Colorado River Rafting, Cataract Canyon

Frequently Asked Questions »

» Physical Requirements For Guests
» Payments, Confirmations and Cancellations
» Gratuities, Beverages, Luggage and Valuables
» Getting to Moab, UT

print release form  Print Your Acknowledgement of Risk Form (PDF)
print packing list  Print Your Cataract Canyon 4 Day Packing List (PDF)


Physical Requirements
Our primary concern is participant safety. The nature of an outdoor adventure involves some physical exertion and also possible exposure to weather conditions that can fluctuate greatly due to heat, sun, wind, or rain. Although we do have experience accommodating persons with a wide range of physical challenges, disabilities, or medical and health conditions, we have found that in some people the fact of age, weight, lack of conditioning, heart or other disease, can create additional hardship that diminishes the suitability or enjoyment of this type of vacation. Please consider these conditions in making your choice of river adventures. Please check with your physician prior to your trip if you have any medical or health condition or if you are taking any medications, and then notify us of how we can better help you with these conditions. In general, participants will need to meet the following physical requirements:

  • Fit into a Type 5 Life Jacket (maximum chest size is 52”) required by the National Park Service
  • Ability to securely grip handholds while running the rapids
  • Enough agility to climb on and off the rafts
  • Ability to navigate uneven terrain on hikes and in camp
  • Carry your own dry bag which will include your 20-pound duffle bag along with the sleeping bag and ground cover we provide

Our principle objective is for you and your fellow guests to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. If you are concerned about any of these requirements, please call our friendly staff to further discuss which trip is right for you. Our Acknowledgement of Risk Form will more fully describe some of the inherent risks involved in these activities. We look forward to having you join us on the adventure of a lifetime.

Payment and Cancellation Policies

A: Payment in full is due 90 days prior to trip departure and may be paid by check or credit card. With your prior approval, we can automatically charge the balance due to your credit card 90 days prior to trip departure (if full payment has not been received). We reserve the right to cancel your reservation if full payment is not collected by the due date.

If you must cancel any reservation, the information regarding the cancellation must be received in writing. The cancellation fee will follow the formula in the box in the chart below. Our cancellation policy applies in every instance and there will be no exceptions for any reason. Western River Expeditions will not issue any refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Western is not responsible for any expenses incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellations, or illness. If you are concerned about the possibility of having to cancel, we strongly suggest you purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect your vacation investment. Western River Expeditions assumes no financial responsibility for personal injury, emergency evacuation, or equipment lost or damaged in any way. You will find a link to cancellation insurance on our website at www.westernriver.com/insurance.

Cancellation Fees
Number of Days Prior to Departure Cancellation Fee Per Person
91+ Days
61 - 90 Days
0 - 60 Days 		$100 Fee
Deposit Amount
No Refund

Gratuities, Beverages, Luggage and Valuables

Gratuities » Your guides work very had to make sure your trip is enjoyable and successful, and tips recognizing their efforts are appreciated. The common practice is to hand the tip to the Trip Leader on the last night of the expedition. The Trip Leader will divides the total amount evenly among the crew. A suggested range is around 10 percent of the trip price.

Beverages » Water and lemonade are available in unlimited quantities on the boats and in camp. Coffee and hot chocolate are available every morning. Western does not provide beer, liquor, or soda pop. If you wish to bring your own alcoholic beverages and soda pop you may do so in moderate amounts. Please avoid glass containers. Plastic bottles and aluminum cans work well.

Valuables » You will want to have photo ID, a major credit card, and some cash for gratuities. All other valuables and jewelry should be left at home or in a safety deposit box at your hotel. In addition, as a safety precaution we suggest that you not wear rings on the river. Also, each year a few of our guests traveling on airlines arrive without luggage. With this in mind, we suggest you carry with you medications, prescription glasses, and anything you may not be able to replace the evening before your trip departs.

Extra Luggage » Transfer all your personal clothing and gear which you will need on your rafting trip to a small, lightweight duffle bag. Identify duffle bag with label, and leave any extra suitcases or luggage in your vehicle or at your hotel (many hotels offer complimentary luggage storage for Western River Expeditions’ guests). Please DO NOT BRING SUITCASES on your river trip. As part of your camping equipment package, we provide a water-resistant bag in which you will place your duffle bag as well as the sleeping bag that we provide.

Getting to Moab, Utah

You have multiple options to choose from with getting to Moab, Utah for your vacation. Daily flights and driving information can all be found on our Pre-Trip Information section of the Itinerary page.

This trip was definitely a highlight of our holiday! We met great people in our group and the guides were committed, enthusiastic and professional. The river was sometimes wild and sometimes gentle, sleeping under the stars a wonderful experience! Flying back to Moab with the small plane was the perfect end to a perfect rafting/camping experience!

Verena Taylor, Bend, OR