10 miles and 7 Class III rapids through a national monument. The most popular trip on the Arkansas.
Raft Guide School in Salida, Colorado
$449
Trip Type
Guide Training
Activity Level
Challenging
River Section
Multiple Sections
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Overview
Rookie Raft Guide Training runs for three weeks, May 17 to June 4, 2027, and costs $449. We take 8 to 10 trainees.
If you love the outdoors and want to learn river guiding from long-time industry professionals, this is your start. Training covers all state regulations and the minimum standards set by the AHRA and Colorado State Parks for certified river guides. SRA provides all the rafting equipment during training.
Trainees who complete training get the chance at a check-out run on multiple sections of the Arkansas, including the Salida Town Run and Browns Canyon National Monument. Guides who clear check-out are expected to invest in their own personal gear, and can be considered for a spot on our crew, with competitive wages, a supportive team and a workplace that's hard to beat.
Who it's for
Passionate outdoors people who want to learn to guide whitewater, no experience required.
Highlights
- 3 weeks, May 17 to June 4, 2027
- Covers AHRA and Colorado State Parks guide standards
- All rafting equipment provided during training
3 weeks
Duration
N/A
Rapids Class
Trip Highlights
What's Included
- CONTENT NEEDED: This is a list of what's included on this trip.
- Fill it in in the CMS (Highlights - Included).
- One short line per item.
What to Expect
- CONTENT NEEDED: This is a list of what guests can expect to see and do.
- Fill it in in the CMS (Highlights - What to Expect).
- One short line per item.
Your day, step by step
1Join the training crew
1
Join the training crew
Training runs for three weeks, May 17 to June 4, 2027, with 8 to 10 trainees. No experience required.
- $449 for the full three weeks
- SRA provides all rafting equipment during training
2Learn to guide the Arkansas
2
Learn to guide the Arkansas
Long-time industry professionals teach you to guide whitewater, covering all state regulations and the standards set by the AHRA and Colorado State Parks for certified river guides.
- State regulations and river safety
- AHRA and Colorado State Parks guide standards
3Check out and join the crew
3
Check out and join the crew
Trainees who finish get the chance at a check-out run on multiple sections of the Arkansas, including the Salida Town Run and Browns Canyon. Guides who clear check-out can be considered for a spot on our crew.
- Competitive wages and a supportive team
- Guides invest in their own personal gear after check-out
What's Included
Included
- CONTENT NEEDED: This is a list of everything included in the price.
- Fill it in in the CMS (Included).
- One short line per item.
Not Included
- CONTENT NEEDED: This is a list of things that are not included.
- Fill it in in the CMS (Not Included).
- One short line per item.
What to Bring
- CONTENT NEEDED: This is a list of what guests should bring.
- Fill it in in the CMS (What to Bring).
- One short line per item.
Water levels & Season
Season
🌊
May 17, 2027
– June 4, 2027
Departures
⛅
Starts May 17, 2027
CONTENT NEEDED: This is a note about water levels on this stretch and the best time of the season to go. Fill it in in the CMS (Water Levels and Season).
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