Dolores River Packing Lists

Pre-Trip Info
& Packing List

When to Meet

Option	Show Up	Depart	Return
Ponderosa Gorge 3-Day	8:00 am	9:00 am	4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Slick Rock Canyon 3-Day	8:00 am	9:00 am	4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Ponderosa & Slick Rock 6-Day	8:00 am	9:00 am	4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Gateway Canyon 10-Day	8:00 am	9:00 am	4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

What to Bring

What to Bring For the Day:

Swimming suit and/or shorts
Tennis shoes or secure sandals (no flip-flops, Crocs or Hey Dudes)
Sunglasses with securing strap
Waterproof sunscreen
Baseball hat or visor (can be worn under your helmet)
Fleece jacket or synthetic insulating layer
Waterproof camera
Cash for tipping your guide(s)
Water bottle

*Do not wear cotton on the river (no jeans or sweats)*

What to Bring For Camp:

Warm sleeping bag/ground pad and liner (available to rent)
Tent (available to rent)
Warm jacket
Rain jacket or poncho
Dry shoes for camp
Change of clothes and a small towel
Toiletries
Headlamp or flashlight
Plastic bag for wet clothes
Insect repellant
Favorite beverage (beer or soda) *no glass*
Favorite book or toy

What We Provide

Professional guides
Rafting and safety equipment
*Wetsuit, splash jacket, and booties (*MUST be reserved at least 48 hours in advance with our office staff)
Transportation back to your vehicle after the trip
Meals from lunch on the first day through lunch on the last day
Lemonade and water with meals and hot drinks in camp
Personal waterproof storage bags – 3.2 cubic ft.
All kitchen and group camping equipment
Portable chemical toilets

Available to Rent:

Rentals need to be arranged at least 48 hours prior to your trip:

Tent: $20/trip, Sleeps 2 people with gear
Sleeping bag with ground pad & liner: $20/set
Ground pad only: $10/trip

Where to Meet

440 South Broadway, Cortez, CO 81321

GPS: 37.343556, -108.596056

HELPFUL QA

Where is the closest lodging to our meeting point? All trips except the Slickrock 3-day meet in Cortez, CO at the Cozy Inn. There are hotels/motels, campgrounds, cabins, bed & breakfasts, and small resorts in the area. For complete area lodging information, we recommend you visit the Cortez Chamber of Commerce. The Slickrock 3-day meets in Naturita. You can check out the Nucla / Naturita Chamber of Commerce for lodging options.
Will I receive a safety orientation before my trip? Before boarding your raft, your guide will cover a detailed safety orientation with everyone. Colorado Rivers Outfitters Association (CROA) created a comprehensive video that covers the same information in your safety orientation. Feel free to check out this video before your rafting adventure begins.
Is it appropriate to tip my guide? Tipping is appropriate, particularly if you have received exceptional customer service. Our guides are high quality service workers. A tip of 10 – 20 % of the trip cost is customary. You will have the opportunity to tip your guide directly at the conclusion of your trip. If you had the time of your life, then the sky is the limit! We also appreciate your comments. We use your feedback to recognize extraordinary customer service and to discover areas where we can make improvements. Our goal is to exceed your expectations!
What happens if I arrive late for my trip? To provide our guests with the best possible customer service, we launch our trips on time. You must arrive for your trip 1 hour prior to your departure time in order to get through our check-in process and prepare for your trip. If you are late, you risk missing your trip and forfeiting your payment. Please plan your travel time allowing extra time for mountain driving and unexpected stops for road construction.
I cannot swim. Can I still go rafting? Many of our participants cannot swim. We provide U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices designed to float you face-up in whitewater. Personal flotation devices are required to be worn at all times.
Do I need to wear a helmet? Helmets are required and provided on all of our rafting trips.
Can I bring anything along with me on the raft? All we recommend bringing along is a water bottle, a baseball hat, sunglasses with a securing strap if you choose to wear them, and sunscreen. If you have any medical equipment or supplies that you need to bring along, your guide will have a small day bag that you can put those in. You will not have access to your overnight bags until you reach camp.
Should I bring a water bottle on my raft trip? We recommend you bring your own bottle for the day. You can refill at lunch and at camp. Water bottles can sit on the floor of the raft.
Will there be photos taken on my raft trip? Commercial photos are not available on the Dolores River.
I am worried about the altitude. Will I be ok to raft? You will be rafting at 6000 feet above sea level. Most people don’t have serious problems here, but shortness of breath and dehydration are possible. Come a day or two early to acclimatize yourself if you can. We recommend you drink plenty of water during your stay.

TRIP POLICIES

Bookings made more than 14 days in advance require a 50% deposit to confirm. 14 days prior to your trip, the balance will be automatically charged to the credit card provided. Bookings made within 14 days of the departure date require payment in full.
Half and Full Day Trip Cancellation Policy (NON-discounted reservations): If your group or any person in your group speaks with one of our representatives and cancels more than 48 hours before the trip’s check-in time, a refund will be provided minus a $15 per person cancellation fee. If cancellations are made within 48 hours, no refund will be provided for any reason.
Multi Day Trip Cancellation Policy (NON-discounted reservations): If your group or any person in your group speaks with one of our representatives and cancels more than 5 days before the trip’s check-in time, a refund will be provided minus a $50 per person cancellation fee. If cancellations are made within 5 days, no refund will be provided for any reason.
Cancellation Policy (DISCOUNTED reservations): If your reservation has a discount applied and you wish to cancel, you will not receive a refund.
Rescheduling Policy: Guests are able to reschedule Multi Day trips up to 5 days before their trip if necessary, and 48 hours before Half or Full Day trips. Trips can only be rescheduled one time. Once rescheduled, the trip becomes non-refundable.

Water Policy: Wilderness Aware reserves the right to modify or cancel your trip due to extremely high or low water conditions. We will give you as much notice as possible, if possible, of conditions that may affect your scheduled trip. If Wilderness Aware cancels your trip, a full refund will be provided. Please note that if a suitable section of the river is available for your group and you choose not to participate, no refund will be provided.
Late Arrival Policy: It is your responsibility to arrive for your trip on time – 1 hour prior to your scheduled departure time. We will not wait for late arrivals. Please take into account travel time, weather, road construction, etc.
Water Policy: Wilderness Aware reserves the right to move your group to a more appropriate section of river due to extreme high or low water conditions. We will give you as much notice as possible of conditions that may affect your scheduled trip. Note that if an alternate section of river is available to your group no refunds or credits are given.
Weather Policy: Wilderness Aware trips run rain or shine. We will not cancel or cut trips short due to rain and/or thunderstorm conditions (including lighting).
Drugs and Alcohol: Drugs or alcohol are not to be consumed before or during the trip. This includes recreational marijuana. No refund will be given to those drinking alcohol or using drugs prior to the trip.
Pregnancy: We do NOT allow guests that are pregnant to participate in rafting.

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Choose from a variety of Colorado rivers, day trips, and multi-day trips to find just the right option for you and your crew. Better hustle, because they’re booking up quick!

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Years In Business

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