Important Considerations
Please take a look at the important considerations for your specific trip and let us know if you have any questions!
Considerations for all rivers: After peak snow melt when the water levels recede, all rapids can be downgraded a half to a full Class.
Durango's Animas River
- We recommend the AM departure mid-June to mid-August to avoid our frequent, brief afternoon showers.
- At high water levels (usually early June) our age limits may increase or younger kids may be shuttled around the larger Class III rapid.
- All itineraries are subject to change due to water conditions.
- Wetsuits are highly recommended through June and wetsuit boots are recommended all season. Rentals are available.
- While you are rafting, be sure to make accommodations for your four-legged friends. While the water temperatures are cold, the outside temperatures are very hot! Dogs cannot be kept in a vehicle while you raft.
- If you choose to tip your guide (which they greatly appreciate), we cannot run a tip on a credit card, so please bring cash or get your guide’s digital wallet information (which we also have posted in our office).
Extra Considerations for Inflatable Kayaks on Durango’s Animas River
- Wetsuits are required through June and highly recommended from July on.
- Participants must be 11 or older.
- Physical fitness is recommended and knowing how to swim is required. Remember you will be getting in and out of your boat and paddling your own craft.
San Miguel River
- There are not changing rooms at our meet location, please come wearing your swimsuit or quick dry clothing.
- If you are rafting in May or June, bring extra layers of fleece or polypropylene for warmth. Wool socks under the wetsuit boots also help keep you warmer.
- If you choose to tip your guide (which they greatly appreciate), we cannot run a tip on a credit card, so please bring cash or get their digital wallet information.
- All itineraries are subject to change due to water conditions.
- Due to limited put-ins and take-outs, all trip times can vary by half an hour.
- This is a great trip for those that like a scenic wilderness trip with road access. It works great for families and groups.
Extra Considerations for Overnight Trips on the San Miguel River
- Multi-day trips involve a lot of moving parts (and water!), which can sometimes make it difficult to provide meals at normal times. Meals are often later than you might normally have them at home due to the heat of the day, or good places to have them along the way. We invite you to bring snacks of your own along that you can keep in a fanny pack close to you for these instances (especially if you have hungry children!).
- Your personal overnight gear gear will be packed in dry bags, please use a backpack or small duffel bag for your dry clothes, shoes and toiletries. If you bring your own camping equipment (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent), those will also be packed in our dry bags. If you opt to use our rentals, we
will, of course, bring them along!
Piedra River
Upper Box of the Piedra River
- A thermal wetsuit is required – rentals are available.
- Wear your swimsuit under your clothes for the shuttle to the river. There are no actual changing rooms at our remote meeting location.
- When the Piedra River level drops low (it gets real bony & the drops become more dramatic with bigger consequences), we will switch participants to the San Miguel River for a more suitable/fun trip. This will be arranged prior to your trip if necessary.
- If you choose to tip your guide (which they greatly appreciate), we cannot run a tip on a credit card, so please bring cash or get their digital wallet information.
- Since there is only road access where we put-in and take-out, all participants must be in shape to hike up out of the canyon (uphill for 2 hours) if needed. This level of physical fitness is necessary to participate in this trip.
- All itineraries are subject to change due to water conditions.
Upper Animas River
- Orientation is at 4:45 pm the evening prior to your scheduled trip and is required. Orientation will include a practice raft trip and a swim through a Class II+ to III+ rapid, so come with a swimsuit and be prepared to get wet! Plan 2 to 3 hours for this orientation. If you need to schedule different time for the orientation (another evening or the morning prior) there is an additional charge.
- This trip is physically demanding. All participants must be in outstanding physical shape. When rafting, it is important to choose the trip that matches the level of the least adventurous and least physically fit person in your group. It is dangerous to ignore physical limitations.
- At Upper Animas orientation, if determined this is not right for you, for 1 day trips you may apply the trip cost to another available trip, less $250 per person for the nonrefundable train ticket & orientation. For overnight trips, the non-refundable amount is $300 per person. Train tickets may be able to be transferred depending on the train’s availability.
- As the season progresses and water levels change, we reserve the right to change the sections or rivers.
- The Upper Animas has high swim potential.
- If you choose to tip your guide (which they greatly appreciate), we cannot run a tip on a credit card, so please bring cash or get their digital wallet information.
- All itineraries are subject to change due to water conditions.
Extra Considerations for Overnight Trips on the Upper Animas River
- Your personal overnight gear will be packed in dry bags, please use a backpack or small duffel bag for your dry clothes, shoes and toiletries. If you bring your own camping equipment (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent), those will also be packed in our dry bags. If you opt to use our rentals, we will, of course, bring them along!
- Our rafting schedule is very dependent on the train schedule as all equipment needs to be taken off the train and loaded back onto the train before you leave.
- When water levels get lower, the itinerary for overnight trips may be altered. We will do our best to arrange these changes in advance.
Colorado River
Single Day Trips on the Colorado River
- The double kayaks are more challenging than the single kayaks because they are longer, weighed down more with 2 people and more difficult to maneuver with 2 people sometimes working against each other.
- If you choose to tip your guide (which they greatly appreciate), we cannot run a tip on a credit card, so please bring cash.
- All itineraries are subject to change due to water conditions.
- We do not provide snacks on this float trip, so bring some along in a small bag along with your water bottle.
Overnight Trips on the Colorado River
- Our guides will pick you up at your place of lodging the morning of your trip, please arrange this ahead of time.
- Bring a sheet to sleep under for warm summer trips. You usually will want a sleeping bag by time the early morning comes around, but nights can start out quite warm!
- On river time is about 3 to 4 hours, including time for lunch and hikes. This provides the right mix of river time and beach/camp time.
- If you reserved a raft trip, but want some experience in an inflatable kayak, as well, call our office and let us know! We can bring a couple along for everyone to try.
- Multi-day trips involve a lot of moving parts (and water!), which can sometimes make it difficult to provide meals at normal times. Meals are often later than you might normally have them at home due to the heat of the day, or good places to have them along the way. We invite you to bring snacks of your own along that you can keep in a fanny pack close to you for these instances (especially if you have hungry children!).
- Your personal overnight gear will be packed in dry bags, please use a backpack or small duffel bag for your dry clothes, shoes and toiletries. If you bring your own camping equipment (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent), those will also be packed in our dry bags. If you opt to use our rentals, we will, of course, bring them along!
- Our normal departure days for this trip are Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If these days do not work for you, call our office and we will try to schedule a trip that best fits your schedule!
- If you choose to tip your guide (which they greatly appreciate), we cannot run a tip on a credit card, so please bring cash. 20% is standard.
- All itineraries are subject to change due to water conditions.
Salt River
- The Salt River Canyon is a wilderness area. There is no electricity, running water or cellular phone service. Please keep in mind that these added challenges help make the Salt River Canyon the magical place it is.
- Wetsuits are included on all of our Salt River Trips. It is best to wear your swimsuit to the river under your clothes.
- We can only communicate from our main office via Satellite communication to the Salt River guides, which means our communication is limited. Plan accordingly when traveling to the river. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
- Age limits may increase at high water levels; this will be communicated to you prior to your trip if it becomes an issue.
- Bring a credit card if you’d like any goodies or souvenirs from our shop! Bring cash to tip your guide!
- The Salt River Canyon meeting place is about 50 miles from the nearest towns of Globe and Show Low, so be sure to have enough gas and water (snacks if desired, too).
- All itineraries are subject to change due to water conditions.
- All youth 12 and under and those timid will walk around some of the Class IV rapids.
- Expect the Salt River Canyon to be about 10 degrees cooler than Phoenix.
- If you have any dietary restrictions in your group, please let us know ahead of time for the 1-4 day trips so we can accommodate.
Extra Considerations for Overnight Salt River Trips
- Your personal overnight gear will be packed in dry bags, please use a backpack or small duffel bag for your dry clothes, shoes and toiletries. If you bring your own camping equipment (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent), those will also be packed in our dry bags. If you opt to use our rentals, we will, of course, bring them along!
- For 3 & 4 Day Trips: The shuttle from the take out back to the meet location where you left your car can take around 4 hours. Take advantage of our car shuttle service and we will drive your car to the take out for you – when you arrive at the take out, you can leave from there! Cost is $150 per vehicle
and you will need to fill out a shuttle contract. - All itineraries are subject to change due to water conditions.
Jeep Trail Tours
- You must bring your own car seats for children who require them on the jeep trail tour, Mild to Wild does not provide any. The Colorado Car Seat Law states children up to 8 years must be in an appropriate car seat/booster seat.
- The guides will have water, but it will not always be accessible during the trip, so bring your own water bottle along!
- Dress in layers, as it can be 5-10 degrees cooler in the high country.
- If you choose to tip your guide (which they greatly appreciate), we cannot run a tip on a credit card, so please bring cash.