Gunnison Gorge NCA Overnight

2021 overnight river trip dates

We offer overnight river trips in the Gunnison Gorge NCA every day May through October. These trips must be booked at least 14 days in advance to guarantee availability. Please call to discuss your custom itinerary (970) 872-2352

booking policy

A $300 non-refundable down payment is due at time of booking. Full payment is due 60 days prior to your trip’s launch date.

• cancellations made 28 days or more before your trip launch date receive a full refund minus $300 down payment.

• Cancellations made 15-27 from trip launch date receive a trip credit good for 1 year, minus $300 down payment.

• No refund or credit will be given for cancellations made within 14 days of your trip launch date

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: 10:00 am - Meet your guides at Western Slope SUP, 328 W Bridge street in downtown Hotchkiss. We will pack dry bags, go over a brief orientation, and take a 10-minute van ride to the river. Our day begins with instruction. Before launching, our professional instructors will teach a short course in basic SUP and river running skills. This course begins on land and covers everything from maneuvering a paddle board, to moving in and out of river currents. Once on the water, your guide will be by your side, coaching you through the calm waters, and small waves of the Gunnison River. This first river session will focus on SUP technique, and reading the river, as you learn to stand through beginner river features.

After an hour of river running, we arrive at camp, situated river-side at the most inviting swimming hole on the Gunnison. Your guides will dish up a gourmet lunch, which you can enjoy in the comfort of your camp chair. As you settle in, your guides will set up camp, and assist you with tent set-up. The afternoon will be filled with swimming, games, and relaxing on the banks of the river. Snacks and refreshments will be available throughout the day. An optional side hike from camp reveals exciting rock formations, an array of native plants, and narrow canyon passages. In the evening your guides will set up happy hour (Wine and Dine option) and begin cooking a delicious, hearty dinner. We share stories and games, as we watch the sun set beneath the deep red and gold canyon walls of the Gunnison Gorge NCA. Dinner will be served beside the campfire. After dessert, the real show begins as millions of stars come into view like you have never seen them before.

Day 2: Awake to the singing of the canyon wren and the aroma of fresh coffee. After a farm fresh breakfast, we will begin a day of river fun, and archeological adventure. In a calm pool, your guide will instruct a stand up paddle lesson that builds on the skills you learned yesterday. We ride the river about an hour before landing at Eagle Rock Beach. Here you will discover the oldest archaeological site in Colorado: 13,000 year old human inhabitation, Eagle Rock Shelter. Your guide will share the exciting history of the site, as well as interpret its petroglyphs, and artifacts. We will have an opportunity to take a short nature hike up Lawhead Gulch, to see how the inhabitants of Eagle Rock Shelter lived. Lunch will be served back at the beach. Now you are ready tackle the final stretch of the Gunnison Gorge NCA. By this point your stand up paddle skills will be much progressed. You will be confidently standing through the small waves and river features we encounter. We reach our take-out point around 2:00 pm, and take a 20-minute van ride back to Hotchkiss where your Gunnison Gorge adventure concludes.

What We Provide

All equipment included, no additional rental fees

• SUP board, kayak, or raft, paddle, and PFD (we use extra stable, river specific stand up paddle boards)

• Spacious 3-person tent (sleeps 2 people)

• Clean sleeping bag

• Luxurious 3” thick sleeping pad (AIRE Landing Pad)

• Pillow and laundered pillow case

• Camp chair

• Portable toilet system with privacy tent

• 110-liter personal dry bag

• All meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 2, ice water, and lemonade

• Organic, farm fresh meals locally sourced from the North Fork Valley (Wine and Dine option)

• Daily happy hour wine tasting, and wine with dinner. We select only the finest North Fork Valley wines (Wine and Dine option)

• Full kitchen, all utensils

• Comprehensive first aid kit

• 1-3 experienced river guides

• Transportation to and from Hotchkiss, Colorado

what you should bring

Personal clothing

• Swimsuit

• Quick-dry shorts + shirts (long sleeves recommended for sun protection)

• Water sandals with strap

• Hiking boots

• Long underwear

• Sweater or jacket

• Sun hat

• Rain gear

Personal items

• Water bottle with clip

• Flashlight or headlamp

• Sunglasses with strap

• Bandana/Buff

• Insect repellent

• Small towel and toiletries

• Medication

• Large zip lock bags for wet gear

• Sunscreen/lip balm

• Moisturizer/skin lotion

• Biodegradable camp soap

Optional Gear

• Waterproof camera

• Small day pack

• Book/Journal

FAQ

WHAT IS THE DIFFICULTY LEVEL?

Rivers are rated on a difficulty scale of class I (beginner) to class IV (expert) The Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area is calm, with beginner river features no larger than class II, making this the perfect river for beginner stand up paddle boarders. SUP instruction is ongoing throughout the trip. Within your first hour on the water you will be a confident stand up paddle enthusiast!

IS THIS TRIP APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES?

Short Answer: Ages 6+ to ride along in raft or tandem kayak, 10+ to SUP

We will be on the river up to 3 hours each day. Young children may have trouble handling the physical and mental demands of riding their own paddle board. We find most children ages 10 and up are able to handle these demands. We are able to accommodate children as young as 6 years old as passengers in a tandem kayak, or raft.

ARE THERE ANY FITNESS REQUIREMENTS?

Participants who would like to SUP must be able to stand, sit, or kneel on your board up to 3 hours each day. Stand up paddle is a solo activity. Your instructor will be right there with you the whole time; however no one can paddle your board but you! We move down river at a leisurely pace, participants of average fitness will have no problem keeping up with the group.

Those who do not wish to SUP can join this trip in a kayak or raft. There are no fitness requirements for rafters.

WHERE DO WE SLEEP?

We will camp beside the river. We provide a spacious 3-person tent, which will be shared by 2 people. You will share your tent with 1 other person from your party. You may also choose to sleep out under the stars. Full sleeping kit including sleeping bag, pillow, and 3” thick sleeping pad are provided.

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

All SUP and camping equipment, guides and transportation are included, there are no additional rental fees. You are only responsible for bringing personal items. Here is a comprehensive list of what we provide:

• SUP board, kayak, or raft, paddle, and PFD (extra stable, river specific stand up paddle board)

• Spacious 3-person tent (sleeps 2 people)

• Clean sleeping bag

• Luxurious 3” thick sleeping pad (AIRE Landing Pad)

• Pillow and laundered pillow case

• Camp chair

• Portable toilet system with privacy tent

• 110-liter personal dry bag

• All meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 2, ice water, and lemonade

• Organic, farm fresh meals locally sourced from the North Fork Valley (Wine and Dine option)

• Daily happy hour wine tasting, and wine with dinner. We select only the finest North Fork Valley wines (Wine and Dine option)

• Full kitchen, all utensils

• Comprehensive first aid kit

• 2-3 expert stand up paddle guides

• Transportation to and from Hotchkiss, Colorado

WHAT ARE THE GROUP SIZES?

Our minimum booking criteria is 4 guests. Trips can range in size from 4 to 21 participants plus 1-3 guides

HOW LONG ARE WE ON THE RIVER EACH DAY?

Short Answer; 1-3 hours

Our first day is a short introduction to river SUP. After instruction, our first camp is only 1 hour down river. Our second day will likely be 3 hours on-river, plus a stop for lunch and optional archaeology hike.

You will not be actively paddling the whole time we are on the river. Most of the time you will be standing on your board, gazing at canyon scenery, or chatting with friends and family. It is also perfectly appropriate to sit, kneel, or swim beside your paddle board while we are on the river.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO?

The Gunnison Gorge NCA is boatable year-round, through the most pleasant months are late May though September. Here is a typical season:

• May - Warming days, cool nights

• June - Warm days, cool nights. Spring run-off lasts from late May to late June. This means high water on the Gunnison River. This is the best time of year for rafting!

• July - Hot days, temperate nights. Possible afternoon showers.

• August - Hot days, cool nights

• September - Moderate day time temperatures, cool nights. Dry weather

WHAT ABOUT PERSONAl hyGENE?

You will have the opportunity to swim and bathe in the river each day. We recommend bringing biodegradable camp soap to lather down. We provide multiple hand washing stations at camp.

DO WE HAVE TO CARRY OUR OWN GEAR?

Short Answer: No

Our baggage raft will carry all camp and personal gear. You are not required to carry anything on your SUP. However you will not have access to the baggage boat during the day. Therefore we recommend bringing a small day pack, and a water bottle that can be clipped onto your paddle board. Possible items you may want in your day pack include:

• Fleece/windbreaker

• Water bottle

• Sunscreen

• Insect repellent

• Medication

ARE DOGS ALLOWED?

No dogs are allowed on this trip.

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