Yampa River FAQ - Mild To Wild Rafting

Travel Questions

WHAT AIRPORT IS BEST TO FLY INTO?

We recommend the Vernal Regional Airport as it’s the closest airport to our meet location at the Microtel in Vernal. The Salt Lake City airport is 3 hours away, and shuttle service is offered to Vernal via the Salt Lake Express.

WHERE DO WE LEAVE OUR CAR?

You will leave your vehicle at the Microtel as this is our meet and drop off location. We recommend lodging here the night before your trip!

IS THERE AN ORIENTATION?

Yes! Your guide will meet you in the breakfast area of the Microtel at 7:30 PM the evening prior to your trip. They’ll provide you with your own dry bag to pack up all your gear, as well as answer any questions you have. Our dry bags are usually 70 liters, about the size of a large trash bag. If you happen to miss your guide at this time, they will leave your dry bags at the front desk where you can ask for them.

Please be packed and ready to go at 7:30 AM the day of your trip! Your driver will arrive around this time, so be ready to load up for a scenic drive to the Deerlodge Park Campground put-in. There you’ll meet your guides, have a safety talk, and hit the river!

WHERE IS A SAFE PLACE TO LEAVE OUR VALUABLES WHILE WE’RE GONE?

The Microtel should make accommodations to hold any valuables you do not want to keep in your car.

HOW LONG IS THE SHUTTLE TO THE PUT-IN AND FROM THE TAKE-OUT?

The shuttle to the put-in at Deerlodge Park Campground is about 1.5 hours.

The shuttle back to the Microtel is 30 minutes from the take-out at Split Mountain Campground.

WHAT TIME DO WE GET TO THE TAKE-OUT?

We shoot to have you off the river between 4 and 5 PM.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE AN EMERGENCY AND MISS MY TRIP?

Mild to Wild is not responsible for any expenses incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellations, or illness. To protect your travel investment, we recommend you purchase separate travel insurance with RoamRight.

Equipment Questions

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Check out our Gear List and Packing Guides for what we already provide versus what you need to bring on our trips.

HOW DO WE KEEP OUR CLOTHES AND OTHER STUFF DRY?

We use dry bags! Which are designed to keep water out of the inner compartments with durable material and a roll-down seal. We provide one 70 liter dry bag and one 10 liter dry bag per person.

CAN WE BRING OUR OWN COOLER?

You are welcome to bring a soft cooler, or we can also make room for your beverages in our cooler. Please let us know how much space you think you will need so we can prepare.

Rafting Questions

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON?

Visit our page for Weather/Rapids on the Yampa River.

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND RAFTING EACH DAY?

We aim for around 4-5 hours on the water each day.

HOW MANY KAYAKS ARE BROUGHT ON THE TRIP?

We average 1 kayak for every 4 guests. If you think you will want to spend a lot of time in the kayaks, be sure to mention this on your registration form so we can increase that amount.

Can I kayak all the rapids?

Guests do not typically kayak the larger Class III and Class IV rapids. All sections for kayaking are up to the guides’ discretion for safety.

ARE THERE OTHER ACTIVITIES WE CAN DO DURING OUR ADVENTURE?

During high flows (usually in spring) when the river moves faster, you may have more time for hikes and camp festivities.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN A BOAT?

We usually use 16-foot oar boats that hold 5-6 people.

What happens if I have an emergency while I am on the river and need to get off?

If you need to be evacuated from the canyon, there is a minimum fee of $1000. We recommend purchasing travel insurance with Roamright.

Meals & Camping Questions

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes! Our standard options include gluten free, dairy free, vegan and vegetarian. Give us a call if you have other needs.

Can we bring our own food?

We will have plenty of food for meals and snacks, but if you have a favorite snack in particular, feel free to bring it along.

When are the meal times?

Our meals are on river time— besides breakfast which is usually served between 7:30 – 8:30 am — meaning that they will fluctuate depending on how the day’s itinerary is going. Check out our Yampa River Itinerary for more info.

Can we bring alcohol on the trip?

Yes, alcoholic beverages are welcome! Keep in mind that drinking can only be enjoyed at camp. We also don’t allow glass containers since we’ll be on inflatable boats!

How does the bathroom situation work?

You are welcome to pee to your heart’s content in the river, and number 2’s must be done in our portable toilet system that we set up in camp each day. More details on the “Groover” here.

Do you need a permit to fish?

Yep! Visitors fishing within Dinosaur National Monument must follow the fishing license requirements in accordance with the laws and regulations of the State, within the boundaries the park area is located.

This means you’ll need a CO & UT permit if you want to fish all the days of your trip. The first portion of the trip is in Colorado, and the second is in Utah.

Misc. Questions

What is the standard tip?

The average is around 20% of your trip’s total cost. Please bring cash to give your guide’s at the end of the trip, or get their Venmo/Digital Wallet information.

What happens after we book, and what additional communication will we get?

You will receive a text message confirming your reservation and a confirmation email to reference all your trip details. As we get closer to your adventure, you will receive emails with plenty of information to help you get prepared. Your trip leader will call you a day or so before the trip to check in with any questions you might have.

Yampa River

Frequently Asked Questions