The Pickpockets Bluegrass Band on the Yampa River

Pickpockets Music Trip Band Group Photo

There is an endless amount of magical moments to experience on a trip down the Yampa River. Flowing between the steep canyon walls is a truly wild river, the last major tributary of the Colorado that remains unregulated. In a single day, you may wake to a gorgeous view, have a blast getting splashed by big waves, spot a bighorn sheep getting a drink, and wander down a trail surrounded by wildflowers on your way to an archaeological site, all before settling in at yet another beautiful camp.

What could possibly make this experience any better, you may ask? Well, what if you were joined by a talented and joyous bluegrass band who played live music each day and evening? Thanks to The Pickpockets, you have that chance! Come float with Dante, Aiden, Alec & Don as they share their unique brand of soulful, upbeat, and fun style of bluegrass in the best amphitheater imaginable: a desert river canyon.

On this five day adventure, our expert guides will cook up gourmet meals, offer fascinating interpretation of the area, and gracefully navigate the river while you sit back and try to take it all in. Hiking opportunities are varied and plentiful with destinations to ancient rock art, amazing viewpoints, and waterfalls. Come join us while we float along, dancing and celebrating life in a truly magical place!

About The Pickpockets:

The Pickpockets were formed in 2018 in Salt Lake City. What began as a weekly jam at the local cidery has now matured into a full fledged force of nature. With an expansive repertoire of songs, a healthy mix of heartfelt original tunes and a full serving of funky jams, the Pickpockets energy and excitement breathe new life into the traditional bluegrass instrumentation.

Read more: Insider’s Guide to Whitewater Rafting on the Yampa River Blog

Vernal, Utah: Things to Do and Places to Explore

The Yampa River flows through the traditional homeland of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) people. With great respect and appreciation, Holiday acknowledges the Indigenous people who lived in and cared for these lands long before the Yampa was set aside as a place only to be visited. You can read more about our land acknowledgements initiative here.
Book This Trip

Trip Overview

  • Type:

    Music

  • Location:

    Yampa River - Dinosaur National Monument

  • Length:

    5 Days

  • Dates:

    June 21 - 25, 2027

  • Meet at:

    Vernal, Utah @ 7:00 p.m. the night before the trip

  • Difficulty:

    Intermediate

  • Min. Age:

    8

  • Prices:

    $1,770 + $12 park entrance fee

  • Deposit:

    400

Highlights

  • Float through a beautiful & awe-inspiring winding canyon
  • Breathtaking starlit night skies in this Gold Tier Dark Sky park
  • Enjoy a soundtrack of fun and joyous live music
  • Expertly guided trip with gourmet meals
  • Lose count of the wildlife you see around every bend
  • Hike to amazing vistas and fascinating archaeological sites

Rates & Dates

Itinerary

From the mountains of Steamboat Springs, the Yampa River emerges and flows west towards Utah. After emerging from Cross Mountain Canyon, the river meanders its way to Deerlodge Park, where we will begin our trip. Over the next 47 miles, the Yampa descends over its steep gradient into the heart of Dinosaur National Monument, weaving and winding its way through thousands of years of geology, lush vegetation, and plenty of thrilling whitewater before joining the mighty Green River in Echo Park. Rounding out the trip are the breathtaking canyons of Whirpool and Split Mountain.

Sample Itinerary

Yampa River Boats Hands Up

One of the best parts of a river trip is the variability of options available. Factors such as the weather, assigned campsites, river conditions, and many other variables mean that every trip will (thankfully) be different. This sample itinerary illustrates one possible five-day trip down the Yampa River.

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Holiday River Expeditions
Average rating:  
 1 reviews
 by Gala S

Karen was wonderful! She was patient with all of my questions and did a great job of making me feel prepared to update our full group.

Absolutely amazing! Big kudos to this company-- I loved all of the little touches along the way and can't say enough about the amazing guides.