Frequently Asked Questions

  • What do I wear?

    • You will be getting wet so you’ll definitely want to wear clothes that can get wet. Fast drying nylon-type clothing like workout clothing or swimwear works well. Cotton is generally not recommended except in the heat of the summer when a cotton t-shirt can help keep you cool when wet. For footwear, you’ll want to wear wet shoes or sandals with a heel strap that will stay on your feet. Flip-flops are not recommended as they fall off your feet very easily. All rafters must wear shoes. A hat and sunscreen are always a good idea, especially on the full-day trip. A baseball cap can usually fit under your helmet on the half-day trip.

  • Is there an age requirement for rafting?

    • All participants on either of our trips must be at least 7 years of age and weigh at least 50 lbs.

  • Where do I go to meet the trip?

  • What about the weather?

    • We raft rain or shine. The weather at the river is often very different from the weather in Estes Park. Both the Colorado and Cache la Poudre Rivers are lower in elevation than Estes Park, and in turn usually 10-15 degrees warmer. We always say if it’s sunny now, go now! The weather is very unpredictable in Colorado and the forecast generally isn’t that accurate more than a day or two out, if that. For the Cache la Poudre River half-day trip, check the weather for Fort Collins, CO. For the Colorado River full-day trip, check the weather for Kremmling, CO.

  • I’ve never been rafting before. Is this for me?

    • Yes! We specialize in taking families and first timers. We take children as young as 7 years old on both of our trips, and the oldest rafter we’ve ever taken was 93 years old! Our professional guides and staff are there to help you feel comfortable and make sure you have a great time. Many of those who are the most nervous are the ones who can’t wait to come rafting with us again! There are inherent risks to any outdoor activity like rafting, but we have an incredible safety record and your safety is our top priority.

  • How do you pronounce “Cache la Poudre?”

    • We get this question all of the time! It’s pronounced the “cash-la-pooder” river. Yep. We know it’s a funny name. Locals just call it the Poudre River. Despite the funny name it’s an incredibly beautiful river and Colorado’s only designated “wild and scenic” river.

  • How far in advance should I book?

    • We recommend booking as far in advance as possible. We run at capacity for most of the summer and many trips will sell out well over a month in advance. July is the busiest month in Estes Park and we unfortunately have to turn many people away once our trips sell out. The US Forest Service strictly limits the amount of rafters we can take down the river per trip. Larger groups should consider booking more in advance to ensure we have space.

  • Is there a waiting list if trips are sold out?

    • Yes! We encourage you to sign up for our waiting list if a trip is sold out as there may be cancellations which will allow you to get on a “sold out” trip. You can sign up for our waiting list online from the booking page for the trip you’d like to go on, or call our office and we’ll add you to the waiting list.

  • What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

    • Trips can be canceled with a full-refund up to 7 days before the date of your trip. If you need to cancel within 7 days of your trip, please let us know as soon as possible and if we are able to re-sell your spots, we will refund your money minus a five dollar processing charge per participant. Groups of 10 or more require a minimum of 14 days or more for a full refund. No refunds applied if we are unable to re-sell your spots. Absolutely no refunds if you just don’t show up for your trip. We turn away others to hold your spots and guides, drivers, and meals are prearranged prior to your trip. These costs cannot be recouped. Thank you for your understanding .

  • Where can I find photos of my trip?

    • Photos are generally available by noon the following day after your trip. Photos can by found and purchased online through the photos page on our website. Photos of your trip are available months after you get home so there is no rush.

  • Can I bring food/beverages with me on the trip?

    • Yes. We recommend bringing snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for the ride to the river and back on either of our trips. Colorado is very dry so we definitely recommend bringing a bottle of water. On the half-day trip you can bring snacks and beverages for the bus ride to the river and back. We do not recommend bringing any food or beverages on the raft. On the full-day trip you may bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for the van ride to the river and back, and we also recommend bringing a water bottle with you on the raft as you’ll be on the water for 4-5 hours. You may refill your water bottle from our water jugs during lunch.

  • Can I drive my own vehicle to the river?

    • Yes. You are more than welcome to drive your own vehicle and meet us at the river. Most of our customers prefer to ride with us, but sometimes it may make more sense for you to meet us at the river instead. Please call our office if you would like to drive yourselves to the river so we can coordinate the trip accordingly.

  • Are there places to change clothes after the trip?

    • On the full-day Colorado River trip there are changing rooms at the take-out and we highly recommend bringing a change of clothes for your comfort for the drive home.

    • On the half-day Cache la Poudre River trip there are no changing rooms at the end of the trip. This area is managed by the US Forest Service and facilities are very rustic in Poudre River Canyon. We can usually allow girls on the bus, then guys on the bus after the trip if people would like to change. During the heat of the summer most people ride back to Estes Park in their wet clothes to keep cool.

  • Do you provide wetsuits?

    • We do provide wetsuit jackets. They are long sleeve, zip-up and available in our office for rental. Wetsuits are generally too warm after the middle of July, but are still available. Generally quick-dry clothing is sufficient during the warmer months for our trips. A rain jacket can be helpful on cooler days if so desired.

  • How long is the drive to the river?

    • The Cache la Poudre River Half-Day trip is generally about an 80 minute drive from Estes Park in normal traffic conditions.

    • The Colorado River Full-Day Trip is generally about a 2.5 hour scenic drive through Rocky Mountain National Park over Trail Ridge Road. This is a drive most people do when visiting Estes Park, and you get to knock it out on your way to the river!

  • Where can I find more information on activities in Estes Park?

  • Is it appropriate to tip our Guide or Driver?

    • Gratuity is never expected but always appreciated. If your driver or guide has made a difference in the quality of your adventure then feel free to offer a tip. Many of the drivers and guides use Venmo for the practicality of being on a river.