Rating
Beginner
Minimum Age
6 years
Price
Adult: $335
Kids (6-12): $270
Pre April 15th price
(if paid in full)
Adult: $310
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).
- Your guide staff will present the safety talk and paddling instructions before launching. 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 out of Horsethief Canyon through the majestic Ruby Canyon and Black Rocks area known to have 2 billion year old rock formations and a small, easy 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. A shuttle bus will take you, along with your gear, back to the put-in where you left your car. You can then start your return journey home.

