Does the idea of a first descent make you want to get your feet wet? NOLS has a variety of river courses that offer instruction in rafting, kayaking, sea kayaking and canoeing all over the world. Check out what we have to offer and see if one of these fantastic courses is right for you.

Brooks Range Backpacking and River
This Alaska combo course includes a three-week arctic river trip in folding canoes and touring kayaks.

Rock and River
After climbing in Wyoming, explore Green River’s Desolation and Gray canyons, where you’ll master commanding oar boats, paddle rafts, and whitewater kayaks.

Whitewater River Expedition
You’ll learn to kayak, captain a paddle raft, and row an oar rig as you negotiate the whitewater of Desolation and Lodore canyons on Utah’s Wild Green River for 16 days.

River Guides
Designed for aspiring guides and instructors, this 21-day course teaches the fundamentals of reading rapids, rigging boats, captaining paddle rafts, and rowing oar rigs as well as the latest river rescue techniques.

Salmon Backpacking and Rafting
This combo course includes 10 days of rafting on the wild waters of the famous Salmon River in Idaho.

Salmon Backpacking and Rafting Adventure for 14- and 15-Year-Olds
Here you’ll travel on rafts and oar rigs learning basic river skills like scouting, paddle strokes, hazard evaluation and rigging boats.

Yukon Outdoor Educator: Backpacking and Whitewater Canoeing
This 30-day course combines the skills of wilderness backpacking with river canoeing in Canada’s Yukon Territory.

30-Day Yukon Backpacking and Wilderness Canoeing
This course combines true expedition river travel in addition to weeklong backpacking loops.

Baffin Island Backpacking and Whitewater Canoeing
In the surreal and mythical landscape of the Canadian far north, you’ll canoe down a Canadian heritage river.

NOLS semesters with river sections:

AUSTRALIA: Canoeing

AMAZON: Canoeing

INDIA: Whitewater rafting

NEW ZEALAND: Canoeing

ROCKY MOUNTAIN: Kayaking, canoeing, and rafting

SOUTHWEST: Canoeing