North Cascades National Park • Bellevue • Bellingham • Seattle

Features

Locally Owned

Wildlife

Shuttle Included

Instant Book

$135 Person

(General Admission - Guided Raft)

Description

Half-Day Sauk River Whitewater Rafting Trip

Located just 75 miles from Seattle, the Sauk River offers a high-adventure whitewater experience for those seeking a true escape into the wild. The Sauk River rafting trip is an adrenaline-filled, Class III-IV whitewater journey through the dramatic, glacier-fed waters of the North Cascades. Surrounded by soaring peaks like Mt. Pugh and Whitehorse Mountain, this trip has continuous, splashy rapids with a remote wilderness feel that makes it one of the best commercial rafting options in Washington.

Designed for intermediate to advanced paddlers, this trip is not beginner- or kid-friendly—participants must be able to swim and have prior whitewater experience. Rapids like “Six of One,” “Alligator,” and “Jaws” challenge paddlers with technical maneuvering, fast water, and big waves, especially in early-season high flows. Along the way, you’ll also catch glimpses of wildlife like osprey, otters, and salmon, adding a serene natural beauty to the rush of whitewater.

If you're looking to immerse yourself in one of Washington’s wildest river canyons, the Sauk River delivers. This is whitewater rafting at its most untamed—fast, thrilling, and framed by some of the most jaw-dropping alpine scenery in the Pacific Northwest. If you’re looking to level up from beginner rivers and crave a heart-pounding whitewater challenge in a stunning mountain setting, the Sauk River is the ultimate northwest rafting adventure.

Duration

Trip Duration: 1.5–2.5 hours on water (total 2.5–4 hrs). Duration varies depending on river flows.

Trip Length: 7.5 miles

Season: April - August

Location / Where to Meet

Old School Park

1026 Alvord St, Darrington, WA 98241

Ages & Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years old

Minimum Weight: 90 lbs

Guests must be able to swim and have previous whitewater rafting experience.

What's Included

Experienced guides on every raft
All rafting & safety equipment, including helmet, paddle, & PFD
Type V Life Jacket specifically designed for whitewater
Shuttle to and from the meeting location and take-out location

Not Included

Wetsuits (available for rent)
Lunch
Gratuity

What to Bring / Wear

Wetsuit, if you have your own
Tennis Shoes, sandals, or booties (protection for your feet)
Warm Socks (not cotton)
Base Layer (capilene, under armor, etc)
Extra clothes like fleece or wool (not cotton)
Rain Shell or Splash Jacket
Medical necessities (Insulin, etc.)

Do NOT Bring:

Personal belongings (do not take valuables on your trip)
Cell phones
Anything cotton
Lunch (save it for after your trip)
Beverages (save it for after your trip)

Sauk River Whitewater Rafting

ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY Triad River Tours

FAQs

Sauk River Rafting Trip Itinerary

Trip Itinerary (9am as an example):

9am: Meet at Old School Park in Darrington. Get geared up.
9:15am: Drive to White Chuck Boat Launch in Triad vehicle.
9:30am: Prepare to launch/begin safety talk.
10:15am: On the river
10:15am-12:15pm: Raft through beautiful scenery and wonderful rapids.
12:15-12:30pm: Off river/ride back to your car at Old School Park.
12:45pm: Return to civilization with stoke meter cranked to highest level possible.

Are your guides certified?

All of our guides are Washington State certified, and have medical and rescue training.

What should I do with my stuff when I am on the river?

Lock it in your car. Preferably in the trunk or at least out of sight.

Can I bring my GoPro camera?

Yes! Indeed. We cannot guarantee availability but some of our helmets have GoPro mounts on them, which you can use.

Are wetsuits required?

Yes, wetsuits are required. You may bring your own or rent one from Triad at the rate of $10 per person, per day. Our wetsuits are 3mm NRS Farmer Bill type, and they are laundered between each use.

Do you rent booties?

No, we encourage you to wear wool socks and your own preference of footwear. An old pair of tennis shoes will provide you with more comfort, fit, and support, than booties (usually).

Is it appropriate to tip our guide?

Yes, it is! 10-15% of the trip cost is standard.

What is the weather policy?

We raft rain or shine!

How close is the Sauk River Rafting trip to Seattle and Bellingham?

Closest Cities:

Seattle & Bellevue, WA – ~75 miles, ~1 hour 30 minutes
Everett, WA – ~47 miles, ~1 hour
Mount Vernon, WA – ~51 miles, ~1 hour 10 minutes
Bellingham, WA – ~90 miles, ~2 hours

Closest Small Towns:

Darrington, WA – 0 miles, trip meets here
Rockport, WA – ~19 miles, ~25 minutes
Concrete, WA – ~27 miles, ~35 minutes
Marblemount, WA – ~26 miles, ~35 minutes

Cancellation Policy

Should you have to cancel your trip plans, deposits and final payments are non-refundable.
Should you arrive after the scheduled meetup time of your reservation, your trip is considered a no-show and is cancelled without refund.
You are welcome to send alternate guests in your place at no extra charge.
If we replace your canceled space(s) with other guests, a cancellation fee is charged - $50 per person for single day trips, and 50% of the total cost of any multi-day trip.
If you feel you may not be able to make your trip please inform us as soon as possible and we can try to find alternate guests.
We offer cancellation coverage for $10 per person, which allows you to cancel or reschedule outside of 24 hours, recouping all trip charges, taxes, fees.