What do we wear and bring for our whitewater rafting or float trip?
For Jackson Hole Scenic Float Trips, bring an extra layer. It’s always better to have too much than not enough. Wear comfortable soft-soled shoes. Cameras and binoculars are welcome and generally not at risk.
For Whitewater Rafting Trips, wear a swimsuit or clothes that you don’t mind getting wet. Cotton is not the best material to wear on the river; synthetic fabrics such as nylon and polypropylene work the best because they dry quickly. For cool days, we have neoprene wetsuits, booties and fleece. You may rent these items when you check in for your trip. Shoes that are secure on your feet are required (please no flip-flops). For Overnight Trips, please review our Overnight Trip Packing List (PDF).
Bring a towel or dry clothing to change into at the end of your whitewater rafting trip, so you’re comfortable on the 40-minute return ride to Jackson. There are forest service changing rooms for you to use at the landing. Sunglasses (secure with Croakies), hats and sunscreen are a good idea; cameras and binoculars are not recommended on whitewater rafting trips.
We provide complimentary splash jackets and pants for all of our river trips.
Do I really need a wetsuit & booties for the whitewater trip?
The truth is, you are a better gauge on your own personal thermostat than we are. In early season, remember that water is fresh snow melt! Refreshing indeed and a wetsuit makes a huge difference for all. There are times in early season when we will make them mandatory for all participants. Even in the heat of summer, the Snake River only reaches into the high 50’s, low 60’s, so we recommend wetsuits for the kiddos the majority of the season since they don’t have as much body insulation as adults. Typically it is always 5-7 degrees cooler on the water than the ambient air temp! As for the booties, bottom line, if you don’t want your shoes to get wet, get ’em! You must have shoes that are secure to your feet and can get wet.
What class are the rapids on the Snake River in Jackson Hole?
The whitewater rafting section of the Snake River is Class II/III, perfect for people of all ages and experience. It is a traditional Western River, with big volume water that is being squeezed between Limestone Ledges making for fun haystack waves! River classifications are graded on a scale of I to VI. Class I is flat water. Class V is the most difficult. Class VI is not runnable.
Are our kids ready for whitewater rafting or is a float trip a better match?
For whitewater rafting trips, our minimum age for children is 6 years old (approximately 45 pounds) for most of the summer season. However, high water levels during the early rafting season may increase the minimum age up to 8 – 10 years old and require a more careful screening of all young participants.
For scenic float trips, our minimum age for children is 4 years old (approximately 40 pounds) for most of the summer season. However, high water levels during the early rafting season may increase the minimum age up to 6 years old and require a more careful screening of all young participants.
Safety is always our first priority.
Do we still go whitewater rafting when it rains? What about our float trip?
Our Whitewater Rafting and Scenic Float Trips go rain or shine. On Whitewater Trips, you’re going to get wet anyway! On Scenic Float Trips, showers generally come and go quickly, and we have complimentary splash gear on every boat. In the event of extreme weather, we may decide to cancel or reschedule a trip. Feel free to call us about the weather forecast an hour before your trip, but a final decision will not be made until you meet us at our meeting location for your scheduled rafting trip.
to dip at night, the mornings and late afternoons have been getting cooler in turn causing our guests to bundle up in wet-gear.
time to take a deep breath! As the leaves start to change office staff and guides are headed back to school. Winding down and reflecting upon May-September, we are grateful once again for both new and return client faces full of smiles, an amazing crew, and a safe and successful season! Look forward to next year!
