Western River Expeditions

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Founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey, Western River Expeditions is the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon with 13,000 user-days, and the largest single tour provider in Moab, UT. Western River offers trips through the natural wonders of Utah, Idaho and Colorado for adventurers of all ages and levels.

Moab Adventure Center

At Western's Moab Adventure Center, you can create your own experience with as many half to full-day activities as you wish, plus stay in a comfortable hotel each night. The center is your place for all the gear and souvenirs for your trip too.

Website: http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/

Office Locations

Western River Expeditions is a nationally recognized outfitter headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah with operations and offices in Moab, Utah and Fredonia, Arizona.

Annual Guests

Western services over 30,000 guests on trips each year through river vacations and the Moab Adventure Center.

Points of Departure

Western River currently has seven points of departure for its trips, depending on which adventure you choose. They include:

Salt Lake City, Utah

Moab, Utah

Las Vegas, Nevada

Marble Canyon, Arizona

Stanley, Idaho

Boise, Idaho

Grand Junction, Colorado

Waters to Raft

Western River provides professionally guided rafting trips on:
Colorado River in Utah and Arizona
Grand Canyon (188 or 100 miles)
Cataract Canyon (100 miles)
Westwater Canyon (16 miles)
Moab Day Trip (14 miles)
Green River in Utah
Green River, Desolation Canyon (84 miles)
Idaho Rafting Trips
Main Salmon River (89 miles)
Middle Fork Salmon River (100 miles)
Snake River through Hells Canyon

Vacation Variety

Everything from day trips to week-long escapes, from everyday adventurer to first-time fun-seekers, from extreme thrills to tame chills, from roughing it in the elements to pampering at four-star resorts and spas.

Price Range and Duration

Fully-equipped, multiple-day expeditions are all inclusive in their prices. Some trips will have optional add-ons (such as flights and shuttles). All multi-day trips include transportation to the river, food (meals and snacks), drinks camping equipment, safety equipment and professional guide service. For a complete list of trips and prices, see our printable summary sheet: http://www.westernriver.com/comparisons/

Western’s Guides

Western’s staff includes over 60 licensed and professionally trained guides, all with their own stories and experiences to share. Each Western guide experiences nearly 300 hours of training before escorting his or her first guest down the river. This training includes swift water rescue certification, CPR and First Aid Certification, a state licensing test, food handler's education, on-river cooking courses, geology and interpretation classes, and Western's renowned custom guide-training program.

Western’s Fleet of Vessels

Western uses 4 different types of vessels to navigate the waters, including:

20 J-Rigs
25 Row Rafts
20 Paddle Boats
30 Inflatable kayaks

Western’s Special Hummers®

Western’s professional guides operate custom Hummer® vehicles with raised seating in the rear for optimum passenger viewing. With 16 inches of ground clearance and an extremely low center of gravity, the Hummer® can navigate virtually any terrain imaginable.

Season

Western River offers trips March through October on selected waterways.

Other activities

In addition to the best rafting vacations in the West, Western River offers tours via Hummer, horseback, jet boat, 4x4, airplane and mountain bike.

Specialty Trips

Western offers trips for everyone and every group, including:

Women’s Adventure
Corporate Retreats
Group and Family Reunion Trips

Western’s Culinary Arts

Western’s guides are not only trained in the outdoors and geography of the area, they are also talented campfire cooks. Expect anything but your normal camping food on trips with Western River. Look forward to plates of steaming flapjacks, fresh fruit and scrambled eggs every morning and tasty chicken and veggie wraps or perhaps chicken salad pitas as part of Western's mid-day buffet. Dinner every night is different including grilled chicken breasts, tender steaks, pasta, or fresh fish.

Guiding Green Philosophy

Western River is committed to not only providing the best rafting trips in the world, but also to protecting those valuable resources in the environment we operate in and giving back to our community. See: http://www.westernriver.com/whywestern/environment.php

Awards

Western River Expeditions Recent Awards and Recognitions:

National Geographic Adventure Magazine “Best Adventure Travel Company”
Utah Best of State
The Official Best of Utah

See http://www.westernriver.com/awards/ for more details.

Reservations

Western River Expedition’s helpful reservations specialists are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. MST at (801) 942-6669 or toll free at (866) 904-1160. You can also book your trip online at: http://secure.westernriver.com/express/reservation/

Contact Information

-Brandon Lake, Vice President

Phone: 801-942-6669 x101

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

-Widness & Wiggins PR

Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or

Dave Wiggins / 303-554-8821/ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rejuvenate Your New Year's Fitness Resolutions by Planning for an Epic Rafting Journey with Above Average Snowpack

Details: Released on Monday, 10 February 2020 11:03

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, Feb. 10, 2020 – When there’s deep snow on the Rocky Mountains, spring and summer waters run flush. Currently, the Upper Colorado River drainage is running 116% of average on this calendar date.

This means sweet music to river rafters who hope to challenge the rapids at the earliest sign of spring.

The anticipation of an exciting outdoor adventure can often be just the thing to bring those all-too-quickly-forgotten fitness resolutions back to life! A stellar fitness level is not a requirement by any means to experience a Western River Expedition, but it certainly never hurts to visualize yourself participating in a much awaited adventure to help move you along.

Here are a handful of pre-rafting season, physical prep suggestions from Western River Expeditions, the experts on all things river rafting.

● Make that stair stepper your new best friend by envisioning winding switchbacks hiking the many trails emanating from deep inside Cataract Canyon. You’ll love the spectacular hike while taking time out from navigating the swirls and eddies of the Colorado River on a four-day Cataract Canyon rafting adventure. The daily investment in 3000 stair steps now is building stamina, too, for the excitement of class II-IV Colorado River whitewater. Here in the heart of Canyonlands National Park is a 100-mile-long chasm that winds through dazzling geologic formations. Native American ruins and pictographs are add-ons to the action that ends with a flight over the scene, returning to Moab, Utah. The season is May into August, with rates from $1,625.

● Weighted body squats may feel grim now, but consider the strength you’ll build between now as you look forward to grabbing your dry bag and locating the perfect campsite on a sandy beach along the banks of the river. On a five-day Desolation Canyon adventure you do just this -- camp for four nights along the Green River whose 60 class II and III rapids wind 88 miles on a journey through a wilderness of twisted mountains, dramatic cliffs and towering plateaus. The wonder begins while flying from Moab for the introduction to 40 million years of geologic history, outlaw hideouts, ancient dinosaur habitats and Fremont Native American petroglyphs. The season is June through August. The rate is from $1,745.

● Your other new best friend is the rowing machine. Envision yourself paddling your inflatable kayak as captain of your own vessel. Aim for 1000 meters and eyeball Idaho’s Main Salmon River rife with class II-IV rapids on an 82-mile river journey. Rich in scenic wonders and history, the Main Salmon River drops 1,200 feet over these miles, creating some exciting memories along the way. The blue-green waters, known as the "River of No Return," warm up to very comfortable temperatures in July and August. Calm sections and deep pools are perfect for relaxing, swimming and simply absorbing the country's splendor. Pine forests, granite mountains, abundant wildlife, rock paintings and homestead cabins embellish the landscape. The season is June through August. The rate is from $1,490.

● Run an extra lap to celebrate. This pre-rafting physical prep, after all, is targeting not only cardiac strength but also the celebration of the river adventure, of pristine wildlands and abundant nature. You’ll be on the water soon but plan ahead to get on a Grand Canyon rafting trip in 2021, when much of 2020 is already sold out!

For a copy of Western River Expeditions’ 2020 catalog, questions, availability and reservations call toll-free: 866.904.1160 (Local: 801.942.6669) or visit the website at: http://www.westernriver.com/.

About Western River Expeditions

Western River Expeditions is an adventure travel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, with operations and offices in Moab, Utah and Fredonia, Arizona. Annually from March through October it escorts more people down rivers on professionally guided rafting trips in Utah, Idaho and Arizona than any other company. It is the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon and the largest single tour provider in Moab, UT, through its division Moab Adventure Center (http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/).

Western River Expeditions, providing Grand Canyon rafting, Utah and Idaho rafting, and international multi-sport trips, was founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey. It has been named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine. The company is the proud recipient of the "Best of State" award through Utah’s Premier Recognition and Awards Program for the past sixteen consecutive years (2004-2019).

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Media Contact:

For inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness: 802.234.6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins: 720.301.3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Western River Expeditions:

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WesternRiverExpeditions

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/WesternRiver

On You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/bestraftingvacations?

On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/westernriver/

What You Need to Know About Costa Rica Before You Book Your Next Vacation

Details: Released on Tuesday, 26 November 2019 13:32

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, Nov. 26, 2019 – When it comes to a vacation in Costa Rica, the experts advise that “you gotta know the territory.” But how can you if you’ve never been there?

Follow the tips of Western River Expeditions, soon to enter its 59th season of award-winning adventure travel. Here are a few of many questions this company suggests you ponder before booking a Western River Expeditions’ 9-Day Costa Rica Vacation Package.

When is the best time to visit Costa Rica? This is the question that everyone asks and the answer is, “It depends!” Mid-December to April can often be drier, but due to this, and the fact that it’s a popular time to get away to warm destinations, the crowds can be greater. During May through the first half of December, daily rainfall is more common. It’s a period the locals refer to as “the green season.” During this period, you might experience different wildlife and fewer crowds. Generally, the rain doesn’t last all day and guests find periods of lovely sunshine each day as well.

But here’s a little secret! In some years, visitors reap the rewards of Costa Rica’s “Little Summer” (Veranillo de San Juan or Little Summer of Saint John) in July. Because of a little-known weather phenomenon that in-the-know wildlife lovers are keen to, July is one of the best times to visit Costa Rica. The secret is a drier break after the rains of May and June that yield flowering trees and fruits, which attract a lot of wildlife.

Do you appreciate crowds or are you looking for something more secluded? The time of travel will affect the crowd levels in popular destinations such as Arenal and Manuel Antonio, but Western River Expeditions has built in to its Costa Rica itinerary a few days of blissful seclusion. In the heart of the jungle sits the Pacuare Lodge, a remote rainforest paradise. Guests raft in with a small group and, once at the lodge, participants find themselves surrounded mostly by dense jungle and the sounds of the nearby river. A hike along centuries-old trails to the top of the Talamanca Mountains brings a visit with the Cabécar Indians, the largest indigenous group in Costa Rica. This is only one of the eight lodge-based activities to choose from. Extending a stay at the lodge (optional) gives visitors even more time to participate in the various experiences offered.

When is the best time to go rafting in Costa Rica? The Pacuare River (rated among the top 10 rivers in the world by National Geographic) offers 38 Class II-IV rapids over 16 river miles with the caveat that the excitement varies by how high and fast the river is flowing. During the dry season of January to April whitewater rafting in Costa Rica is more sanguine than during the misting and green months of May through December. That said, there can always be unpredictable rainfall any time of year that raises the water levels - and the excitement levels.

Is birding a passion? From a bird watching tour at the Pacaure Lodge, to the Mistico Hanging Bridges tour which boasts over 200 species of birds, to the Manuel Antonio National Park which is home to more than 180 different species visitors will find plenty of rare picture taking opportunities.

Interested in surfing? Experienced surfers appreciate the bigger waves of September and October on the Pacific Coast. Adrenaline-seeking travelers wanting to take optional surfing lessons while in Manuel Antonio (highly recommended), might appreciate the somewhat tamer surf during the remainder of the year.

Do you love authentic wildlife viewing? You’ll likely find wildlife in Costa Rica no matter when you choose to visit. One of the top destinations on the Western River 9-Day Costa Rica itinerary is the Manuel Antonio National Park. Home to a variety of mammal species, it is a thrill to be personally greeted by multiple curious Mono Titi monkeys on a day tour.

“Our guests experience Costa Rica by the activities they choose, such as river rafting, zip lining over the rainforest canopy and a 3km walk over 15 bridges suspended from the ground to the treetops. But guests are also taken to the base of the Arenal Volcano where they can soak in therapeutic cascading hot springs, through the sights and sounds of primitive rainforests and jungles as well as to Manuel Antonio National Park (named one of the world’s 12 most beautiful national parks by Forbes). This park is home to 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds. Here on the Pacific Ocean are the sandy beaches and gentle surf that fulfill the requirements of a great vacation,” said company CMO Brandon Lake.

The basic rate is from $3,705 per person, double inclusive of transfers, hotels, activities, 11 meals and most activities. Western River Expeditions’ core Costa Rica program can be arranged for just two people or for up to 25 and can be customized by lengthening or shortening the trip and by adding or deleting activities. Year-round departures on a space-available basis can be tailored to travelers’ schedules.

The tour utilizes four distinguished properties selected for panache, location and comfort. In the gateway city of San Jose is Hotel Grano de Oro. At Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort guests enjoy a swim-up bar, local and international gourmet cuisine and they are positioned to explore the geology of Arenal Volcano and nearby hot springs. While on the Pacuare River guests enjoy Pacuare Lodge (National Geographic Traveler World’s Best Ecolodge). Tulemar Bungalows (a Travel + Leisure World’s Best award winner)in Manuel Antonio National Park offers and ocean and beaches.

For details please see https://www.westernriver.com/costa-rica-vacation-package.

For more on how Costa Rica weather varies from season to season, see https://www.westernriver.com/costa-rica-vacation-package/weather.

To request a copy of Western River Expeditions’ 2019-2020 catalog and for questions, availability and reservations, call toll-free: 866.904.1160 (Local: 801.942.6669), or visit the award-winning website at: http://www.westernriver.com/.

About Western River Expeditions

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Media Contact:

For inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness: 802.234.6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins: 720.301.3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Western River Expeditions:

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WesternRiverExpeditions

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/WesternRiver

On You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/bestraftingvacations?

On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/westernriver/

Western River Expeditions Taking Reservations on Nov. 12, 2019 for 2021 Grand Canyon Rafting Vacations

Details: Released on Wednesday, 30 October 2019 10:47

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, Oct. 30, 2019 – The clock is ticking. At 6 p.m. Mountain Time on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, Western River Expeditions begins taking reservations for coveted rafting vacations on the Grand Canyon for 2021.

The company anticipates that the majority of departures for coveted Grand Canyon rafting trips will sell out by end of this year, many of the most popular dates filling within minutes.

Due to limited availability and annual popularity, Western River Expeditions’ sales team is tasked with suggesting suitable alternatives for sold-out Grand Canyon space for those river enthusiasts who just can’t wait two years to get on the water. Except for those lucky few who might grab a cancelled spot for next summer, Western’s 2020 Grand Canyon space is already filled.

Two incredible, but lesser-known options to Grand Canyon include a four-day trip through Cataract Canyon, often referred to as the “The Grand Canyon’s Younger Sister ” or a five-day family-oriented journey down Desolation Canyon on the Green River.

“Utah’s Cataract Canyon, deep within Canyonlands National Park, is near enough in scale, appearance and proximity to Grand Canyon that it works the same kind of magic one will find in the Grand herself. Just one canyon upstream on the Colorado River in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park is hands down the best alternative to a Grand Canyon rafting vacation,” explains Brandon Lake, Western’s CMO.

If you’re planning to travel with kids, an option that families often enjoy even more than Grand Canyon, is Desolation Canyon on the Green River, a mellower but equally breathtaking rafting experience. Like Cataract, it also departs from Moab, Utah and has good availability for 2020 and 2021.

For more details on Western River Expeditions’ most popular rafting vacations, please see

● Grand Canyon- http://www.westernriver.com/grand-canyon-vacation. Bookings open Nov. 12, 2019 for 2021 trip dates. 2020 is mostly sold out.

● Cataract Canyon 4-day- http://www.westernriver.com/cataract-canyon-rafting.
Cataract Canyon 2-day - http://www.westernriver.com/cataract-canyon-express. These adventures through Canyonlands National Park on the Colorado River are rated as one of the best rafting trips in America. Thrilling rapids combine with explorations of ancient Native American sites and dark-sky star gazing.

● Desolation Canyon - http://www.westernriver.com/desolation-canyon. Rates for five days include a spectacular scenic flight from Moab to a dramatic desert plateau where the adventure through 40 million years of geologic history begins. Think outlaw hideouts, ancient dinosaur habitats and Native American petroglyphs. Children as young as 5 years old are welcome.

For a copy of Western River Expeditions’ 2019/2020 catalog, questions, availability and reservations call toll-free: 866.904.1160 (Local: 801.942.6669) or visit the website at: http://www.westernriver.com/.

About Western River Expeditions

# # #

Media Contact:

For inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness: 802.234.6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins: 720.301.3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Western River Expeditions:

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WesternRiverExpeditions

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/WesternRiver

On You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/bestraftingvacations?

On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/westernriver/

River Rafting Is at Its Best In Late Summer in Utah, Says Western River Expeditions

Details: Released on Wednesday, 17 July 2019 09:53

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, July 17, 2019 – While some adventure-seekers may prefer the springtime when runoff is at its peak, most river runners will agree that rafting in southern Utah is at its best come late summer. Here the Colorado and Green Rivers and their significant tributaries ripple and roll into early fall, promising more moderate whitewater and scenic floats combined with off-river wilderness adventure.

The guides and crew of Western River Expeditions, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, put their heads together and came up with five solid reasons why the late summer season is prime for mixing up vacation days with river currents. Company CMO Brandon Lake, shares their thoughts.

Bigger beaches- As water levels begin to drop, big, sandy beaches start to appear along the river's edge, making for wonderful campsites and ideal lunch stops, perfect for a game of volleyball or horseshoes.
Warmer water temperatures- As the river slows, it has more time to warm in the intense rays of the sun, offering very comfortable temperatures for floating and swimming.
Inflatable kayaks- If you like to try paddling your own boat, this is the perfect time of year to do it on Western’s Desolation Canyon and Southwest Sampler trips.
Fewer bugs- While higher water levels can be exciting, they also tend to attract more bugs. As things dry out later in the season, the bugs dissipate.
More availability– As school seems to kick back into gear earlier and earlier each year, these last weeks of summer offer more reservation availability, giving you time to maybe even squeeze in one more adventure before the 2019 summer and early fall come to a close.

Lake offers this selection of trips that have still have good 2019 late-summer/fall availability:

A 4 Day Cataract Canyon Rafting Trip features playful Class III-IV rapids over 100 river miles in oar and paddle-powered boats with off-river hikes to ancient Native American ruins and fascinating pictographs. Just south of Moab, UT, where the Green and Colorado rivers meet in a majestic setting called "The Confluence," Cataract Canyon begins. Bolstered by the Green River, the Colorado River doubles its force, and carves a deep 100-mile-long chasm through the heart of Canyonlands National Park. Guests experience a fly-over through the park on the return to Moab, after camping under the stars. The 2019 per person rate is from $1,570. The minimum age is 10.

A 5 Day Desolation Canyon itinerary brings guests into a remote wilderness where no roads or towns exist. This canyon was carved over millennia by the 730-mile Green River that is spawned by glacial melts on the Continental Divide up north in Wyoming. On its journey south into Utah, the Green has created such an unforgettable universe that Desolation Canyon has been singled out as a National Register of Historic Places.

The river promises thrills galore while rafting 88 river miles over 60 fun-filled Class II and III rapids. Guests may choose to paddle two-person inflatable kayaks or sit back and enjoy the scenery in an oar-powered raft manned by an experienced guide. The fun begins with a scenic flight from Moab to the top of a dramatic desert plateau. Rates are from $1,690. The minimum age is 5.

A 4 Day Southwest Sampler Vacation explores the red rock vacation playground of Moab, mixing up rafting, sunset Hummer Safaris and hiking in Arches National Park. Guests can choose oar or paddle boats or duckies while rafting 20 river miles over Class I-III rapids on the Colorado River. One night is spent camping under the stars and the other two at the new Marriott SpringHill Suites in Moab. Rates are from $690. The minimum age is 5.

A 4 Day Westwater Multisport Vacation delivers the thrill of Class III-IV rapids in oar and paddle boats over 26 river miles, with different adventures daily and the comforts of home at Red Cliffs Lodge at night. Westwater Canyon is legendary. National Geographic named this experience “The West’s Best Short Whitewater Trip.” Hummer safaris and optional horseback riding offer scenes and vistas straight out of favorite Western movies. Rates are from $699. The minimum age is 12.

About Western River Expeditions

Western River Expeditions, providing Grand Canyon rafting, Utah and Idaho rafting, and international multi-sport trips, was founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey. It has been named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine. The company is the proud recipient of the "Best of State" award through Utah’s Premier Recognition and Awards Program for sixteen consecutive years.

For a copy of Western River Expeditions’ 2019 catalog, questions, availability and reservations call toll-free: 866.904.1160 (Local: 801.942.6669), or visit: http://www.westernriver.com/.

# # #

Media Contact:

For inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness: 802.234.6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins: 720.301.3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Western River Expeditions:

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WesternRiverExpeditions

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/WesternRiver

On You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/bestraftingvacations

On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/westernriver/

Western River Expeditions Named the World’s Best White Water Rafting Tour by USA TODAY Readers

Details: Released on Tuesday, 04 June 2019 09:48

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, June 4, 2019– The results are in! After nearly a month of online voting, the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for the world’s best white water rafting tour goes to Western River Expeditions!

“Western River Expeditions (https://www.westernriver.com/) has more than 50 years of experience guiding trips along the rivers and canyons of the American West,” states USA Today. “Today, the company offers itineraries in Arizona (Grand Canyon), Utah, Idaho, Oregonand Costa Rica. From white-knuckle rapids to more relaxed family floats, rafting is a great way to add a dash of adventure to a trip.”

Dozens of nominees were chosen by a panel of relevant experts who include editors from USA TODAY and 10Best.com plus relevant expert contributors. Winners were chosen by highest total votes accumulated in an online voting forum. Members of the public could vote once daily from April 22-May 20. The final results were announced to the world on Friday, May 31, 2019.

“We want to thank the editors and staff of USA TODAY 10Best along with all the loyal travelers who voted for Western River Expeditions,” said Brian Merrill, company CEO. “Our staff works hard to make every trip an exceptional experience and it’s very rewarding to be recognized for our daily efforts!”

The Top 10 finishers in the category of Best White Water Rafting Tour are as follows:

Western River Expeditions
U.S. Rafting
Wildman Adventure Resort
Barker Ewing Whitewater
Zoar Outdoor
OARS
Arkansas River Tours
Downstream Adventures
Three Rivers Whitewater
Far Flung Adventures

Three outside travel experts helped select the 20 original nominees for the awards voting. They were, Lisa Ellen Niver, an award-winning travel expert on KTLA TV who has explored 101 countries and six continents. Her website, We Said Go Travel, is read in 212 countries. LiLing Pang is founder and CEO at Trekaroo, a travel resource and online community of "families inspiring each other to travel the world." Jeremy Clement is a Co-Founder at Project Expedition, a website where travelers can discover and book tours and activities in destinations around the world.

About

For more details on the contest see https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-white-water-rafting-tour/

For a copy of Western River Expeditions’ 2019 catalog, questions, availability and reservations call toll-free: 866.904.1160 (Local: 801.942.6669), or visit: http://www.westernriver.com/.

# # #

Media Contact:

For inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness: 802.234.6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins: 720.301.3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Western River Expeditions:

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WesternRiverExpeditions

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/WesternRiver

On You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/bestraftingvacations?

On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/westernriver/

Western River Expeditions Offers Rafting and Wildlife Adventures on Oregon’s Wild Rogue River

Details: Released on Thursday, 30 May 2019 10:59

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, May 30, 2019 -- Imagine a river so remote that mail to riverside residents comes by jet boat. Here a lush eco system harbors a profundity of wildlife along a 45-mile section defined by Class II-IV whitewater thrills.

Western River Expeditions hosts multiple departures of a floating wildlife safari this season. Rogue River Rafting and Lodge combines whitewater rafting on Oregon’s wild and scenic Rogue River with hiking, wildlife spotting and overnight stays in comfortable lodges along its course. The boats used on these adventures range from oar to paddle boats and inflatable kayaks.

The 2019 Rogue River three-day program is $1,095 per person double (single supplement $500) with availability on June 8, 22; July 27 and Aug 24. The 2019 Rogue River four-day program is $1,375 per person double (single supplement $600) with availability June 2, 16; July 14, 21, 28 and Aug 4, 11, 18, 25. The minimum age is seven. The gateway is Merlin (Medford), Oregon. See: https://www.westernriver.com/rogue-river-lodge-trip

Rainy winters and sun-filled summers create ideal river running conditions along the Rogue’s course that begins near Crater Lake in the Cascade Mountains and runs westerly through southern Oregon to the Pacific Ocean.

“Western River Expeditions has river rafting programs in Costa Rica where wildlife viewing is always exciting. But stateside, the Rogue can’t be beat when it comes to the wildlife our guests may see,” said Brandon Lake, CMO of Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/). He cited a recent study by a colleague in the river rafting industry who reported on the chances of spotting the following wildlife during a typical four-day river rafting trip:

Black-tailed deer - 95% chance of seeing
North American river otter - 65% chance
American black bear - 50% chance
North American beaver - 10% chance
Osprey - 95% chance
Ouzel - 95% chance
Great Blue Heron- 95% chance
Bald Eagle- 50% chance
Rough-skinned newt- 95% chance
Steelhead - 90% chance
Salmon - 50% chance
Sturgeon - 10% chance

“On most of our other rafting trips, guests can experience camping under the stars, but on the Rogue we feature the luxury of lodge-based accommodations. With so much daytime whitewater and wildlife excitement along the Rogue, we depend on our lodge hosts to calm and pamper our guests at night with sumptuous dining and cozy beds,” Lake added.

The Rogue River was one of the first (in 1968) rivers designated a Wild & Scenic river ecosystem.

Another non-camping option offered by Western River Expeditions is its Westwater Canyon Rafting & Multisport Trip on the Colorado River in the back country around Moab, Utah. In addition to rafting 26 miles in oar and paddle boats over Class II-IV rapids, guests enjoy exploring off-river on a Hummer® Safari and the option of horseback riding. Nights are spent in riverside cabins at the stunningly located Red Cliffs Lodge, surrounded by red rock country and Arches National Park. This adventure is available June through September. The minimum age is 12. The gateway is Moab. For details see https://www.westernriver.com/westwater-canyon.

For a copy of Western River Expeditions’ 2019 catalog, questions, availability and reservations call toll-free: 866.904.1160 (Local: 801.942.6669) or visit the website at: http://www.westernriver.com/.

About Western River Expeditions

# # #

Media Contact:

For inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness: 802.234.6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins: 720.301.3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Western River Expeditions:

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WesternRiverExpeditions

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Western River Expeditions Gears Up for Possible Record High Water Thanks to Deep Snowpack in March

Details: Released on Friday, 22 March 2019 11:09

SALT LAKE CITY, March 21, 2019 – Measurements of snow pack in the Upper Colorado River Basin taken on March 22, 2019, are the highest they have been in seven years.

Compared to depths measured on this date since 2013, the snow pack stood at 137.9%. This early spring snow pack and probable continuing seasonal rains bode well for river rafting vacations this season on the Colorado River System, reports Western River Expeditions.

“Thanks to an active El Niño year, I think we can safely predict an above-average, possibly even record whitewater year and a robust spring runoff from all the snow the Rockies have received. If spring temperatures are normal or cooler than average, the mountains will preserve a lot of this massive snow pack moisture until normal run-off time in May through mid-June. If the spring is wet, then it will be an epic high-water year. If it’s dry, I'm confident that it will at least be average and average is awesome!” said Brandon Lake, CMO of Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/).

This news is music to the ears of avid rafters who love the thrills of high-water rafting. High water also gives rafters more time for side canyon hikes and exploring terrain around their river camps because they get to the camps faster.

The river system of the Upper Colorado River Basin is built by flows from numerous western rivers. The data that Lake’s team works with for the Colorado River Basin impacts the company’s Cataract and Westwater canyons and Green River trips.

The snow pack news is also a call to action at Western River Expeditions that is gearing up with equipment and guide training for a high-water year. The high water gives Western River Expeditions greater flexibility to match up rafting experience with the level of white water. And it can switch out the craft it uses depending on the water’s intensity. For the beginning of this season Lake expects that the J Rig, the largest craft in their fleet (offering greater stability than smaller oar and paddle rafts), would be the vessel of choice for rafting on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon.

Lake explained that Cataract Canyon near Moab, UT, begins where the Green and Colorado Rivers meet. Bolstered by the Green River, the Colorado River doubles its force and carves a deep 100-mile-long chasm through the heart of Canyonlands National Park. Here guests experience the thrill of class III-V whitewater.

Western’s Cataract Canyon4-day trip mixes running the rapids with off-river hikes to ancient Native American ruins and pictographs. Guests conclude this adventure with a stunning flight over Canyonlands National Park on the return to Moab. The trip covers 100 river miles with the pleasures of camping under the stars and dining on chef-prepared meals. The 2019 per person rate (16+) $1,570. For details see https://www.westernriver.com/cataract-canyon-rafting

Other rafting trips on the Colorado and neighboring Green Rivers in Utah are also expected to have higher than average water levels this spring and summer. They include Desolation Canyon on the Green River and Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River just upriver from Cataract Canyon.

To see the latest snowpack reports see: http://snowpack.water-data.com/uppercolorado/index.php

For a copy of Western River Expeditions’ 2019 catalog, questions, availability and reservations call toll-free: 866.904.1160 (Local: 801.942.6669), or visit: http://www.westernriver.com/.

About Western River Expeditions

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Media Contact:

For inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:

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Dave Wiggins: 720.301.3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Western River Expeditions Anticipates One of Its Best Years in History Thanks to Strong Early Bookings

Details: Released on Wednesday, 16 January 2019 10:24

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, Jan. 17, 2019 –One river rafting company anticipates one of its best years in its history is just around the bend, thanks to the unprecedented strength of its early season bookings.

Western River Expeditions reports that its 3, 4, 6 and 7-day Grand Canyon trips for 2020 are full on many dates. And 2019 is already completely sold out. Western River is taking a wait list for spots that open up due to cancellations.

Opening day to place 2020 reservations was Nov. 15, 2018. “We booked over 1,000 seats on that day alone,” says Brandon Lake, CMO of Western River Expeditions. “Online bookings are way up, with over 70 percent of some trips being booking online. Compared to the 40 percent average norm, this is a huge increase!”

He adds that, “other rivers are also seeing booming interest and bookings.” Bookings for 2019 five-day trips on Desolation Canyon, Green River are up three-fold over 2018. ”We have as many bookings for Desolation Canyon now as we usually end the year with.”

Other rivers favored in this booking uptick, comparing same time 2018 and 2019 include

Oregon’s Rogue River, seven times more bookings now for 3- and 4-day trips;
Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon, twice as many bookings for 5- and 6-day trips;
Cataract Canyon on the Colorado River, twice as many bookings for 4-day trips;
Cataract Canyon Express 2-day trips for 2019 may be sold out by March.

Lake attributes these record sales in part to:

Good overall US economy (to this point),
Swell of retiring Baby Boomers,
Popularity of the bucket list and desire to experience lifelong dreams like running the Grand Canyon and Cataract Canyon,
Increasing interest in National Parks, particularly Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park which many guests visit while in Moab, Utah, before their trip to Desolation Canyon or Cataract Canyon.
Many new, excellent accommodation choices and availability for pre and post-trip stays on adventures that depart from Moab, Utah (Cataract Canyon and Desolation Canyon).

For those chomping at the bit to get on a raft in 2019, Western River advises that people call soon to reserve their space. “There are still some spots on some of our most popular expeditions and this is going to be an incredible year to experience the river.”

Lake explains that Western River is bound by the permits granted to them. These permits limit the number of guests that can travel with them each year. “This number doesn’t change, but guest demand for what is essentially a limited opportunity does.”

“Utah’s Cataract Canyon, deep within Canyonlands National Park, is near enough in scale, appearance and proximity to the Grand Canyon that it works the same kind of magic found in the Grand herself. Just one canyon upstream on the Colorado River in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park is hands down the best alternative to a Grand Canyon rafting vacation,” he says.

Farther north from the confluence, Utah’s Desolation Canyon was carved by the 730-mile Green River, born from glacial melts on the Continental Divide in the Wyoming Rockies. The Green has created such rare and unique universe that Desolation Canyon has been named to the National Register of Historic Places. The Green’s whitewater promises soft adventure thrills over 60 fun-filled Class II and III rapids.

Calling Desolation Canyon “the ultimate, back-country family river trip,” Jason Taylor, an operations manager who oversees all of Western River Expeditions’ trips in Utah, noted that the five-day program is appropriate for children as young as 5. It’s also a great river trip for extended families and first-time rafters.

About Western River Expeditions

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Media Contact:

For inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness: 802.234.6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins: 720.301.3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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First Time Rafting? Western River Expeditions’ Offers Fun and Serious Tips for Novice River Runners

Details: Released on Monday, 10 December 2018 10:05

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, Dec. 10, 2018 – Taking on a new challenge is exhilarating and sometimes a wee bit frightening. This is when advice from the experts comes in handy.

Western River Expeditions (https://www.westernriver.com/) has been putting people and rafts on rivers since 1961. Over this nearly 60-year span of time they have probably seen just about everything guests and nature can deliver. Through this experience, the company has compiled a list of nine sage tips for the novice when it comes to rafting.

Pack like a minimalist. You really won’t need a third pair of pants or additional sneakers. That extra hoodie? That fifth t-shirt? A second high-powered lens for that camera? Leave all this stuff – and your boom box -- at home.

Please unplug. People always seem to overpack by bringing unneeded electronics. The canyon is a dead zone so your cell phone won’t work. That iTunes collection and those Bluetooth headphones only drown out the cool sounds of nature. Wouldn’t you rather listen to the wind, the rippling water and resident wildlife? Without that digital distraction you can have a real conversation. Turn off your lantern and you can see satellites and the Milky Way. A Colorado River rafting trip can be life-changing and inspiring -- but only if you let it. Also think about limiting or banning electronic devices for your kids while on the trip. Pack a book instead. Other trip participants will appreciate it.

Do bring and use your camera. But be sure to bring a waterproof case or bag. You will want to also bring spare batteries and memory cards. Remember to prepare for a full day on the river, your guide can’t stop the raft in the middle of a rapid so you can change a GoPro battery.

Plan to journal along the way. The isolated surroundings of a whitewater rafting trip provide the best place to clear your mind and reconnect with thoughts and emotions that usually are buried and untapped in the bustle and noise of the “civilized” world. Try to take a few moments in the evening to jot down the location of your camp, what impressed you during the day, and what emotions and feelings you may have had. And when the guides start cracking jokes, remember them in writing as well!

Ditch the expensive duds. So you thought about placing that online order for that high-tech shirt that repels dirt, water and mosquitos and still smells sweet on day six? Forget it. You already own what you probably need. Do you know what guides wear? Thrift store dress shirts with long sleeves and a collar to protect against the hot sun. Most likely they are cotton so they stay wet and cool most of the day. They also cost just four bucks. After they wear out or get ripped and torn on a side canyon hike in the Grand Canyon, or mud-stained and red in Cataract Canyon – you can just toss them in the trash and shop for more.

You don’t need a tent. Of course, one is provided but if it doesn’t call for rain, don’t even unpack it. Why everyone wants to sleep in a tent is something guides will never understand. A stuffy tent in the Utah and Arizona desert can be downright stifling. You will actually sleep happier under the stars. The night sky is breathtaking. Trees and thick vegetation in camp will provide all the privacy walls you’ll need for changing.

Accept the fact that you may lose anything you bring. Use this simple guide: if you can’t lose something in camp or in the river without falling into a fit of depression, just don’t bring it with you. Sure, losing a camera or pair of sunglasses can be expensive, it’s the heirloom jewelry or other irreplaceable items that need to be left at home.

PLEASE! Listen to your guide. If yourguide tells youtodrink water all day and wear sunscreen, do both. The first symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, a headache and irritability. No one wants an irritable raft mate and being stuck on the water with other suffering guests can be unpleasant. The happiest campers are those who did not get over-baked and sunburned in the first 20 minutes. If you want to remain happy through day four, be sure to put on sunscreen every day. Also, if guides say not to dive off that rock ledge into the river -- DON’T. They all know or have heard stories about that knucklehead who got hurt doing exactly what you may be thinking about doing.

Most of all, relax. Seriously, relax. It’s why you decided to put your faith in the hands of a professional outfitter and a crew of seasoned guides for your vacation. They know how to best pull off an extraordinary experience with plentiful, delicious food, expert navigation of the rapids, topnotch equipment and ample time allotted to kick-back and enjoy the unforgettable scenery. Go ahead, pull your hat over your eyes, lean back, and enjoy a rare nap in the sand. You have earned it!

About Western River Expeditions

# # #

Media Contact:

For inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness: 802.234.6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins: 720.301.3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Western River Expeditions:

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WesternRiverExpeditions

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/WesternRiver

On You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/bestraftingvacations?

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Western River Expeditions Taking Reservations Starting Nov. 15, 2018, For 2020 Grand Canyon Rafting Trips

Details: Released on Wednesday, 17 October 2018 10:42

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 17, 2018 – Western River Expeditions is taking reservations as of Nov. 15, 2018, for river rafting adventures in 2020 on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.

For those chomping at the bit to get on a raft in 2019, the company advises that its Grand Canyon programs are already sold out; however Western River can take bookings now for comparable river rafting trips for the 2019 season on whitewater rivers through Cataract Canyon (Colorado River) and Desolation Canyon (Green River).

“We’re experiencing significant increases in the number of people booking rafting trips further out and in the number of private charters that take over an entire trip departure,” said Brandon Lake, CMO of Western River Expeditions. He explained that Western River is bound by the permits granted to them. These permits limit the number of guests that can travel with them each year. “This number doesn’t change, but guest demand for what is essentially a limited opportunity does.”

To book a 2020 Grand Canyon rafting trip, visit westernriver.com at 8 a.m. Mountain Time on Nov. 15, 2018, to secure spots. The Western River reservation team will also be ready to assist with phone reservations. Call toll-free 866-904-1160 or 801-942-6669. 2020 reservations will require a $500 per person non-refundable deposit.

Those who can’t wait until 2020 may want to consider experiences similar to the Grand Canyon that also combine spectacular scenery with wild whitewater. Western River Expeditions points out that a four-day Cataract Canyon Rafting Adventure doesn’t play second fiddle to the Grand Canyon. It’s just a different section of the river and as remarkable in its own way.

South of Moab, UT, where the Green and Colorado Rivers meet in a majestic setting called "The Confluence," Cataract Canyon begins. Expanded in size and now fortified by the waters of the Green, the Colorado River carves a deep chasm through the red rock heart of Canyonlands National Park. During spring runoff, the ride can rival the most legendary whitewater anywhere in the world. The remainder of the year river rafters are treated to fun Class III-IV rapids interspersed with calm stretches ideal for a swim under spellbinding canyon walls and geologic formations. Ample time is allotted for side canyon hikes and exploration of ancient Native American sites. The adventure ends with a scenic flight over Canyonlands on the return to Moab’s Canyonlands Field Airport. See: https://www.westernriver.com/cataract-canyon-rafting

Farther north from the confluence, Utah’s Desolation Canyon was carved by the 730-mile Green River, born from glacial melts on the Continental Divide in the Wyoming Rockies. The Green has created such rare and unique universe that “Deso” has been named to the National Register of Historic Places. The Green’s whitewater promises soft adventure thrills over 60 fun-filled Class II and III rapids. The fun begins with a scenic flight from Moab to the top of a remote desert plateau. Winding through a wilderness of twisted mountains, dramatic cliffs and towering mesas carved by an ancient inland sea, the river reveals stories that stretch back over 40 million years in geologic time as guests paddle and splash 88 river miles.

Calling this “the ultimate, back-country family river trip,” Jason Taylor, an operations manager who oversees all of Western River Expeditions’ trips in Utah, noted that the five-day program is appropriate for children as young as 5. It’s also a great river trip for extended families and first-time rafters. For more details please see https://www.westernriver.com/desolation-canyon.

About Western River Expeditions

# # #

Media Contact:

For inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness: 802.234.6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins: 720.301.3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Western River Expeditions:

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WesternRiverExpeditions

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/WesternRiver

On You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/bestraftingvacations?

On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/westernriver/