Hey there, adventurers and gift-givers! It’s that time of year when the holidays come knocking, and we’re here with a bag of outdoor goodies that would make Mother Nature herself jealous. Whether you’re shopping for an adrenaline junkie, a nature enthusiast, or that person who thinks “camping” means three days of zen on a river, we’ve got you covered with outdoorsy gifts for every type of adventurer that won’t just sit and collect dust. Let’s break it down!
Unique Gifts For the Nature Lover
For the Bucket Lister: Multi-Day Rafting Trip
A multi-day rafting trip is truly the gift of nature. Imagine your loved one enjoying days floating through remote scenery, spotting wildlife, tackling rapids, hiking trails few people get to access, and relaxing on sandy beaches. From sunrise to starlit dark skies, they’ll experience the natural world in a way that few trips can truly offer: completely immersed and away from the noise of everyday life. Rafting lets us feel the rhythm of the river, spot wildlife up close, and have a chance to sleep under the stars! It’s the kind of gift that combines adventure and a retreat all in one.
Each of our multiday rafting trips offers something different:
- Cataract Canyon: Epic whitewater, huge red canyon walls, and starry beach camps in the heart of Canyonlands National Park.
- Desolation Canyon: Utah’s most remote canyon, with gentle rapids and plenty of wildlife.
- Gates of Lodore: Fun Class III-IV rapids, dramatic canyon walls and a rich history on the Green River.
- Yampa River: The last wild, undammed river in the Colorado River system. Permits are hard to come by, so a Yampa trip is a rare treat.
November & December are the most popular months to shop for a multi-day trip. Look out for our sales & promotions to get the best deals on multi-day trips.
For the Spring Adventurer: Salt River Rafting
For those of us who count down the days until warm weather, the Salt River is a lifeline in the doldrums of winter. While most of the country is still bundled up, Arizona’s best-kept whitewater secret kicks off the nation’s rafting season. Give your adventurer something to look forward to all winter long by gifting them a rafting trip in the beautiful Sonoran desert, filled with wildlife and continuous Class III-IV rapids.
- Salt River Daily Trip: Just hours from Phoenix or Flagstaff, this is a great pick for first-timers, families with teens, and friends who want an adrenaline filled spring weekend away in a gorgeous, warm desert.
- Salt River Multi-Day Trip: Two to five days of whitewater, catered meals, warm desert evenings and a sky full of stars. It’s the ultimate mix of thrill and comfort, and the perfect kickoff to their adventure season.
Hiking Guide to Their Favorite Spots
For the friend who lives on the trail, the perfect gift is a detailed hiking guide to their favorite region, or one they’ve always dreamed of exploring. You could create (or buy) a “treasure map” filled with top trails, secret scenic overlooks, and insider tips on where to spot wildlife or catch an incredible sunset! The hikes these guides include can range from a must-see hikes to lesser-known paths for those who love a quieter experience.
Binoculars
For the nature lover who wants to get a closer look at the world around them, a high-quality pair of lightweight binoculars is a game-changer. Whether they’re used to spot rare birds perched in a distant tree or simply soak in the panoramic views from a mountain peak, binoculars allow you to experience nature up close and personal!
Adventure Gifts For the Adrenaline Junkie
Cataract Canyon Rafting Trip
Give them the ultimate thrill on the mighty Colorado River! This trip is a mix of heart-pounding rapids and jaw-dropping canyon views. It’s the gift of wild, unforgettable memories (and photos to back it up). Whether they choose a 3-day adrenaline rush or a leisurely 6-day exploration, Cataract Canyon offers something for every adventurer. Longer trips provide ample opportunities for off-river excursions, where they can explore ancient ruins, petrified wood fields, and hidden side canyons. Check out all of our Cataract Canyon rafting trips and let your loved one experience the magic of the Colorado River firsthand!
Front Range Rafting - Arkansas & Clear Creek Rivers
For those hoping to raft the most classic Colorado whitewater, look no further than Clear Creek near Denver, or the Arkansas River near Buena Vista. Both rivers define Colorado rafting, and offer high adventure options for the people in your life who live for an adrenaline rush. Gift your loved ones thrilling Class III-IV rapids with stunning mountain views this year!
- Clear Creek Advanced/Intermediate trips: Delivering heart-pounding Class IV rapids, this 8 mile section of whitewater is a great addition to a trip to Denver. Ages 15+.
- Numbers (Arkansas River): Colorado’s most consistent Class IV whitewater stretch. This high-adventure trip is ideal for ages 15 and up seeking the next level of rafting excitement.
- Royal Gorge (Arkansas River): Located in a 1,250 ft deep granite canyon, this high adventure rafting trip boasts 15 rapids class III & IV rapids within a 6 mile span. Ages 15+.
Luckily, both rivers also offer milder trips – so family or friends who aren’t as into extreme sports can also enjoy a rafting trip!
- Clear Creek Classic: Featuring continuous Class II-III rapids, this stretch goes right through the heart of Idaho Springs. With fun whitewater, rich history, and convenient location, this section is perfect for families, experienced rafters, and first timers alike.
- Browns Canyon (Arkansas River): Framed by the stunning 14,000 foot Collegiate Peaks, this section is famous for its smooth granite corridors and splashy, family friendly waves.
Skydiving
Send them soaring to new heights, literally! There’s nothing like the rush of a free-fall over breathtaking landscapes. The perfect gift for anyone who wants to kiss solid ground goodbye, and say hello to a new thrilling hobby. Our guides highly recommend Skydive Moab – it’s the perfect way to see the stunning canyon country the region is known for. Moab is a well-known adventure hub, so your adventure-seeking loved one can easily seek out additional thrills – like whitewater rafting!
Go Pro or an adventure camera
Help them relive their wild moments with an adventure camera that can keep up! From whitewater to cliff dives, they’ll capture every thrill for endless replays. GoPro even has a handy Gift Guide to help you choose the best option for your adrenaline-loving friend!
Relaxing Gifts For the Wellness Warrior
Multiday Rafting Retreat
For those looking to immerse themselves in nature while rejuvenating and reconnecting with themselves, our Desolation Canyon and Yampa River trips are the perfect setting for self care and relaxation. With gentle rapids, sandy beaches and plenty of down time at camp, these trips are ideal for those looking to combine whitewater with wellness!
Solar Shower
A pop-up shower they can bring to the campsite! These compact showers are perfect for the wellness lover who wants to stay clean and relax in the heart of nature. The size & ease of use will make it an essential part of every future adventure.
Hot Springs Pass
Nothing says relaxation like soaking in nature’s own mineral spa. Finding a hot spring near you or planning a trip to visit one is the perfect gift for the relaxation lover in your life. They can enjoy a hot soak under the stars or falling snow – the ultimate post-adventure luxury. Our personal favorite spot to warm up (and cool down) is the Durango Hot Springs! Located just outside of town with 32 pools (and 2 cold plunges), this spot is a must-stop when visiting Durango at any time of year.
Immersive Gifts For the History Buff
Mesa Verde Tour
Gifting a visit to Mesa Verde National Park is like giving your loved one a ticket to the past. This extraordinary park offers a window into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who called these cliffs home over 700 years ago. With each step, they’ll be transported through centuries, walking in the footsteps of one of North America’s earliest cultures. For any history lover, a guided tour of Mesa Verde isn’t just a gift, it’s a memory that will resonate for years to come.
Silverton Jeep Tour & Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Train Package
Combining two classic trips, the Trails & Rails adventure package is ideal for those looking to experience the backcountry of the San Juan mountains and the history of the Durango-Silverton train. With views of the timeless scenery of the Colorado wilderness, your friend will feel a direct connection to the past – the train runs on the same steam-powered tracks that miners and settlers traveled over 140 years ago! The Jeep tour brings you deeper into the mining history of the surrounding area that the train brought to life. This is a great way to learn all about the history of southwestern Colorado!
Map of Historic Sites in Their Area
A perfect homemade gift for your history-loving friend is a map highlighting historic sites, hikes, and landmarks in their favorite region! It will fuel their exploration, and give them new places, events, and people to learn about. You can even mark specific places that connect to their interests, like ancient ruins, historic trading posts, or notable trails once used by Indigenous tribes or early settlers.
Arches National Park Tour
Beyond the Arches and fins that make this National Park so iconic lies a story shaped over hundreds of millions of years. As you explore famous sights like the Windows Section and Delicate Arch viewpoints, local guides bring the human history of the region to life with stops at sites like the Wolfe Ranch petroglyphs. Arches National Park tours combine human, geologic and natural history into one fantastic gift!
Outdoorsy Gifts For the Foodie
Fully Catered Camping on a Rafting Trip
Gift them a campfire meal without the hassle! Our multi-day rafting trips are fully catered – our guides are expert outdoor chefs and will amaze your foodie friend with what they can whip up in nature. This may just be our opinion, but good food always tastes better when enjoyed in nature with family and friends. All of our multi day rafting trips have delicious, filling menus – and now is the perfect time to start shopping for your ideal launch date!
Travel Spice Kit
Camping doesn’t mean you have to forgo comfort & flavor. If you’re looking to give a homemade gift, consider creating a simple spice kit specifically designed for camping, with compact containers for essentials like garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, and more. You can also find these online, but making one yourself means you can tailor the spices to the specific tastes of the receiver!
Dutch Oven
A versatile piece of gear for outdoor cooking enthusiasts, this cast-iron powerhouse isn’t just a piece of cookware; it’s the key to unlocking gourmet meals in the great outdoors. With a Dutch oven, you can go from basic burgers to stews, bread, cobblers, and even pizza – all while soaking in the scenery!
Campfire Cookbook
We all know that everything tastes better when it’s cooked over fresh, handmade flames. This is perfect for the cookin’ camper in your life, or the campers who may want to branch out beyond PopTarts and hotdogs. Pair it up with a cast iron dutch oven and that’s what we call “winner winner, chicken dinner.”
Adventure Packages for the Experience Collector
Have someone in your life who wants it all? Our packages bundle adventures of all types for extra savings. By gifting these, your loved one can experience rafting, Jeeping and National Park tours all in one trip! Mix and match any 2+ trips.
- Durango Adventure Packages: choose from rafting on the Lower Animas through town, exploring mountaintops on a La Plata Canyon Jeep tour, or diving into the region’s human history at Mesa Verde National Park. Even better, choose all three!
- Moab Adventure Packages: combine a gentle float through the iconic Castle Valley on the Colorado River with an exciting Moab Jeep tour into the backcountry, and consider adding on an Arches National Park tour!
Holiday Gift Ideas For Everyone
Adventure Gift Certificate
Let them pick their own outdoor escape! With a gift certificate, they can book a trip that’s calling to them – from heart-racing rapids and quiet riverside camps to thrilling rides through pristine alpine mountains! Call us at 970‑247‑4789 to buy a gift certificate.
Weather-Resistant Picnic Blanket
Cozy on one side, waterproof on the other! It’s perfect for all activities from picnics and beach days to mountain naps and cozying up by the campfire. Looking for the best option on the market? The Nemo Victory Blanket has a water-resistant bottom and can be used as an emergency tarp if needed.
Warm Socks
The secret to a happy adventurer? Cozy, durable socks that keep their feet warm and dry. They may seem simple, but they’re a game-changer when it comes to comfort on and off the trail. A Mild to Wild guide-tested favorite is Darn Tough – their socks keep our staff warm and comfy no matter where they work!
Give the Gift of Adventure
So, there you have it, folks! A treasure trove of outdoorsy gifts for every type of adventurer on your list, and delight even the pickiest outdoors person! From heart-pounding thrills to serene nature escapes, we’ve got you covered. Give the gift of unforgettable memories this holiday season!