Will there be enough water to go on a rafting trip this summer?
Why choose Imperial River Company for my rafting trip?
We run the best all day rafting trip on the Deschutes River…no doubt about it. No crowds! Private launches on our OWN PROPERTY where a lodge, restaurant and bar are waiting for your relaxation and enjoyment. No parking on the street just to meet in a parking lot and be shuttled to the river. At Imperial, you check in in the heart of our riverfront property and enjoy our spacious lawn until your launch time. Did we mention that we are right on the Deschutes river?
Plus, our very experienced Oregon river guides know how to run the Deschutes River and have a lot of fun, but most importantly are safe while doing it. They choose to live their summer on the river and look forward to spending the day with you. (They also look forward to telling you a few of their stories and bad jokes, too.) But, seriously….they are very well trained and most importantly respect the water. They take simple precautions to make sure you have a terrific day and stay safe doing it.
We’ll always judge your skill level and desired aggressiveness on the river and take the appropriate path on the river to ensure 2 things: success and enjoyment. Every single river trip is different from the last. Our guides make sure the trip you receive is the trip you want.
What should I bring with me to Maupin, Oregon?
What to bring on day rafting trips:
- Swimsuit and/or shorts and t-shirt
- Long sleeve shirt & pants if you burn easily
- Windbreaker or rain gear (if the weather forecast isn’t ideal-most of the time it is perfect!)
- Tennis shoes or river sandals
- Hat for sun protection
- Sunglasses with a strap
- Sunscreen
- Towel and change of clothes for the trip home
- Extra pair of prescription glasses or contacts (just in case…)
For overnight rafting trips and camping bring the day trip list and:
- Long pants and long sleeve shirts
- Tennis shoes or hiking boots
- Lip balm
- Hand cream
- Insect repellent
- Wash cloth/towel/soap
- Personal hygiene items
- Disposable waterproof camera
- Flashlight or headlamp
What should I bring with me on the river?
There are two general rules of thumb:
- Don’t take anything with you that you wouldn’t take into the shower.
- If you take it with you and it must come back, it should be attached.
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You will get soaked, so will your camera, wallet, and everything else. You shouldn’t bring a favorite hat or sunglasses along, unless they have a strap on them. It is a good idea to bring a bottle of water and some sunscreen. Your guide will have a dry bag on your boat. They can stow emergency items like EpiPens and inhalers. And don’t worry if you forget something! We have straps, chums, sunscreen and more available for purchase.
Will I get wet on my rafting trip?
Yes you will. It’s whitewater rafting, not canoeing. You should plan on getting wet, because you will! And you’ll love it. (You’ll thank us later…..)
What do I do with my towel and change of clothes?
Leave them in your vehicle so they are dry when you get back.
Will I fall out of the boat?
Your chances of falling out of the boat unintentionally are very small. Most people who fall out aren’t paying attention, or they think it’s time to go for a swim.
Are there times that we can swim in the river?
There are some beautiful stretches of flat water that are perfect for hopping out of the boat to cool off from the summer sun.
What do we do if it rains?
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We go rafting in it. You are going to get wet anyway, so what is the concern?
When is the best time to come rafting?
Any day! However, most people come out in July and August. So if you want a little more solitude, we recommend June, September and during the week anytime. The weather is always great, and you get the river all to yourself.
Can I bring my dog?
Nope. We don’t think that’s a very good idea. Please leave the pets at home.
Do you provide life jackets?
Of course! We provide Class IV/V Coast Guard approved life jackets that we wear all of the time that we are near the water.
Do you provide drinking water?
We do not provide a water bottle for you on the boat. On our all day trip, we do provide drinking water at Sandy Beach when we are doing our portage to Buck Hollow.
Do you have multi-day/overnight rafting trips?
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We are permitted to run the lower 98 miles of the Deschutes River. This allows us to run 2 and 3 day overnight rafting voyages that are spectacular.
Do we have to paddle back upriver?
Nope, a shuttle bus will bring you back. The only exception is when your paddle captain skillfully guides your boat back through an eddy so that you can hit Boxcar one more time. You’ll love it!
What if the boat sinks?
We run self bailing Maravia inflatable rafts that are totally unsinkable. The boat is made of at least four separate chambers so that if one section has a leak, the others stay fully inflated. You have no worries here at all.
How old do you have to be to go on a rafting trip?
We recommend a child be 6 years old, and weigh at least 50 pounds.
Is my guide qualified?
All of our guides have gone through an extensive training program so that they can give you a great day on the water. They are certified in CPR and First Aid procedures. Most of our guides come back year after year because they love taking people like you out for a day of fun.
