Popular Expeditions
Colorado River Rafting
Cataract Canyon rafting is an anomaly. Its rapids rank along with those of the Grand Canyon in power and difficulty. In fact, the river becomes unruly during the run off in May and June.
Salmon River Rafting
There is a green hole in the middle of Idaho. A spot refreshingly empty on your highway map. A place where pavement never was…and wild rivers still are…the Salmon River- The River of No Return.
- Summary
- Sample Itinerary
- Trip Details
- About the Area
- Getting Here
- Checklist
Inflatable Kayak Trips
FULL-TIME ON THE SAN JUAN, GREEN RIVER & SALMON RIVER CANYON
- May 16-18 San Juan River
- Aug 5-10 Green River through Desolation Canyon
- Aug 11-14 Salmon River Canyons in Idaho
Inflatable kayaks are small one person boats which with minimal instruction will allow you to play the river on your own. They add action and excitement on small to moderate sized rapids and allow you to poke along down the river while chatting with others. The guides will orient you to your craft at the beginning of the trip to make sure you are comfortable and understand a forward and back paddle stroke. An oar boat will accompany the trip to handle all the gear and food so your only chore is to paddle your way down the river.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Captain your own kayak the entire trip
- Play in Class I, II & III whitewater rapids
- Enjoy an active vacation
- View amazing scenery
- Beautiful camps and big sandy beaches
About Holiday
Find out more about Holiday River Expeditions
The Food
Learn more about the great food
The Gear
Gear description
Sample Itinerary
SAN JUAN RIVER
The San Juan River is well known for a phenomenon known as sand waves. Often eight-feet tall, these sand waves appear to rise out of nowhere due to shifting sand on the bottom of this fast moving river. In 1938, Norman Nevills began the very first commercial enterprise offering white water rafting trips from Mexican Hat through the Grand Canyon.
This trip will start in Bluff, Utah at Sand Island and end in Mexican Hat. Highlights along the way are River House Ruin, one of the best preserved ancient pueblo dwellings in the Southwest and Comb Ridge, the 600-foot edge to the enormous Monument Up warp. The scenery here is breathtaking!
For all of the trip details about the trip, where to meet and what to bring, visit our San Juan page.
DESOLATION CANYON – GREEN RIVER
As the Green River glides through the Tavaputs Plateau, it forms a deep gorge that rivals those found in the Grand Canyon at Bright Angel Creek (5500′). You will marvel at the primeval ruins and abandoned homesteads surrounded by a fertile landscape of cottonwoods amongst soft sand beaches. You will have the opportunity to explore this incredible canyon.
This trip will start in Green River, Utah where you will fly in a light aircraft to Sand Wash and end the trip at Swasey’s beach. Highlights along the way are hikes to view the Fremont Indian ruins and petroglyphs, observe abandoned Rock Creek and McPherson Ranches, and paddle numerous beginner type rapids.
For all of the trip details about the trip, where to meet and what to bring, visit our Desolation Canyon page
SALMON RIVER CANYONS
This section of the mighty Salmon River guides us through four stunning canyons Green, Cougar, Snowhole and Blue Canyons — as the surroundings change from sheer rock canyons to rolling mountains plated in golden grass. Run some exciting rapids and enjoy the plentiful white sand beaches that appear along the shores of the Salmon River. Travel to the confluence of the Snake and Salmon Rivers. We may stop at Cottonwood Creek and Cache Bar, two more important Nez Perce sites.
This trip will start in Grangeville, Idaho where you will take a thirty-minute ride to the river, we launch the trip at Hammer Creek (near Whitebird) and end the trip at Heller Bar and return to our headquarters in Grangeville, Idaho.
For all of the trip details about the trip, where to meet and what to bring, visit our Salmon River Canyons Page.
Getting Here
Holiday River Expedition's Travel Agents - Mateja Harrington & Cindy Swenson with Cruise and Travel Masters are happy to assist you with your travel plans. Contact Mateja or Cindy to take the work out of "Getting Here".
Toll Free - 800-264-0557 (You must ask for Mateja Harrington or Cindy Swenson) Or, do it yourself, we can help… Air Service to Salt Lake City (SLC) or Denver (DEN) TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS FROM SALT LAKE CITY to Green River, Vernal or Blanding, Utah Once in Salt Lake City most of our guests rent-a-car and drive to our meeting points. Salt Lake City to Green River 180 miles Shuttle Service to Green River or Blanding, Utah from Salt Lake City (Vernal is on a Charter basis only) TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS FROM DENVER to Green River, Vernal or Blanding, Utah Air Service to Moab (CNY) (52 miles south of Green River), Utah from Denver, Colorado
Email Attention Mateja or Cindy: askus@cruiseandtravelmasters.comivider-short"> Colorado and Utah Rivers
Gateway - Salt Lake City, Utah OR Denver, Colorado
Rental Cars
All rental cars are located in both terminals of the Salt Lake City Airport.
Salt Lake City to Blanding 300 miles
Salt Lake City to Vernal 180 miles
Air Service to Vernal (VEL), Utah from Denver, Colorado
Gear & Clothing Checklist
PROVIDED BY HOLIDAY RIVER EXPEDITIONS |
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GEAR YOU MUST BRING OR RENT FROM HOLIDAY
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RECOMMENDED CLOTHING
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EARLY OR LATE SEASONS SUPPLEMENTS
(May and Sept. on all trips and in June on all Idaho, Yampa and Lodore trips.)|
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There is a greater chance of inclement weather on these trips which otherwise offer many advantages to the well-prepared river traveler. Polypropylene, fleece, pile, bunting, capeline, etc. are a few examples of trade names for a class of synthetic materials that retain their ability to insulate when wet (please note, cotton does not.) Your comfort on the trip starts with finding the right type of synthetic under and outer-wear and quality rain gear. We recommend Backcountry.com for your additional river trip needs. Backcountry.com offers a wide variety of gear to help you dress for success the for your river trip no matter what the weather decides to do. A prepared traveler is a happy traveler.
ITEMS YOU CAN BUY AT HOLIDAY'S ONLINE STORE: www.HolidayExpeditions.com/store or at our accessories stores in Green River and Vernal; the meeting points for our Cataract, Westwater, Ranch, Desolation, Labyrinth, Fisher Towers, Lodore and Yampa trips.
ITEMS YOU CAN BUY AT BACKCOUNTRY.COM: www.backcountry.com
