Colorado River Rafting Vacations
 

Facts & Figures

Founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey, Western River Expeditions is the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon with 13,000 user-days. Now in its 44th year, Western River offers trips through the natural wonders of Utah, Idaho and Colorado for adventurers of all ages and levels.

Office Locations Western River Expeditions is a nationally recognized outfitter headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah with operations and offices in Moab, Utah and Fredonia, Arizona.

Annual Guests Western services approximately 17,000 people each year.

Expected Number of Trip Departures in 2005 - 3,060

Points of Departure -Western River currently has seven points of departure for its trips, depending on which adventure you choose. They include:

  • Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Moab, Utah
  • Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Marble Canyon, Arizona
  • Stanley, Idaho
  • Boise, Idaho
  • Grand Junction, Colorado

Waters to Raft - Western River provides professionally guided rafting trips on:

Vacation Variety Everything from day trips to week-long escapes, from everyday adventurer to first-time fun-seekers, from extreme thrills to tame chills, from roughing it in the elements to pampering at four-star resorts and spas.

Price Range and Duration Fully-equipped, multiple-day expeditions range from $450 - $1,995. Rafting day trips cost $53 for adults, $41 for children under 17 and seniors over 60. River trips are available for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days. Group rates are available on select trips.

Western’s Fleet of Vessels Western uses 4 different types of vessels to navigate the waters, including:

Western’s Guides Western’s staff includes over 60 licensed and professionally trained guides, all with their own stories and experiences to share. Each Western guide experiences nearly 300 hours of training before escorting his or her first guest down the river. This training includes swift water rescue certification, CPR and First Aid Certification, a state licensing test, food handler's education, on-river cooking courses, geology and interpretation classes, and Western's renowned custom guide-training program.

Western’s Special Hummers® Western’s professional guides operate custom Hummer® vehicles with raised seating in the rear for optimum passenger viewing. With 16 inches of ground clearance and an extremely low center of gravity, the Hummer® can navigate virtually any terrain imaginable.

Moab Adventure Center At Western's Moab Adventure Center, you can create your own experience with as many half to full-day activities as you wish, plus stay in a comfortable hotel each night. The center is your place for all the gear and souvenirs for your trip too.

Season Western River offers trips March through October on selected waterways.

Other activities In addition to the best rafting vacations in the West, Western River offers tours via Hummer, horseback, jet boat, 4x4, airplane and mountain bike.

Specialty Trips Western offers trips for everyone and every group, including:

Western’s Culinary Arts Western’s guides are not only trained in the outdoors and geography of the area, they are also talented campfire cooks. Expect anything but your normal camping food on trips with Western River. Look forward to plates of steaming flapjacks, fresh fruit and scrambled eggs every morning and tasty chicken and veggie wraps or perhaps chicken salad pitas as part of Western's mid-day buffet. Dinner every night is different including grilled chicken breasts, tender steaks, pasta, or fresh fish.

Reservations Western River Expedition’s helpful reservations specialists are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. MST at (801) 942-6669 or toll free at (800) 453-7450

Guest Comments » The Best Rafting Vacations in the West!

I enjoyed the breathtaking scenery and the pristine surroundings. I think Desolation Canyon is misnamed - it’s beautiful - but perhaps that name is good to keep too many people from "discovering" it. From the wonderful, eye-popping flight over the canyons, the wildlife sightings, the light on the canyon walls (especially early morning and late in the day), to the lovely campsites - it was hard to absorb so much natural beauty. The surroundings helped me to unsnarl my thoughts, relax into serenity, and remember what’s important in life. Susan - Washington DC