Rating
Beginner
Minimum Age
years
Price
Adult: $310
Kids (6-12): $210
Pre May1st Price
Adult: $280
Kids (6-12): $210
Deposit: $100/person
Trip Itinerary
- Day 1: Meet your guide staff at the designated put-in in Fruita, CO, just west of Grand Junction and enjoy a continental breakfast before packing your dry bags and loading the gear in the canoes (or in the raft on the sea kayaking trips).
- Run a car shuttle to the Westwater Ranger Station take-out then return to put-in for the safety talk and paddling instructions before launching. An optional $10/person shuttle service is available for the group, which eliminates the need to drive cars to Westwater. Shortly after launching, you will begin paddling past the towering red sandstone walls of Horsethief Canyon.
- Paddle downriver until approximately noon and enjoy lunch on the river’s edge maybe catching a glimpse of an eagle or a desert sheep.
- After lunch, continue paddling and having water fights until roughly 3 p.m. and make camp near the ancient walls of Mee Canyon (depending on campsite availability).
- Late afternoon on the first day is devoted to setting up your tent and possibly taking a short hike, relaxing, playing, or floating in the river.
- Happy Hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and shrimp, cheese, crackers and wine are served.
- Dinner is served around 7 p.m. followed by campfire activities that may include games, singing, western tall tales, or guitar playing.
- Day 2: The middle day will often be a layover day devoted to hiking the canyons, playing in the river, and/or relaxing in camp. Many times lunches will be packed for the hike where you can explore multi-million year old canyons. However, your guides may choose to move downriver on the second day. Factors that influence this decision are weather, pace of the group, campsite availability, etc.
- Day 3: You will break down camp after a hearty breakfast and paddle through the majestic Ruby Canyon and Black Rocks known to have 2 billion year old rock formations and a small rapid (Class I).
- You typically reach the Westwater Ranger Station takeout between 2-4 p.m. after lunch on the last day of the trip, allowing time to return home.
