Don’t Miss the Tieton River Flip Flop!
Experience the thrill of the fastest moving, fastest dropping whitewater in Washington State! For one short month every September, the Tieton River becomes a wild ride on Class 3+ rapids, dropping 55 feet of elevation each mile.
Well-known by whitewater lovers as the “Flip Flop,” this special time of year happens when water flowing out of the Rimrock Reservoir is increased, dramatically boosting the flow of the Tieton River. The water release officially serves to support irrigation for Yakima Valley farms and to make way for spawning salmon. It has the eagerly anticipated, added benefit of turning the Tieton River into one of the best whitewater rafting areas in all of Washington. Since the water is released primarily for irrigation, the flow is controlled at a steady rate for the entire Flip Flop season. This means the river consistently rushes at about 2,000 to 2,200 cubic feet per second. Another bonus, with the water warmed in Rimrock Lake all summer, it’s also some of the warmest whitewater rafting in the region.
For an exhilarating, safe ride without the worry, book a professionally guided rafting trip. Local guides are experienced with every aspect of the river’s challenges and have the expertise to ensure even first-time rafters will be paddling like a pro within just a few minutes.
Blue Sky Outfitters offers all-inclusive tours to make your rafting trip as easy and as fun as possible. They provide wetsuits (if needed), paddles, helmets, life jackets, safety instruction and transportation to and from their staging area.
Want to check out the action on the river before you take the wild ride? Find numerous areas along Highway 12 where you can stop to watch groups of rafters flying by.
Check out more things to see and do this fall in the Yakima Valley.
Categorized in: Family Fun, Outdoor Recreation