Everything you need for rafting day, in one place. Still have a question?
01.
Every trip starts at our shop in Salida. Arrive at the time listed on your booking. That's your check-in time, not your launch time, so there's no need to come early.
02.
You'll get a link when you book. Fill it out before you arrive and you'll be on the patio faster.
03.
We fit you with a wetsuit, splash jacket, helmet and life jacket.
04.
Grab a seat on the back patio while we load the gear. Your guide will call your group when the shuttle is ready to go.
05.
5 minutes for our backyard runs, 20–30 for Browns Canyon, 30–45 for The Numbers. Your guide gives the safety talk on the way.
A trained, certified river guide
Wetsuit and splash jacket (no rental fees)
Helmet and life jacket
Shuttle to and from the river
Lunch on full-day trips; a snack on ¾-day trips; all meals on overnights
Wear: quick-dry clothes like a sun shirt and board shorts. Lots of women find leggings comfier than swimsuit bottoms on the raft. No cotton. Early season, add a wool or synthetic layer under the wetsuit we give you.
Shoes: sandals with a heel strap, water shoes or old sneakers. No flip-flops.
Bring: sunscreen, a bottle of water, a strap (chums) for your sunglasses, and any medication you need, like an EpiPen or inhaler.
Phones: at your own risk, in a waterproof pouch ($13 at the counter). They make sense on the Town Run and Bighorn. Leave yours behind on Browns at high water, and on the Numbers and Pine Creek.
Leave behind: valuables (the river has expensive taste), plus a towel and dry clothes for after. Most people use their car as a locker, and we hold your keys in our lock box. We have a few changing rooms and lockers too.
The Arkansas is snowmelt, so every month is different.
Low and cold. The water is around 42 degrees, so the whole nine yards (wetsuits, splash jackets) is a must, and it's all included.
High water. Bigger, faster rapids. At peak flows Browns Canyon runs 12-foot waves, so we raise age limits. Some advanced trips pause when flows get too big and fast to run commercially.
Steady summer flows and warmer water. Great for families. This is our busiest stretch, so book early.
Lower, mellow water. Inflatable kayaks and Lower Browns are at their best.
We'll always tell you straight if water levels change your trip.
Trip
Minimum age
Salida Town Run (Beginner)
5 and up
Bighorn Sheep Canyon (Beginner/Intermediate)
5 and up
Browns Canyon (Intermediate)
7 and up, at least 50 lbs (higher at high water)
The Numbers and Pine Creek (Advanced)
14 and up for the Numbers, 16 and up for Pine Creek
River tubing
7 and up
Cancel 72 hours or more before your trip: full refund.
Cancel within 72 hours: no refund.
Rebook 72 hours or more out: free.
Rebook within 72 hours: pick a new date and time in the same calendar year, if space is available, for a $10 rebooking fee ($100 per person on overnights).
Weather and water: we run rain or shine. If we cancel for safety, you get a full refund or a free rebook. [confirm policy]
Go with the least experienced person in the group. Beginner trips are calm, Intermediate trips have real rapids, and Advanced trips are for experienced rafters. Still stuck? Call us. We want you on the trip you're supposed to be on.
July to mid-August is our busiest stretch, so book early. If a date is tight, call the shop and we'll tell you straight.
You don't need a big group to raft. Groups of 8 or more get group rates, and bigger groups can have their own departure.
Groups of 8 or more get group rates. Bigger groups can have their own departure.
It depends on the trip and the water level. The Salida Town Run and Bighorn Sheep Canyon take kids 5 and up. Browns Canyon takes 7 and up (at least 50 lbs). The Numbers and inflatable kayak trips are 14 and up, and Pine Creek is 16 and up. Limits can go up in high water. We'll tell you straight when you book.
A life jacket is included on every trip. Advanced trips are for experienced rafters. If you're not sure a trip is right for you, call the shop.
Yes. You're going to get wet, which is why a wetsuit and splash jacket are included.
5 minutes for our backyard runs, 20–30 for Browns Canyon, 30–45 for The Numbers. Your guide gives the safety talk on the way.
Lunch on full-day trips; a snack on ¾-day trips; all meals on overnights.
A swimsuit or quick-dry clothes, and shoes that strap on and can get wet. No cotton and no flip-flops. We'll give you a wetsuit, splash jacket, helmet and life jacket.
Bring yours at your own risk, or buy a waterproof pouch at the counter for $13.
Call the shop and we'll tell you straight.
We raft rain or shine. You're going to get wet anyway. We'll only cancel for lightning or unsafe conditions.
July to mid-August brings steady summer flows and warmer water, and it's great for families. Late August to September is lower and mellow. May is low and cold, around 42 degrees. June is high water.
High water means bigger, faster rapids. At peak flows Browns Canyon runs 12-foot waves, so we raise age limits. Some advanced trips pause when flows get too big and fast to run commercially.
Cancel 72 hours or more before your trip for a full refund. Inside 72 hours, there's no refund.
Rebook 72 hours or more out: free. Rebook within 72 hours: pick a new date and time in the same calendar year, if space is available, for a $10 rebooking fee ($100 per person on overnights).
We run rain or shine. If we cancel for safety, you get a full refund or a free rebook.