Rafting in Türkiye

Köprülü Canyon near Antalya is the easy, popular run; the Çoruh at Yusufeli, the Zamantı and the Melen are wilder and more seasonal.

Where and when

Köprülü Canyon (Antalya) — Köprülü Canyon National Park
Çoruh river (Yusufeli) — Yusufeli and the Çoruh valley
Zamantı river (Kayseri–Adana)
Melen river (Düzce)

Season

Köprülü: about eight months a year according to the Antalya Culture and Tourism Directorate. Mountain rivers depend on snowmelt and dam releases; spring and early summer usually have the most water.

Adventure Pins mark the town or area, not a launch site or an operator. Base map: Natural Earth. Pins: Wikidata / OpenStreetMap points, checked against OpenStreetMap; tap one to open its page.

Rules & safety

Only what the authorities' own texts say — each point links its source, read on 1 Oct 2026. Our wording is a summary; the linked text is what counts.

Rafting is governed by the Turkish Canoe Federation; the Turkish Rafting Federation was closed on 23 August 2022 and the sport moved to the Canoe Federation.Source: Turkish Canoe Federation — rafting
The federation lists a life jacket, helmet, wetsuit and suitable shoes as protective equipment that must be used.Source: Turkish Canoe Federation — rafting
Rivers are graded in six difficulty classes: class 1 is easy enough for all ages with safety equipment, class 6 can be deadly.Source: Turkish Canoe Federation — rafting
The federation publishes a list of rafting river guides with a valid visa for 2026.Source: Turkish Canoe Federation — rafting river guides, 2026 list
On the Köprüçay, rafting is possible for about eight months a year; parts of the course are only for professionals. The river runs through Köprülü Canyon National Park.Source: Antalya Culture and Tourism Directorate — rafting

How to choose an operator

Ask whether your guide is on the Canoe Federation's river-guide list.
Check you are given a helmet, life jacket and, in cold water, a wetsuit; tell the guide if you cannot swim.
Ask what insurance covers you and what happens if high water cancels the trip.

We do not list, rank or recommend businesses and we show no prices. If something goes wrong, keep your contract or receipt; in an emergency call 112.

Booking through a travel agency? Check its Ministry licence.

Places nearby

Antalya Artvin Mediterranean region Black Sea region

More adventure

Balloon flights Paragliding Diving ATV & jeep safari Horse riding Blue cruise Hiking Windsurf & kitesurf Skiing Viewpoints

Independent guide, not affiliated with any government body.