Category: Whitewater Rafting
River: San Miguel River
Duration: 3 Days
Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate
Age: 5+
Experience Overview
One of the last free flowing rivers in the USA!
Rapids: Class II-III+
Ages 5+
Come white water river rafting in Colorado, down the San Miguel River as it winds its way through alpine terrain near Telluride, Colorado and Trout Lake, in the shadows of 14,000 foot Mount Wilson in the San Juan Mountains to a desert confluence with the Dolores River, 80 miles to its north. With 3 Conservancy-protected preserves along its length, the San Miguel River white water rafting hosts scenic sandstone canyons and mysterious granite passages. These canyons create an incredible passage way for those river rafting in Colorado rapids.
Class II and III rapids along the Upper San Miguel provide challenging kayaking and rafting.
Sandstone canyons vie with granite passages for nature at its best. Some rare riverbank plant life thrives here and as you work your way toward the Dolores and lower elevations, the flora and fauna will change seemingly around each bend.
Included in your trip
- All boating equipment/life jackets/drinking water.
- All on-river meals (lunch day 1 through lunch last day).
- By arrangement prior to the trip, rain jacket with pants.
- Eating utensils, plates, complimentary Dvorak souvenir cup.
- Waterproof dry bags (3.3 cu.ft) for personal gear.
- Rain tarps for shelter in the kitchen area.
Your responsibilities
- Transportation to the arranged meeting point or put-in (see below)
- Pre and post meals and lodging near the arranged meeting point
- Personal clothing and other sundry items (see list below and in confirmation email)
- Possible shuttle of personal vehicle to take out locations. (Add during checkout and call afterwards to confirm)
Getting There
By Plane: There are several airlines with flights into Walker Field, Grand Junction, CO airport from a variety of connecting cities. Cortez, CO is served by United Express from Denver with three flights daily Sunday – Friday and two flights Saturday. It is best to book your air roundtrip from your home city rather than booking from Denver. Arrive in Cortez, CO the day prior to the trip. Dvorak Expeditions will pick you up at your motel on the morning of your trip and transport you to the river put-in point near Telluride, CO, about a one and one-half hour drive. After making your reservation, call to confirm shuttle times.
By Car: You will need to arrive in Placerville, CO (the junction of Hwy 62 and 145, which is the turn off to Telluride) the morning your trip begins. Camping is available in the Telluride Town Park or at various Recreation sites along the San Miguel River. Dvorak Expeditions will send you a map of the exact rendezvous site with your trip confirmation package. PLEASE CONFIRM ALL VEHICLE SHUTTLE ARRANGEMENTS PRIOR TO TRIP MEETING.
Equipment Rentals Available
Sleeping bags and pads, tents, wetsuits – we’ve got it all!
After you add your trip to your online cart here, you will be prompted to add Raft Trip Equipment Rentals. Choose your trip start date and time then choose your trip length.
River Trip Equipment List
Please limit your gear to 30 pounds in weight. The provided drybag is 3.3cu-ft. It should be able to be packed into a standard duffel bag. This list should cover everything for a safe, comfortable trip.
- Compact synthetic filled sleeping bag (not down) – rentals available
- Sleeping pad (backpack size) inflatable/insolite – rentals available
- Small backpack style tent w/ fly & ground sheet – rentals available
- Long john style wetsuit/boots for cold months* – rentals available
- Long pants (one light weight to block the sun & one warm wool or pile/fleece type*)
- Nylon shorts or swimsuit under wetsuit
- Long sleeved shirts (one warm*/one light weight)
- Non-cotton shirt or poly propylene top (fleece top)
- Warm jacket*, wind proof or Fleece, water resistant
- Pair of tennis shoes – tie on preferred or wet boots
- Wool socks will help keep feet warm in tennis shoes
- Sunglasses with loss protector/keeper (with UV protection)
- Sun block (over 5,000′ altitude – lots of UV exposure)
- Hat for sun protection (tie-on)
- Rain gear by request from DVK or bring your own – rentals available at no cost (add Splash Jacket when adding rentals)
- Small towel / biodegradable soap / shampoo / lotion etc.
- Flashlight and extra batteries with new bulb or head torch
- Bandana and a pair of lite gloves for sun protection
- Personal items kit (hygiene) medicines etc.
- Waterproof camera or a very good waterproof case
- EXTRA BEVERAGES – PLASTIC containers of liquor, BYO canned beer or soda. An adequate supply of soft drinks is provided. If you prefer diet drinks, please request them in advance. Complimentary wine is provided with evening meals.
- OPTIONAL ITEMS: Field glasses with waterproof protection, Journal notebook, book, pliers (for use in taking things from fire i.e. coffee, hot water, etc.), Day pack for side hikes & Extra Zip Lock Bags. Small travel pillow or use stuff sac with your extra clothing.
*Can be excluded during warmer weather
Gratuities
Gratuities are not included in your trip cost. While tipping is done at your discretion, tipping is one of the gauges we use in terms of customer satisfaction. If you are ever not satisfied, please let us know so that we can adjust our expeditions in the future.
Quick Details
Category: Whitewater Rafting
River: San Miguel River
Duration: 3 Days
Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate
Age: 5+