People who want to play outdoors! People who want to enjoy the outdoors without all the pre-planning, buying gear, figuring it out, and having to work at getting comfortable in nature. Our guests come from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, careers, ages and experiences. Ages vary from 5 years to 90 years old. Experience ranges from never camped before to grew up in the wilderness.

Here is a list of our suggested ages for the whitewater rafting trips that we offer.  All ages are suggestions, and can vary dependent upon water levels and other conditions.

Ages 5 and Up (Minimum 50 pounds)

- Fisher Towers Family Trip on the Colorado River

-Desolation Canyon Family Trip on the Green River

Ages 8 and Up

-Gates of Lodore on the Green River

Ages 10 and Up

-Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River

-Cataract Canyon on the Colorado River*Yampa River Trips

Ages 12 and Up

-High-Water Cataract Canyon Trips (Late May and Early June)

On the upper end of the age spectrum, as long as you are in good health and are relatively mobile, you should have a great time on any of our rafting trips. Please reference our Essential Eligibility Criteria page for more information.  Most of the hikes require moderate physical exertion, but all are optional.  If the water levels are significantly abnormal in any given year and we feel that your vacation could be adversely affected, we may contact you with other possible rafting options.

Our trips take place in wilderness environments where rivers, weather and wildlife can be unpredictable. Our primary goal is to minimize risk but there are inherent risks that cannot be entirely avoided without changing the nature of an outdoor adventure. Our trips involve physical exertion and exposure to the elements including cold water and the potential for heat, sun, wind, rain and snow. Each participant on an SGE trip must take an active role in their own safety. You will likely encounter wilderness conditions that you are unfamiliar with. You must pay attention and be aware of your surroundings. Even a non-life threatening injury/illness in a wilderness setting can become a major emergency and can alter the nature of the trip and potentially endanger the entire group. By joining one of our trips and signing the Assumption of Risk form, you are acknowledging all of the risks described in that document. Contact our reservations staff to assist you in picking a trip that fits your personal comfort level.

Our guides are one of our most valuable resources. They are passionate about rivers, canyons and sharing them with others. Our guides go through an in-depth training prior to ever taking our guests down the river. Many of our guides have current Wilderness First Responder training (WFR) or Emergency Medical Technician certifications (EMT) and, all carry at least Basic First Aid and CPR training. We highly encourage our guides to obtain Swiftwater Rescue Training and, all guides practice Swiftwater Rescue Techniques during training each year. In addition to formal training in whitewater navigation and risk management strategies, many of our guides have also obtained Food Handlers Training.

The probability of going for a swim varies depending on the trip that you choose and/or the vessel you choose. A person must be prepared that he/she may take a swim on any of our rivers (Whitewater or Flatwater). Those odds increase along with the river’s rating. Choosing to join a trip with class IV or V whitewater rating represents a choice and preparedness to take an “non-voluntary” swim. You will receive a detailed Whitewater Safety Talk prior to embarking on Whitewater Trips.