Frequently Asked Questions

May launches have a minimum age of 12yo.  June, July and August launches have a minimum age of 8yo.  Guests under 18yo must be accompanied by an adult.  There is no maximum age.  Give us a call to discuss the best river section and dates for your children and group. 

Yes, we outfit trips for individuals, families, groups of friends and organizations.

The Yampa River is an undammed, free flowing river and flows depend on winter snowpack, spring weather, etc. Check with our office for annual predictions.  The Green River Gates of Lodore section is a dam-released river, with regular scheduled water releases from Flaming Gorge Reservoir.  Despite some predictable factors, each trip is unique and offers you an unmatched remote wilderness experience.

May trips have the most unpredictable weather in the river canyons of Dinosaur National Monument. We outfit our guests with drytops and wetsuits on our May trips due to this.  While each trip is accompanied by the possibility of any weather condition, June, July and August are the months you will likely find yourself floating the beautiful canyons under sunny blue sky.

On the rafts, we advise wearing material that dries quickly.  Our guides generally wear lightweight nylon shorts/pants and synthetic long sleeved shirts with a collar/hoodie for sun protection.  We recommend a hat or visor, sunglasses, sandals with heel straps (or close-toed water shoes), and warm layered clothing for camp.

We provide potable water throughout the trip.  We start each trip with water from municipal water systems, and use this throughout the trip for drinking and cooking.  We plan our water supply to last the entirety of our trip based on the number of people on the trip, but do have the ability to refill our water on the third or fourth day of every river trip, depending on the trip plan and trip needs.

We get excited about a lot of the trip components especially our colorful and nutritious meals-- we prepare robust meals using fresh meats, fruits and vegetables.   If you have food preferences or dietary needs, let us know in advance.  We'll do our best to provide the foods you prefer or you may bring them, and we'll provide storage.

In addition to other trip beverages, we bring a supply of seltzer water, soda and fruit juice. We provide about three canned beverages/day/person.  These are not intended to be the only drinks available on the trip, so talk to your guide about what to drink throughout the day!  If you want to bring drinks, especially if you prefer particular brands or drinks, we encourage you to bring them-- we have space to store the beverages you bring.  

Yep. We often have musical instruments on the river. Bring a good protective case, and let us know in advance if you are bringing any instrument larger than a ukele, and we'll plan a spot for your instrument to have a ride.

Yes, but there is no cell phone reception during river trips, essentially from the launch sites onward during the trip through Dinosaur National Monument's canyons.   You are free to bring a satellite phone or Starlink with you to stay connected to your work or other obligations while on the trip.   Your rafting guides through the monument carry a satellite phone and Starlink for emergencies, that are used at the discretion of the guide crew.

Just let us know at the time of booking and we'll put you on a trip with available solar powered battery.  Some of our trips require more or less battery-powered equipment. 

Yes.  Call our office to explain what you need.  We often keep medication in the raft ice chests during the trips, or in respective compartments of our dryboxes.

First Aid is available at all times during the river trips.  If an illness or injury arises that requires treatment beyond First Aid, the guides will make a decision about evacuation.  Evacuation costs are born by the person being evacuated, which is a reason to consider purchasing Trip Insurance inclusive of this coverage.  Cost of specialized means of evacuation, such as helicopters, or bush planes, etc. are the financial responsibility of the ill or injured person. While we have never needed to evacuate a guest, we plan for the possibility on every trip and encourage you to do so as well.

Although each trip is accompanied by a risk management plan and every effort is made to assure a safe trip, every river trip has some risks.  Every trip has a guide with first responder training, whether this is WFR (Wilderness First Responder), Advanced WFR,  EMT (Emergency  Medical Technician), or Wilderness EMT.  While we have never needed to do so on the river, we are equipped to provide advanced airways as well as the management of those advanced airways through the time of evacuation for the majority of our launches.  In case of illness or accidents requiring treatment beyond the training or equipment available, your guide will attempt to arrange evacuation.

No, we do not provide Trip Insurance but encourage our guests to purchase trip insurance which covers personal property, personal injury, and cancellation.  Many insurance companies offer such policies.  

We also encourage guests to purchase LifeFlight insurance. LifeFlight provides remote helicopter services to assist with wilderness and backcountry evacuations.  While it is rare that this service is needed, in certain cases it may be the only option for connecting you to advanced care for illness or injury.  In particular, we strongly advise any trip participant on blood thinners beyond aspirin 81mg daily, to have Life Flight insurance.  When coordinating your booking, we will relate further information to you on this resource.

Broadly, no. Each guest will complete a medical form as a component of the trip registration process. This may spark a conversation about risks specific to you. 

A hand wash system is available whenever we are in camp and at lunch.  The guides do the dishes and cleanup after meals.  To keep the river environment as clean as possible, solid human waste is collected and transported out of the river canons in specially designed toilets.  These are no-flush toilets, but our toilets are stainless steel made by Partner Steele in Pocatello, Idaho, and are the best camp toilets available.

Yes. Everyone on commercial rafting trips wears a coast guard approved 'life vest' or PFD (personal flotation device).  Many non-swimmers go on rafting trips, and they have a great time.  Your guides will give you an in-depth and engaging safety talk before your trip, explaining what you should prepare for and do in the event you fall out of the raft.  When you book your trip, we'll place you on a trip that suits you and your parties abilities and concerns.  Guides are trained in whitewater rescue and will work to ensure that you feel comfortable with the whitewater conditions on your trip.