GRAND JUNCTION RAFTING FIELD GUIDE
Paddle, Picnic, and Play: An 11‑Mile Full‑Day Float on the Colorado River
A roughly six‑hour, beginner‑friendly rafting trip near Grand Junction that covers an 11‑mile downstream float with a picnic‑style lunch and options for rafts or inflatable kayaks.
Paddle, Picnic, and Play: An 11‑Mile Full‑Day Float on the Colorado River.
Splash into the Colorado River for a scenic, family‑friendly full‑day rafting trip run by Colorado River Guides. This outing mixes easy, splashy Class I–II+ water with wide canyon scenery and a picnic‑style lunch, and it’s designed for beginners and children from age three upward.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Beginner‑Friendly Whitewater and Playful Rapids
This trip runs on mild, splashy Class I–II+ water over an approximately 11‑mile float, making it suitable for first‑time rafters and families with young children.
A Picnic‑Style Grazing Lunch
The full‑day itinerary includes a light, picnic‑style lunch featuring an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, sliced meats and cheeses, dips with crackers or pita/naan, cookies, and extra water or sparkling water; guides provide a cooler and space if you bring specialty food or have strict dietary needs.
Shuttle Up‑River, Raft Back to Your Vehicle
Guests are met on the river and transported upriver in operator vehicles for a downstream float back to the parked vehicles — a straightforward shuttle that leaves more time for paddling and scenery.
What the day feels like
What the Day Feels Like
Expect a measured, social day on the water: meet on the river, ride upriver with the crew, then ease into an 11‑mile downstream float with playful rapids, frequent scenery changes, and a leisurely picnic lunch onshore before completing the trip back at your vehicle.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and when to reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The full‑day float lasts roughly six hours and covers about 11 miles of river; arrival time and detailed driving directions are provided after booking.
Wear quick‑dry shorts, a T‑shirt, a bathing suit, a hat, and shoes that stay on when wet.
Bring sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, snacks or personal food if you prefer, and a camera (dry storage is available on most boats).
Guides provide a grazing‑style lunch and extra water; they also supply a cooler and hand sanitizer and can accommodate personal food for strict dietary needs if notified at booking.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Where do we meet the guide?
You meet right on the river; after booking you’ll receive a separate email with detailed driving directions and the exact arrival time.
How long is the trip?
The full‑day Colorado River trip is approximately six hours long.
Is lunch provided?
Yes — a light picnic‑style lunch with fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, dips, crackers or pita/naan, cookies, and extra water or sparkling water is typically provided; you may also bring your own food and guides will make space in the cooler.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?
Guides can accommodate specialty diets if you notify them during booking; if you have severe allergies, inform the operator so the guide can plan accordingly.
Is there dry storage for cameras and phones?
Dry storage is available on most boats for cameras and personal items.
How are guests transported to the put‑in?
The operator drives guests upriver in vehicles — generally about 10+ miles on full‑day trips — and then guests raft back to their parked vehicles.