The Mild to Wild Black Friday Shopping Guide
By Kim Cassels • November 20, 2022
The Mild to Wild Black Friday Shopping Guide
It’s just about that wonderful time of year again for us to put in, push off, and row like maniacs through 4 righteous days of Black Friday rafting deals!! This year, we’re rinsing 20% off the majority of our trips from Black Friday to Cyber Monday. Ya-to-the-hoo-hoo-HOO!!!
So to all the whitewater fanatics and wilderness fiends out there, ready your paddles and steady your chums, because this is our one and only sale of the season!
Whether you’ve already had your sights set on one particular river with the perfect launch date to match, or you’re just stumbling across this site for the first time, check out all the details below in our Black Friday shopping guide to help you jump in the right boat this weekend.
Discount Code: Turkey22
Shop Black Friday Deals
Big Ticket Trips
Cataract Canyon
Utah’s most sought after rafting trip for it’s incredible whitewater and red rock canyon.
Gates of Lodore Women’s Wilderness Retreat
A super exclusive 5 Day trip this September!
Yampa River Adult’s Only Trip
The trip just about everybody wants to be on— kickin’ it with the big kids.
Desolation Canyon
One of the most beloved western river trips in the United States.
Under the Radar Trips
Piedra River
An elusive Class IV River that most people, even Coloradoans, have never heard of.
San Miguel
Telluride’s coolest, and probably last hidden gem.
Castle Valley Overnight
Hands down, the best catered camping experience in Moab.
HIGH ADVENTURE TRIPS
Cataract Canyon
💰 Save up to $339
📍Canyonlands National Park, Utah
👤 Ages 10+
🌊 Rapids Class III-V
🗓 Most Popular Dates – Memorial Day Weekend, First week of June
🤸🏽♂️ Who is Cataract Canyon for? – Whitewater fiends, red rock oglers, and the absolute adventure crazed
Cataract Canyon is the most popular whitewater rafting trip in Utah due to its jaw dropping scenery and world class rapids. To catch its rapids at their biggest and baddest, late May through early June is the time to embark.
Shop Cataract Canyon Trips
Salt River
📍 Salt River Canyon, Central Arizona
💰 Save up $231
👤 Ages 8+
🗓 Most Popular Dates – Late March – Early April
🤸🏽♂️ Who is the Salt River for? – Rapid connoisseurs, antsy desert dwellers, and the Salt River cult following, naturally.
The Salt River is a little known whitewater wonder that many people have never heard of. This is because the Salt only has a rafting season when the White Mountains have gotten a fair share of snowfall. When it does flow however, it boasts the earliest rafting season in the country with constant Class III-IV rapids to oblige.
Shop Salt River Trips
Piedra River
📍Pagosa Springs, Colorado
💰 Save up to $41
👤 Ages 14+
🗓 Most Popular Dates – Memorial Day Weekend
🤸🏽♂️ Who is the Piedra River for? – Off the beaten path seekers, pool drop enthusiasts, wilderness hipsters
The Piedra is one of the most elusive rivers in Colorado, both for its remote geography and its very short rafting season. In its sacred slice of wilderness near Pagosa Springs, rafters can look forward to gorgeous pool drop rapids, looming box canyons, and dense alpine scenery. Be ready for a technical ride with a few Class IV beauties along the way.
Shop Piedra River TripsINTERMEDIATE TRIPS
Gates of Lodore
📍 Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado/Utah
💰 Save up to $239
👤 Ages 8+
🗓 Most Popular Dates: All of ‘em until August
🤸🏽♂️ Who is the Gates of Lodore for? History lovers, scenery addicts, Mark Twain characters
The Gates of Lodore is undeniably one of the most sought after river trips in the country. This may be on account of its idyllic combination of big canyon scenery, exciting Class III rapids, and charming side hikes. This is usually the trip that books up before its season even starts.
Shop Gates of Lodore Trips
Yampa River
📍 Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado/Utah
💰 Save up to $279
👤 Ages 10+
🗓 Most Popular Dates: First weeks of June
🤸🏽♂️ Who is the Yampa River for? River nerds, Mother Nature’s biggest fans
As the last free flowing river in the Colorado River Basin, the Yampa River is the most special multi day rafting trips in the United States. Its canyon is lined with slick sandstone walls, massive alcoves, wildflower meadows, and thrilling Class III-IV rapids. The Yampa’s season is very brief, usually trickling off by July.
Shop Yampa River Trips
San Miguel River
📍 Telluride, Colorado
💰 Save up to $145
👤 Ages 10+
🗓 Most Popular Dates: Memorial Day Weekend – early June
🤸🏽♂️ Who is San Miguel for? Paddle hungry vagabonds, Telluride rendezvousers, people who would prefer to be otters.
For anyone that finds themselves near Telluride Colorado in the spring, the San Miguel river is an absolute must. This river is a favorite among raft guides due to its fast moving current contained in a beautiful narrow canyon. Be ready for lots of Class II splashes and plenty of paddling past obstacles.
Shop San Miguel TripsMILD TRIPS
Castle Valley
📍 Moab, Utah
💰 Save up to $131
👤 Ages 4+
🗓 Most Popular Dates: Memorial Day Weekend, 4th of July, Labor Day Weekend
🤸🏽♂️ Who is Castle Valley for? Landscape junkies, Moab chillers, float fanatics
Castle Valley is pretty much an obligatory visit while you’re in Moab, and the best way to revel in its scenery is via the Colorado River. This is a very calm, very chill float trip that offers insane views and a couple Class II splashes along the way.
Shop Castle Valley Trips
Lower Animas River
📍 Durango, Colorado
💰 Save up to $29
👤 Ages 4+
🗓 Most Popular Dates: Memorial Day Weekend, 4th of July, Labor Day Weekend
🤸🏽♂️ Who is the Lower Animas for? Durango frolickers, day trippers, general good-time havers
Thoroughly beloved by both visitors and the locals, rafting the Animas River is by far one of the funnest things to do in Durango, Colorado. It’s got a little bit of everything for everyone, with relaxing sections interspersed between Class II-III rapids.
Shop Lower Animas Trips
Desolation Canyon
📍 Largest Wilderness Study Area, Utah
💰 Save up to $309
👤 Ages 5+
🗓 Most Popular Dates: Most of the ones from June through July
🤸🏽♂️ Who is Desolation Canyon for? Big canyon seekers, rapid chortlers, history zealots
Desolation Canyon is a river trip that’s all about experiencing it all. In the middle of big canyon country, the journey begins with a scenic flight to the put in. Along the way are multiple Class II-III rapid sections, opportunities to explore historic sites, hike, fish, sunbathe, you name it!
Shop Desolation Canyon TripsLand Tours
Moab Jeep Tour
📍 Moab’s surrounding canyons
💰 Save up to $27
👤 Ages 5+
🗓 Best Times: All year. We’re privy to late summer for all the waterfalls.
🤸🏽♂️ Who is a Moab Jeep Tour for? Anybody and everybody who likes a scenic offroading excursion.
Moab’s surrounding canyons offer amazing opportunities to explore the sites, history and hidden gems of this rare desert. And after all, iif you’re not doing some off roading while in Moab, what exactly are you doing?
Shop Moab Jeep Tours
La Plata Canyon Jeep Tour
📍 Durango’s nearby La Plata Mountains
💰 Save up to $19
👤 Ages 4+
🗓 Best times: Summer and Fall
🤸🏽♂️ Who is a Durango Jeep tour for? Wildflower frolickers, aspen admirers, marmot fans
While La Plata Canyon is only 15 minutes from Durango, it is undeniably wild. The glacially sculpted canyon is filled with wildlife, vibrant wildflowers, glittering aspens, and downright inspiring views.
Shop La Plata Jeep Tours
Silverton Jeep Tour
📍 San Juan Mountains
💰 Save up to $27
👤 Ages 5+
🗓 Best times: Summer and Fall
🤸🏽♂️ Who is a Silverton Jeep tour for? Alpine landscape connoisseurs, Victorian era gluttons, moose seekers
The gargantuan mountains looming over Silverton are some of the most spectacular in the world. These tours supply the ultimate combination of jaw dropping scenery, fascinating history, and memorable adventure.
Shop Silverton Jeep Tours
Mesa Verde Tour
📍 Mesa Verde National Park
💰 Save up to $39
👤 Ages 5+
🗓 Best times: Spring to Fall
🤸🏽♂️ Who is Mesa Verde for? History buffs, Indigenous culture and Southwest fanciers
Mesa Verde is one-of-a-kind when it comes to National Parks and simultaneously archaeological preservation. Joining a guided tour ensures you’ll get the most of your visit to this spectacular and mysterious exhibition of America’s original peoples’.
Shop Mesa Verde ToursWays to Book Your Trip
Book Online
Use code Turkey22 at checkout to get 20% off.
If you have any questions while you’re booking, feel free to LiveChat us! There’s a real person on the other end of our chats, as we like to keep things personal and efficient around here.
For pre-made payment plans, you have the option to put 1/2 or 1/3 down at the time of reserving. If you’d like us to set up a more personalized plan like monthly or installments, give us a call and we’ll be happy to set that up for you!
Call Us
We will be happy to take your reservation over the phone— just keep in mind we may have longer hold times, and may need to call you back. If you’re concerned about your dates booking up, you can LiveChat us on this site and we’ll hold the trip for you.
For payment, we have plenty of flexible plans that we can personalize for each reservation. Traditionally, most people tend to put 1/3 down on larger trips (multi-days), but we are more than happy to set up a plan that works for you.
LiveChat
Want us to reserve for you but keep it casual? No problem! We can book it for you right from LiveChat. There’s a real person on the other end of our chats, as we like to keep things personal and efficient around here.
For payment, we have plenty of flexible plans that we can personalize for each reservation. Traditionally, most people tend to put 1/3 down on larger trips (multi-days), but we are more than happy to set up a plan that works for you.
Exclusions
- Promo code Turkey22 is only valid thru Friday 11/25/22 – Monday 11/28/22
- Offer cannot be applied with any other discounts (including Senior/Military pricing)
- Gift Cards cannot be used with other offers or discounts
- Offer cannot be redeemed with a Mild to Wild Gift Certificate
- Offer is not valid on any tours involving the Durango Train
- Offer is not valid on Durango Adventure Zip Line, Upper Animas, Previously Reserved Trips, Guide School, Private or Custom Trips
- All Reservations are held to our Reservation and Cancellation Policies
Shop Black Friday Deals
