River rafting is a great get away for yourself, your significant other or your entire family. It is the adventure of a lifetime in the great outdoors! If you decide to go on a river rafting adventure, here are some essential items to pack for the ultimate and rouge experience!
Clothing List
It is incredibly important that you bring the proper clothing for river rafting. While it seem simple, you should always prepare for different weather when adventuring in the great outdoors. Here is a list of essentials that will keep you ready for any weather, rain or shine:
- Rain Suit
- Wet Suit
- Socks
- Hiking Boots
- River Sandals or Water Shoes(shoes that can get wet)
- Bathing Suit
- Sun Hat or Baseball Hat (for sun protection)
- Shorts (quick dry is suggested)
- Fleece Jacket
- Long Johns
- Long Pants
- Long Sleeve Shirts (quick dry is suggested)
The proper gear is key to a river rafting adventure. You want to be sure you are equipped with everything you need for any situation. Here is a list of essential gear needed for your river rafting adventure:
- Water Bottle
- Flashlight and or Headlight
- Lighter or Matches
- Large Zip Lock Bags for Valuables and Wet Gear
- Sunglasses (with a strap)
- Gloves For Paddling
- Sunblock
- Moisturizer
- Sleeping Bag
- Blanket
- Pillow
- Tent
- Towels
- Toilet Paper and other Toiletries
- Wet Wipes
- Body Wash
- Bug Repellent
- Medications
Optional List
While there are many things for a river rafting trip that keep you prepared, there are some more leisure items to consider for your adventure:
- Beer/Wine/Liquor
- Snorkeling Gear and Goggles
- Binoculars
- Playing Cards
- Musical Instrument
- Camping Hammock
- Fishing Equipment and License
- Dramamine (If you are prone to motion sickness)
Leave Home List
Clearly you will need a lot of items to ensure your trip is ready for any situation, but it is important to leave a few things at home. Especially if you don’t want to replace them. Here is a list of items you may want to consider leaving at home on this vacation:
- Electronics of any kind (Cell phones, Ipods, Ipads, computers etc.)
- Expensive and or Sentimental Jewelry
- Expensive Eye Wear (Be sure to wear old glasses as they can be swept away in a second)
Whether you are going on a weekend trip, or a month long excursion it is imperative to be prepared for any situation. When you are in the wilderness, the weather can change in an instant. You also want to make sure you are as comfortable as possible, so that is why coming over prepared can come in handy. Further, there is necessary gear that you will need when you are going on a river rafting vacation. Be sure to pack this gear so you can spend more time enjoying your trip and less time worrying about being comfortable. Lastly, this is after all a vacation, so be sure to enjoy some leisure activities as well like huddling around a camp fire with an instrument, or any other way to relax. Lastly, don’t bring electronics and other valuables you don’t want to loose in the great outdoors.
This article, Colorado’s top vacation destinations this summer, was written by Ryan Thomas for Rocky Mountain Whitewater Rafting. Rocky Mountain Whitewater Rafting has guided thousands of whitewater rafting trips on Clear Creek and throughout Colorado.