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Three Great River Adventures

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3 BEST Rafting Trips in Utah/Colorado Northern Border

Northeastern Utah and the Colorado border are full of wonders to explore. As John Wesley Powell says, “We have an unknown distance yet to run, an unknown river to explore. What falls there are, we know not; what rocks beset the channel, we know not; what walls ride over the river, we know not. Ah, well! we may conjecture many things.” 

  1. Gates of Lodore (Green River Section)

Time Commitment is typically 3-4 days

As you enter the narrow and dark maroon walls at the Gates; 4 days of changing scenery and geology are about to blow your mind. You are submitting yourself into the canyon that John Wesley Powell and his crew ventured into without knowing what was ahead.  As you traverse the thrilling rapids with a skilled guide you will get to experience whitewater that is full of splashing water and a unique epic experience.  

Between all the fun whitewater and chilling on the raft observing big horn sheep and other animals in nature. You can pull over and tie off the boat.  Rippling Brook hike takes you to a small waterfall and then on the way back you can venture to the edge of a cliff where you can view the river looking upstream and downstream.  The view is spectacular and will be something you won’t forget. This isn’t the only opportunity for side excursions. Your guides will help you explore the many intricate beauties of Lodore Canyon and all she has to offer.   

  1. Yampa River (Designated Wild and Scenic)

Time Commitment is typically 4-5 days

As you leave the meanders of Deerlodge Park, the put-in for the Yampa River and enter the vast canyon of the wild and scenic chocolate river, you will find the magic and wonder of the place many guides call their summer office. The canyon walls will quickly bombard your mind with amazement. While every essence of your being is siphoned into the flow of the river moving forward in a constant swirling progression. The river will suck your soul in and the journey of how you fall in love with this sacred place has been set in motion. The desert daytime sun will be countered with coolish nights soaking in the cool breeze coming off the fresh runoff water from the Rocky Mountains. After day one you feel like maybe you know what to expect until you hit the long stretch of calm water and the Grand Overhang. Now it’s game on, where does all this slow moving water lead us…in no hurry at all? 

The water all funnels into this narrow opening at the top of a rapid and not just any rapid. But THE rapid, that was formed by a landslide in ’65 and changed this canyon forever, Warm Springs! The rush of water gushing and gurgling as it bellows over the rock we call Maytag makes our experienced stomachs start to churn. The excitement and adrenaline pulse through our bodies and we wave to those left at the rivers’ edge waiting their turn. Double checking all the gear and reminding all to hang on, we slowly enter the tongue and then we are off and before we know it, we are screaming, cheering and maybe even cursing but we are making our way digging our oars in with every ounce of strength we can muster.  Phew we made it and we throw our hands in the air and let out an elated, HELL YEAH!  

And that’s not all. Don’t leave out all the cool stops to the Ancient Indigenous Artwork and granaries from the Fremont Culture. Taking this exhilarating ride will provide you with great food, entertainment, culture and all the natural wonder you could want in a 4-5 day trip. 

The Gates of Lodore and the Yampa River are two escapes from the fast paced world that start and end near Vernal, UT and actually takes you through the heart of Dinosaur National Monument.  Now that’s a place many don’t get to see!  

  1. Green River A,B,C Section (Below Flaming Gorge Dam)

Time commitment is typically 1-3 days (or more if your heart desires)

These pieced out sections can be several one day trips or turned into a 2 night, 3 day excursion. This is hands down one of the most beautiful one day stretches around. Located below the Flaming Gorge dam, you put-in and can go. This is a great place to tackle some world class trout fishing and have some fun on a mellow low-key whitewater river. This scenic float along the Green River has some fun class 2 rapids perfect for an introduction to river rafting. Almost all ages can come and enjoy a day on the water. A picnic included can provide a chance to explore some of the small beaches and play in the cold water on a hot summer day. 

The world class fishing alone brings thousands of people to visit and explore this section of the Green River every summer. A Utah one day river rafting trip is a great way to get out and adventure with the family if you aren’t quite committed to the high adventure of a longer 4 or 5 day trip. There are takeout’s between each section making it easy to lengthen or shorten your trip based on your needs.

I encourage those seeking a great thrill to consider these three options. It could be a time to escape the chaos of the world noise and enter the magic of nature through the veins and arteries that give the earth life and may be a renewal to yours. 

-Kassie Robbins

Outdoor Recreation Classes Through Schools

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Why Schools Should Include Adventure Sports Activities In Their Curriculum

Sir John Lubbock once stated, “Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.” This statement is more true now than ever.  Today’s society has lost this form of education through time and often only relies on a curriculum based in a classroom setting. The lack of these learning adventures is limiting the growth and knowledge that is only experienced through experiences in nature. Many educators are unaware of the numerous benefits that can be attained  through adventure sports activities. Students often are unable to see how the classroom lessons of biology, chemistry and many other topics have to do with the real life outside world. There is no better way to understand a lesson or a topic than using a hands on experience. Outdoor adventures will not only be fun and exciting but will allow an excess of both worlds to come together. The classroom will forever be changed as soon as students are able to see the science come to life. 

Our local high school Uintah High, offers an incredible outdoor recreation program taught by Mr. Hoffart. Hoffart has designed a unique curriculum based on his experiences and time as a student at NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) as a student. Through these prior experiences Mr. Hoffart teaches his students a multitude of skills that will help them pursue their own outdoor adventure sports. Some of the students favorite subjects taught are backpacking, fishing, mountain biking and white water rafting. The white water rafting trip is sponsored by Vernal, Utah’s locally owned and operated Dinosaur River Expeditions. Dinosaur River takes the students and staff on their one day Green River rafting trip. Dinosaur’s philosophy is we need to foster and provide recreational options for the community’s youth, these students need to know and see what is in their backyard. Not only does the course teach specific skills but provides an introduction to preserving open space and leave no trace ethics while exploring the great outdoors. The outdoor recreation class at Uintah High School is only one example of the many opportunities that are available for youth to get outside classroom and learn new and valuable skills.  

Not only are there academic benefits to these adventures, but emotional and social benefits increase tremendously as well. Being able to connect with the outdoor world allows an abundance of stress to be taken away. Studies have shown that most students develop high levels of stress very early in life. With these high levels of stress there are minimal healthy outlets to help relieve themselves. Providing a class in an outdoor setting will teach the students a coping method that can be used not only during school but throughout their lives. The students emotional health increases as stress is taken away as well their self esteem grows throughout the process. Being able to attend these classes allows the student to learn new skills, become more confident in their own abilities, and increase their emotional health and wellbeing as well. The social aspect built upon in these adventures can become life long friendships. Throughout adventuring, there comes times when the answer is not as easy as 2+2 but takes problem solving. Trying new things and working together as a team with their peers starts to help their social abilities flourish. This learned attribute can be used in the workforce later in life as they start working with different coworkers, providing customer service, working through challenging situations that are experienced in the workplace.

One of the most important factors that these adventure sports activity classes will teach students is the importance of the environment. The lack of education on the environment is what causes the problems that the world faces today, such as waste, the lack of preservation, and minimal conservation. Teaching students the magnificence that the world has for them starts with taking care of the environment around them. The list of positives goes on and on for these classes to be added to a regular curriculum. The change needs to be made for future generations to understand the importance of our wild spaces and the need to protect and preserve open space.  

If your child’s school offers an outdoor recreation program take advantage of the incredible doors it will open through a classroom based in nature. If not take a look at programs in your area that may provide the skills to help your child grow in ways the classroom cannot provide. 

Conquering Your White Water Fears

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White Water River Rafting 

Brush Those Fears Away With a Few Great Tips

 

Preparing to go down the river for the very first time brings forth a range of emotions. Fear of the rapids, confusion of what to bring or wear, anxiety of a new experience, or just terrifying in general. Almost every person feels this way at the beginning, but their feelings quickly alter after being out on the water for just a day. What once was a fear becomes a craving for more of that thrill and excitement. Don’t let the fears behind white water rafting stop you from an amazing experience. Here are some tips and tricks to help wash those fears away.

  • Schedule that river trip!

Taking the chance to go out on that white water river trip is the first step. If you are hesitant about how you are going to go, don’t worry, no extra skills are needed for rafting. All you need to do is enjoy the ride. Day trips are a great start as well to get your feet a little wet. We have a spectacular one day Utah rafting trip on the Green River perfect for a first timer. Not so hesitant, check out our our phenomenal 4 and 5 day trips through Dinosaur National Monument. 

  • Just Breathe

Seeing a rapid coming your way could be quite the frightening view. Taking deep breaths and going to a “happy place” gets the nerves out quickly. Inhale the calming river vibes and exhaling the anxiety. After that first rapid gets you wet you will be ready and anticipating more.

  • Trust your guide.

Your river guide will do their best to navigate the swift river currents as safely as possible. These women and men are trained in both guiding, first aid and different swift water rescue procedures. The river can be unpredictable, your guides are ready for whatever the white water has to throw at them. You are in good hands.

  • Have some fun!

Have a water fight, make a joke, or sing a song. Getting into a good mood and having some fun will get your mind off of the negative thoughts. If you are planning on not getting wet, well that is inevitable, so get ready for some waves coming your way. Getting a little splashed only makes for a better ride and a lot more fun!

Conquering Your White Water Fears

  • Do some research.

The internet is full of great advice on all aspects of white water rafting. There are a lot of great blogs and websites that will help guide you in the right direction. Calling a rafting company and asking questions is also a great way to get good information. Try the locally owned outfitters first for the area you are thinking about trying out a river trip. They will have the best up to date first hand knowledge of the regions river and conditions. Dinosaur River Expeditions is Vernal, Utah’s only locally owned and operated rafting outfitter. Looking for a trip in this region we are the ones to call.

Getting several different perspectives helps ease some of the worries that are brought to new rafters. Feeling more prepared physically and mentally is a great way to make the fears go away. Before each trip a safety talk is also provided for the customers and crew. Listening and paying attention to that talk as well as any other instructions will keep you ready at all times. 

Conquer your white water rafting fears and go on that river rafting trip! The experience is beyond words and addicting. Once you get past those fears and negative thoughts, the beautiful canyon and river will become a sanctuary. It provides an outlet from the busy world and daily life stresses. Being disconnected from phones and electronics creates time to self reflect and grow closer to nature. Don’t let fear stop you from the experiences that white water rafting gives. It brings peace and happiness to all that come into contact go rafting and splash those fears away!

Top 5 Things To Do Flaming Gorge Recreation Area

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Top 5 Things to do when visiting Flaming Gorge

A beautiful place that is a must visit in the Uintah Basin is the one and only Flaming Gorge. This beautiful natural environment gives you so many different and unique opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. There are activities for every personality to enjoy, from the most outdoorsy person to the home body. Narrowing down all that the hardest part of visiting the Flaming Gorge Recreation Area. Here are the top rated adventures of Flaming Gorge.

  1. Boating on Flaming Gorge Reservoir

There are many boating sports activities that can be done on the reservoir. These activities include water skiing, paddle boarding, jet skiing, kayaking and many more. The lake itself is a great place for family gatherings or solo adventures.

  1. Visiting Red Canyon Lodge

Red Canyon Lodge is a very popular place for many tourists as well as the locals. It is a great place for a day away from the city or a camping trip. The lodge hosts many activities such as horseback riding, private lake for trout fishing and riding the rental paddle boats. There are also cabins for rent perfect for large or small groups. The Alpine Cabins are open to rent through the Spring and Fall seasons and the Ponderosa Cabins are available for rent any night of the year. 

  1. River Rafting

Another top pick for visiting Flaming Gorge is a one day guided rafting trip down the Green River. Dinosaur River Expeditions provides a single day scenic rafting trip perfect for people looking for a life changing experience. It is an astounding scenic trip with a few super fun class II rapids thrown in this trip is one of Utah’s top single day rafting tours. Dinosaur River also offers 2 or 3 day rafting trips in the Flaming Gorge area for groups of 6 or more. This section of the Green River also provides world renowned fly fishing for trout. There are several excellent fly fishing guide services in the area, it is highly recommended to hire a guide these trout can be tricky to catch. 

Flaming Gorge Green River rafting
Vernal, Utah One Day River Rafting Trip
  1. Flaming Gorge Dam Tour

Learning about the history of Flaming Gorge Dam is very simple thanks to the tour the visitor center provides. This tour is open daily from April 15 to October 15 and the cost is free. During this tour, a movie, a 3-D display, and a walk through are provided for free. The walking tour starts at the dam’s visitor center and takes you down through the internal workings of this massive concrete structure to the base of the dam where the Green River pours out of its inner plumbing. Many great views and excellent information are provided by the Flaming Gorge Dam Tour.

Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center

  1. Hiking

Countless hikes surround the area of Flaming Gorge. The trails all provide a different experience with the widely diverse trail routes and abundance of wildlife. There is a trail for every one of all levels of experience and age. Some of the more popular hikes are the Little Hole Trail, Moonshine Arch, and Bear Canyon. If you don’t want to hike, there are options for biking as well. In the wintertime, many people also use the trails for cross country skiing as well as snow shoeing. For information on hiking the Ashley National Forest can provide you with directions, maps and information to get you to the trail head. 

Flaming Gorge is an amazing place full of opportunities to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. It is a place for anyone and everyone to enjoy and discover through adventure. Either if it is through hiking, river rafting or any of the other activities, the visit to Flaming Gorge will be worth it.

5 Great Restaurants After Your Utah Rafting Trip

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So you just came off an excursion down one of Utah’s gorgeous rivers. You’ve had camp meals for the past several days. Or maybe just a deli lunch on a day float. Maybe even just a granola bar and some trail mix. Yes, you may have been exposed to sun, wind, possibly even rain I could imagine. You’ve packed and unpacked a boat numerous times, even if it was just this morning and just this evening. Anyway you cut it, you’ve likely worked up an appetite – and not an appetite to do more work. You’re returning to civilization, and while that may be hard it certainly comes with some perks. Perks like near limitless meal options, and someone else preparing the food for you to boot. The only hard part of this equation is where to eat?

 

Dinosaur Brewhaus

If you’re coming out of Dinosaur National Monument after a 4 or 5 day trip on the Green River Gates of Lodore or Yampa River, Vernal Utah boasts several great spots to sate your hunger. One simply shouldn’t leave Vernal without trying out the Dinosaur Brewhaus. It’s simple pub fair, but has a down-home and delicious taste, with complimentary peanuts while you wait, and a variety of Utah beers on hand. They’re used to their fare share of river runners, so come in whatever condition you leave the boat ramp in! 

 

Sabaku Sushi

Say you’re enjoying the day float in Moab, or coming off the monstrous waves of Cataract canyon, Moab is well equipped to meet your gastronomic desires. The unbeatable Sabaku Sushi serves up incredible options from our river running friend and amazing chef Alex Borichevsky. Not only does he know great river running he serves up delectable fresh sushi offerings. This is a Moab favorite.

 

Vernal Brewing Company

Maybe you just finished up a classic Utah 1 day Flaming Gorge Green River trip and are looking for a little more flare to your evening meal. For more variety and atmosphere, the Vernal Brewing Company is top notch. They boast a wide selection of entrees and of course have their locally brewed beer on tap. Try the Little Hole Lager or the local favorite the 50 Caliber IPA, and other craft and domestic beers as well. The brewing operation is a sight to behold, but if you’re hoping for a tour I’d recommend cleaning up a tad before asking about a table.

 

Ray’s Tavern

Coming off of a Desolation Canyon/Grays river trip, you end up in the small town of Green River Utah. Good bang for your buck is Ray’s Tavern, a quaint little eatery that’s got its roots in the river running community. Enjoy burgers and sandwiches all the while marveling at some amazing shots of whitewater from the sports’ long and storied history.

 

Taggart’s Grill

Paddling out of Park City will likely put you on the Weber River, a calm stretch of water that runs along train tracks and highway 84. Raft, kayak, or tube this river (pick up your trash!) and enjoy the Taggart’s Grill at the take out. Taggart’s Grill offers exquisitely crafted sandwiches, soups, and pizzas. They’re in house desserts – like their carrot cake – are out of this world, and their beer selection isn’t too bad to boot. Just remember, no shirt, no shoes, no service.

 

 

Protect your Skin: Shining Light on River Guide Wisdom

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Nothing can ruin your dream vacation like a bad sunburn.  Not to mention the long-term effects associated with that kind of skin damage.  If you are going on a river trip, then you will be exposed to the elements for anywhere from a day to a couple of weeks so you should plan accordingly.  Your river guides spend all summer being bombarded by solar radiation, so if you should need advice or an example of how to deal with the elements look no further. Having guided the rivers here in Dinosaur National Monument and the local Vernal, Utah area for many years I have gained some valuable insight into sun protection when out in the elements adventuring on these amazing white water rivers.

The iconic image of a river guide may be a bronzed scantily clad emissary of the sun, and it is true that with so much exposure to the sun you will inevitably brown and get some nice tan lines, but I for one am vigilant with applying and reapplying sunscreen.  I use stronger stuff, usually SPF 30 at least.  Look for the multi spectrum coverage, preferably non-greasy and water resistant.  Since its going on my precious skin I also try to go for natural ingredients and therefor end up spending a little more for what I want, but I’m worth it. Goodhouse Keeping put together a great list of the 11 best natural sunscreens for 2019 take a look at their top choices. Besides nice sunscreen I like to use lip balm with an SPF rating as well.  I keep it close and use it a lot. 

Your vestments are your most reliable protection from the sun.  This is your armor.  I like to wear long sleeves, with a collar I can pop up to keep the sun off my neck, and to look good.  This is a business casual ensemble however, with swim shorts and sandals being the lower half.  Just remember to lotion up the bare legs and feet.  Pants made from quick drying fabrics provide a nice break from the sun, when it’s not too hot.  I have also been known to wear leggings for the same purpose.  Fashion and function.  A sarong is another great clothing option for covering the legs and it can double as a beach blanket, light sheet or a warming layer when it cools down a little bit. Our friends at North West River supply have a great collection of river guide approved clothing for sun protection. 

For the love of your face, don’t forget to take a hat.  Maybe take two or three.  You don’t want to be without a hat, and it is a real bummer to lose your only one to the river.  I like to wear a big straw hat most of the time.  Its full wide brim protects more angles covering my face and neck. Tula Hats make some great wide brimmed sun hats in many styles, they are also tough I have worn my almost daily for several summer now. Besides my Huck Finn topper I also take a baseball cap or two.  You must remember that the sun is also hitting you from below as it reflects off the water, so I might also wear a buff or bandana around my neck pulled over my ears.  Another great tool to have in your box is to have a sun hoodie.  They provide great coverage, work well with ball caps, and they look and feel good. 

Now that our skin is covered let’s not forget to shade the all-important windows.  Sunglasses are crucial to your protected persona.  The list of benefits is long.  They make you look good, they cut down on glare making it easier to see the beautiful landscape that you find yourself in, they reduce eye fatigue and the chance of headaches and they decrease your risk for future vision and eye health issues.  Did I mention they make you look good?  The best part is that you don’t necessarily have to break the bank on nice shades as you can find good polarized lenses almost anywhere.  This is also good because sunglasses are another item that you may want to plan for redundancies, lest you lose or break your first pair. 

Now if you have taken this advice you should be doing well, but there are a couple of other tricks to give you an edge in minimizing your solar exposure.  Seek shade when possible.  Lounge under a tree or prepare lunch beneath an overhung cliff.  If space allows then bring a beach umbrella or a shade canopy.  You could always hide in your tent at a layover camp but in the summer, this could be a place of stifling heat.  Instead, carry in your kit a small sheet or piece of cloth that you can cover up with and wet when it is hot this is where that sarong comes in handy.   

Your skin is precious.  It does well to protect you from threats to your health and comfort, but it needs your help.  You must do your part to take care of it and it will continue to take care of you.  You’ll be able to enjoy your dream vacation down the river without the discomfort of a sun burn and you’ll be able to enjoy the peace of mind that your long-term health will see you through many more adventures down the river and around the sun.

We look forward to seeing you on the river.  

Utah Adventure’s

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Utah boasts the greatest snow on Earth, home to incredible national parks, amazing hiking, mountain biking and river rafting. For skiers the powder snow is light and airy, and the mountains have available terrain for skiers of all ability levels. Indeed, there’s good reason the winter games came to our humble little capital in 2002. Salt Lake City – or Small Lake City, as some call it – is within a 30 to 45 minute drive of eight mountain resorts, including Park City, Snowbasin which hosted the men and women’s downhill, and the famous (or infamous) Snowbird and Alta (skiers only). And it’s no secret. During the winter holidays rental shops and hotels are inundated with travelers from all over the county, even the world. But, in this writer’s opinion, they are missing some of the best Utah has to offer.

Something magical happens come March’s end. Slowly but surely the temperature begins to rise, and all that wonderful snow becomes something the desert West needs so desperately. Water. As spring progresses the snow recedes, a color change to give autumn a run for its money occurs. The foothills and mountains bloom into yellows, purples, and greens. In the lowlands incredible flowers start to bloom. The red Indian paintbrush makes an appearance alongside claret cup cactus and the state flower the brilliant white Sego lily making for a spectacular wildflower show. Starting in May before the heat takes hold, checkout Arches and Zion national parks. The smooth rock makes for easy hiking and incredibly mountain biking.

By June most of the mountain trails are dry. Grab a pair of hiking boots and a water bottle and you can easily enjoy the stunning vistas along the Wasatch. Around Salt Lake, there is easy access to any number of trails of differing difficulty. The Bonneville Shoreline trail – so named as it is the ancient shoreline of a great inland sea – is a mellow and planar trail that spans a great distance. As the summer heats up in July and August, head into the Uintas. Speckled with lakes and covered in pines, its a wonderful place to escape the heat. The lakes and creeks support trout, and the surrounding woodland are home to deer, elk, and moose.

The tried and true best way to beat the heat of summer is to grab a paddle and get wet. While your’e in the Uinta mountains, check out Dutch John, Utah and the Green River. Starting just below the Flaming Gorge dam is a gorgeous section of the Green River. This seven-mile section is perfect for the avid fisherman and those wanting to enjoy a scenic one day float trip. Those with a bigger adventure in mind should continue downstream to Lodore Canyon on the Green River through Dinosaur National Monument. Typically undertaken as a four day trip, this section is chock full of side hikes, beautiful sand beaches, and terrific whitewater. For a similar must do adventure, one should take the five day trip down Colorado’s Yampa River also flowing through Dinosaur National Monument. This beautiful sandstone canyon houses the last un-dammed tributary of the Colorado and Green river systems. Here you can see traces of the ancient peoples that once called this place home. There is abundant rock art, and sites that are still home to ancient granaries. As always there is stupendous white water. You’ll get wet, but you won’t get scared.

Whether you are looking for a quick weekend getaway for world class snow skiing or looking for a longer adventure Utah has something for everyone. Try a fully guided Colorado or Utah white water river rafting adventure today.

Vernal Utah Single Day River Rafting Adventure

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Visiting Vernal, Utah and looking for a family fun activity? We offer an excellent introduction to river rafting with our one day raft trip on the Green River starting from the base of the Flaming Gorge Dam. This river trip is an incredible 7 mile float trip with spectacular scenery, peaceful stretches of calm water interspersed with fun class 2 white water. Our experienced guide staff will meet you at our Vernal location at 8:30 a.m. the morning of your day rafting tour. The guide staff will orient you to what items you may want to bring for the day such as sunscreen, camera, water bottle, light jacket and provide you with a water proof day bag to secure your personal items while floating the river. We typically depart for the river by 9:00 a.m. the drive to the river is approximately 50 minutes. Once at the shore of the Green River the guides will set you up with life jackets, safety speech and provide directions about the rafts being used for the day.

Once you start the float trip the guides will provide you with interpretation about the region, pointing out geology, fauna, plant life and tell stories of the human history that has occured along the river. This corner of Utah has some unbelievable rock formations, the Uinta Mountain Group is the predominant geological formation along the river. This rock is approximately 700 to 800 millions year old. The river itself is one of the top cold water trout fisheries. There is an estimated 8,000 brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout per mile along this section of the Green River. With the crystal clear waters you can see the fish swimming beneath the rafts as you float past. A highlight for young kids. Mule deer, big horn sheep are another common site along the way. Along with a large variety of bird life.

River Rafting Green River
Single day river rafting Utah’s Green River

Rapids on this section of the Green River are rated at Class 2 on a scale of 1 to 6. Class 6 rapids being unrunnable and class 1 water being very calm and peaceful. The class 2 rapids are perfect for beginners, young children they are fun but not scary. A couple of our favorite rapids are Bridge Rapid, Mother In Law and Dripping Springs. Splashy, great waves and lots of fun for everyone.

A deli sandwich buffet lunch served with all of the fixings will be served up mid way on the trip. The lunch spread has a little of something for everyone. Fresh fruits and vegetables, variety of lunch meats and deli sliced cheeses. Treats such as licorice and cookies, lemonade and ice water. Lunch is always a hit after paddling 3 or 4 miles along the river. After a nice lunch stop you will load the rafts and finish the raft trip to the take out location Little Hole.

From here the drive is a little over an hour back to our Vernal, Utah location. This is a popular rafting trip and advanced reservations are recommended but not necessary. We are also a short drive from Park City, Utah which is two hours away and Steamboat Springs, Colorado two and half hours away. Booking a trip is easy you can reserve your day rafting trip on our website or call our office staff to secure your space the day.

Book your next Utah One Day River Rafting adventure today!

Vernal Utah One Day River Rafting Tour
Beautiful scenery along Flaming Gorge Green River

White Water Rafting Things To Consider Before Your Trip

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Whitewater Rafting Things to Consider Before You Go

Whitewater rafting in Utah and Colorado can be one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable summer activities; natural beauty, thrill, human connection and a quick way to cool off in the summer heat. But river rafting isn’t a carefully constructed Disneyland waterpark, rivers are subjects of nature. Here are some ways to help you prepare for the trip, whether it’s a Utah one-day river rafting trip on the Green River or a four to five-day raft trip through the heart of Dinosaur National Monument.

First things first. Always, always, always bring a rain coat. Yes, A rain coat. I know what you are thinking, my river trip is in the desert and I checked the forecast. No rain. Well trust me, river canyons tend to take on their own climate. The weather on the river can be vastly different from the nearest town or even 20 miles downstream. The storms in the desert also typically come in quickly and hard, sometimes for hours at time. I know its glamping, but you will still be outside for the duration of the storm so make sure you bring a raincoat that will keep you dry through the storm. Plus, we’re not backpacking, so you don’t have to carry your extra weight.  Just bring it. A good quality rain jacket is also a perfect layer for chilly mornings or evenings around the camp.

Along those lines, you will be outside for the whole time, so, if your trip is for a day or a week make sure you bring a good water bottle that can hook to the boat. Being on the water all day means you are getting double the sun, making it that much more important to stay hydrated.  Dehydration can lead to headaches, nausea, vomiting and general anger. Yep, drinking enough water will keep you happier making your vacation more enjoyable for everyone.

It’s nice to feel the vitamin D sink into your skin for a few hours at a time, but again, you are talking about exposure from sun up to sun down out on the river. Sunscreen and sun protection is very important. Nothing ruins a great vacation like a sunburn. Bring a high-quality sunscreen that you apply often throughout the day. Clothing is also great sun protection. A long-sleeved sun shirt, hat with a brim, sunglasses are all helpful for tackling the summer sun.

Now that you are protected from the elements, remember that people are operating these rafts.  There are no tracks to keep them in exactly the right place in the water, no seatbelts, and no airbags.  While being connected to the earth is part of the beauty of rafting, it also comes with an inherent risk. Don’t worry too much, your guides are trained in not only how to operate the raft, but in wilderness medicine and swift water rescue. The thing you should remember is that they are doing their absolute best and they are trained for an incident if it occurs. Pay close attention to the guides safety speech, listen to their directions and you will have a fabulous trip.

Lastly, remember there might be more to your trip than just the river. Many river trips have beautiful side canyons, archeology, and hiking to explore while you are not on the boats. This can be some of the most memorable experiences and often people leave saying it was their favorite part. Come prepared with good shoes, substantial water bottle, sun protection and be open to your trip evolving into the unexpected. The best trip of your life might not be what you were expecting. Be open to trying new things and connecting with the other passengers.

Now that you’ve got all the details! Let’s go boating!

White Water Rafting For Beginners

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White Water Rafting for Beginners

White water rafting can be intimidating, especially if your only perspective is from the adventure documentary Congo: The Grand Inga Project. You might be thinking to yourself.  “These people are insane! I don’t want to die in crocodile infested waters, with beaches unsafe for camping, where literally everyone dies!”  Well not to worry. Not all white-water trips are the red bull version of a whitewater adventure. There a few levels of starting your rafting adventures ranging from a scenic float trip on the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam to a four or five-day multi-day trip in Dinosaur National Monument on the Yampa River or Green River through the canyon Gates of Lodore.

The Scenic Float:

This trip is perfect for the beginners with young kids, people looking for a relaxing day out or someone unsure if white water rafting is for them. A scenic float typically involves a little bit of white water splashing in a beautiful place. They offer class I-II rapids, places for kids to swim in the water, a delicious lunch, and the option to use an inflatable kayak depending on the company you are booking through. It’s a great way to get a sense of what it’s like to float on a river raft trip. In Vernal, Utah Dinosaur River Expeditions is the only locally owned and operated outfitter we have a great day trip on the A-section of the Green River it is the ideal place for a scenic river float. It offers views of the beautiful Uinta mountains, a bit of geological and environmental history from your guides, and the potential to see a few bald eagles, great blue herons, mule deer and maybe a pronghorn antelope. This trip is a great activity if you are visiting the vernal area for a few days and want to spend a day on the water. https://dinosaurriverexpeditions.com/expedition/daily-trips-flaming-gorge-river-rafting/

The Mellow Multi Day:

Looking for more than a one day trip but you are still unsure about river trips with bigger rapids. We offer a great multi day option that can be just one night, or three, has class 2 and 3 rapids and will give you a great idea for what river camping is like, or glamping rather. A standard night on the river is going to include a campfire, a gourmet dinner complete with Dutch oven dessert, falling asleep to the sounds of the river, and a pancake or French-toast breakfast. This option is on the Utah section of the Green River from Flaming Gorge Dam to Brown’s Park. It’s a beautiful trip with class II rapids and lots of wildlife. The river tends to be much less populated on these lower sections of the river offering seclusion with your family and a chance to view Utah’s night sparkling sky. https://dinosaurriverexpeditions.com/expedition/green-river-flaming-gorge/

The Thrilling Four Day and Five Day:

If you tried the Splashy day trip and a mellow overnight and want to mash the two together, a thrilling four-day or five day trip is right up your ally. In Dinosaur National Monument, the Gates of Lodore on the Green River and the Yampa River are perfect multi day white water rafting adventures. They are classic white water adventures and will offer all the perks of a mellow overnight: great food, seclusion and wildlife with spicier rapids such as Warm Springs on the Yampa River or Hell’s Half Mile on the Green River through the Gates of Lodore. Your guides will know a lot about the area and be able to give you a fairly detailed history of the environment, and geology around you. If you already know you love camping and are a thrill seeker don’t be afraid to jump straight to either of these trips. They are  great trips for a first timer or experienced river rafter a like!

https://dinosaurriverexpeditions.com/expedition/green-river-gates-lodore/

The Congo:

After a four day Lodore you are ready for the Congo. Just kidding. This is not a river for beginners in any sense, unless you are beginning the late stages of a professional kayaking career.

Any of these style trips are a great place to start! A few tips: remember a water bottle, sunscreen and a rain jacket (YES A RAIN JACKET). Nothing ruins a trip fast than a sunburn and an angry dehydration headache. Listen to your guides and have fun! The river is a great place to let yourself have a little fun and embrace your inner child. Your amazing guides will make it as safe and fun of an experience as possible.

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