Author name: Chelsea Bricker

Husum Falls rafting is the most thrilling moment in Pacific Northwest whitewater, a near-vertical plunge over a river-wide ledge on Washington’s White Salmon River. As the tallest commercially rafted waterfall in the United States, it’s the kind of bucket-list drop that turns first-time rafters into lifelong adrenaline chasers. But before you take the plunge, here’s everything you need to know about when to go, who can run it, how we keep you safe, and what the experience is really like. What Is Husum Falls? Husum Falls is a 10- to 12-foot waterfall on the White Salmon River near Husum, Washington, and the tallest commercially rafted waterfall in the United States. It’s an optional, near-vertical drop run on guided whitewater trips, delivering one of the most exhilarating single moments in all of Pacific Northwest rafting. When Can You Raft Husum Falls? You can typically raft Husum Falls starting in July, once the White Salmon River drops to a safe, manageable flow. Earlier in the season, higher water creates powerful hydraulics and heavily aerated water that make the falls far too dangerous to run commercially. Our guides re-evaluate the drop with fresh eyes every summer before opening it to guests. The river changes from year to year, so the exact start date shifts with snowmelt and flow. If running the falls is the highlight you’re after, book a mid-to-late-summer trip and call ahead to confirm current conditions. How Tall Is Husum Falls? Husum Falls is a vertical drop of roughly 10 to 12 feet over a river-wide ledge. That may sound modest on paper, but the steep, clean plunge combined with the volume of the White Salmon River makes it a genuine rush, and earns its reputation as the tallest commercially rafted waterfall in the country. Is Rafting Husum Falls Safe? Rafting Husum Falls is never a guaranteed clean run, and there is always inherent risk in running any waterfall. That said, your safety is actively managed by experienced guides, safety kayakers, and shore-based staff with throw bags ready to get you back in the boat fast. Running the falls is always optional. We never run Husum Falls until the river drops to a flow our guides judge safe for commercial rafting, and every guest is fully briefed and outfitted before the drop. Your guide’s number one job is the safety of everyone in the boat. What to Expect When Rafting Husum Falls Before you ever reach the lip of the falls, your guide walks your crew through exactly what’s coming. Here’s how a typical Husum Falls run unfolds: The briefing. Your guide explains the drop, the line, and what to do in every scenario, including a flip or a swim. The practice. You’ll rehearse paddling in sync and practice the “get down” position so you can drop in and hold on tight on command. The approach. The raft lines up above the ledge as your guide calls the final strokes. The plunge. You drop over the falls, hit the pool below, and surface to the best kind of chaos: cheering, soaked, and grinning. The safety net. Safety kayakers and shore staff are positioned the whole time with throw bags, ready in seconds if anyone comes out of the boat. Things to Know Before You Raft Husum Falls Husum Falls is the tallest commercially rafted waterfall in the U.S., a 10- to 12-foot vertical drop. The season typically begins in July, when water levels drop enough to run it safely. Running the falls is always optional, you can walk around and rejoin your crew below. Ages 18+ can run it; under-18 guests need a parent or guardian in the raft and permission. Your guide makes the final call based on the group’s readiness and current conditions. All gear is provided, including wetsuit, booties, PFD, and helmet. Husum Falls is the dramatic finale of our half-day White Salmon River rafting trip, located about one hour from Portland. Ready to Run Husum Falls? Whether you’re chasing your first waterfall or coming back for round two, rafting Husum Falls is an experience you’ll never forget. It’s thrilling, it’s challenging, and it’s absolutely worth it. Husum Falls is the grand finale of our half-day White Salmon River rafting trip, and it’s also part of the first half of our full-day White Salmon adventure for those who want a longer day on the water. Both trips are about an hour from Portland, just across the bridge from Hood River. Book your trip today and get ready to paddle hard, hang on tight, and make some serious memories. Half-Day White Salmon Trip Full-Day White Salmon Trip Recent Posts

Husum Falls is running, and we’re now booking high-adventure whitewater trips for the season! As the biggest commercially raftable waterfall in the western hemisphere, Husum Falls offers an unforgettable thrill, if you’re ready for it. At Columbia River Outdoors, we only offer this optional section to guests who meet our strict safety and readiness standards. But, whether you run the falls or walk around, rafting Husum Falls and the White Salmon River is a world-class experience from start to finish. We asked Columbia River Outdoors owner and longtime guide Sean Woody what it’s like to kick off waterfall season: “She’s big, she’s mean, and she’s open for business! It’s been a high water season for us here on the White Salmon and the level is still pretty juicy, but today we had the right crew to send it for our first waterfall run of the season! Husum Falls commands respect, and we are only giving our most experienced, athletic, and adventurous clients the option at this time. Things went great today, but this isn’t f###ing Disneyland. We are good at our jobs and we bring our A game to the river every day, but we can’t just press a big red button and turn the river off if things don’t go according to plan. If you want to run the biggest commercially raftable waterfall in the western hemisphere, you need to bring your A game just like our guides do. Be ready for a high adventure ride, listen to your guide and follow their advice and instructions, and if we think you’re ready we may give you the option of running this rapid. If we tell you no, you will walk around and rejoin the crew after the falls. As the level of the river drops through the summer, we may relax a bit, but this isn’t just a game to us—it’s our passion, our career, and our livelihood. We’re experts in our craft, and we only take risks that we’re comfortable with. The White Salmon River is a world-class section of whitewater, and Husum Falls is just one tiny OPTIONAL part of a world-class trip. You’re going to have an amazing day whether you run it or not!”— Sean Woody, Owner and Guide If you’re looking for whitewater rafting in Washington that delivers intensity, beauty, and serious bragging rights, rafting Husum Falls is the peak of the adventure. Just know—it’s not for everyone. At Columbia River Outdoors, we put safety first and never compromise when it comes to river conditions or client readiness. Ready to paddle into the action? Book your White Salmon rafting trip today and see why thrill-seekers from all over the country come to experience Husum Falls rafting with the pros.  https://www.columbiariveroutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/da230752-43ef-4662-bdc3-d2c8e8be752a.mp4