| Watersheds: The Confluence of People and Water in the Desert
CFI is a licensed river outfitter in Utah and Colorado with special use permits issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). We are members of Utah Guides and Outfitters Association.
Our river programs allow students to enjoy the pleasures and challenges of a river expedition in the wild, remote and beautiful canyon country of the desert southwest. During the journey students are introduced to the connections that link humans and the river environment and the importance of caring for natural systems. Activities include science and history investigations, role playing, desert and river stories, journaling, reflection, adventure and fun. Our river guides are licensed and strong teachers and naturalists.
Options include paddle or oar-powered rafts for most trips; we use canoes for Labyrinth Canyon on the Green River. Starting the first week of June and through September when temperatures are warmer we add several inflatable kayaks to the raft trips.
Some stretches of river have LIMITED access with assigned launch dates by the BLM. Other stretches have more flexibility in dates. Our multiday trips are two to to six nights (we do not do overnight river trips due to logistical expense and desired time for teaching and student involvement.) Fees include the SHUTTLE SERVICE (we shuttle two of your school vehicles to the takeout, additional vehicles at $50-100 each OR we hire a bus to pick you up and return you to the starting point). Also included in the fees are all meals, insurance, government fees except where special additional per person fees noted, all river gear including river bags for personal gear. As a not-for-profit organization, we add no additional taxes to your fees. You provide tents, sleeping gear or you can rent these from CFI.
Trips start at the launch point at 10:30 Day 1; we reach takeout at 2:00 pm on the last day. Shuttle arrangements vary by location and may be on first day or last day.
School River Trip Lengths
2 Nights • 3 Nights • 4 Nights • 5 Nights • 6 Nights
See SINGLE DAY OUTINGS page for 1 Day River Trips
RIVER TRIP FEES are based on a 12 student minimum and are current for 2010
ONE Chaperone is free once the minimum is met. We request at least two chaperones per group for elementary through high school groups, one for college groups. See specific river stretch for maximum group size (includes chaperones) as per BLM regulations. Some rivers have additional BLM special per person fees as noted below.
- Colorado River*
Middle, high school and college.
Cisco or Dewey, UT to Professor Valley, UT
Class I-II water, wildlife, hike, geology and rapids last day.
Group Size: 12-25 - $330/person
Group Size: 26-40 - $300/person
Group Size Limit: 40 persons from school.
Note: Launch and takeout sites depends on water level.
- Colorado River
Horsethief and Ruby Canyons through McGinnis Canyons National Recreation Area.
Loma, CO to Westwater Ranger Station, UT
Class I-II water, wildlife, Precambrian geology, hikes, rock art site, water issues.
Group Size: 12-25 - $390/person
Group Size Limit: 25 persons from school.
Note: Nearby GRAND JUNCTION has major airport and Amtrak station.
- San Juan River*
Middle, high school and college.
Bluff, UT to Mexican Hat, UT
Class II water, world famous archeological rock art panels and Indian ruin sites, dramatic geology, fossils, hikes, wildlife, water issues.
Group Size: 12-25 - $390/person plus $6 BLM fee/person
Group Size Limit: 25 persons from school.
Note: This stretch is best done as 3 nights to allow time for extensive cultural/geology side hikes, study activtities, student involvement.
- Dolores River - LIMITED ASSIGNED LAUNCH DATES
Middle school.
Bradfield to Dove Creek, CO "PONDEROSA GORGE"
Class I-II water, pine forest to desert slickrock, wildlife, archeology, geology, water issues.
Group Size: 12-20 - $390/person
Group Size Limit: 20 persons from school.
Note: Spring only. Trips depend on snowpack and dam release.
- Dolores River - LIMITED ASSIGNED LAUNCH DATES
High school and college.
Bradfield to Slickrock, CO
Class I-II water Bradfield to Dove Creek; beyond Dove Creek includes Class III-IV whitewater with Snaggletooth Rapid.
Pine forest to desert slickrock, wildlife, archeology, geology, water issues.
Group Size: 12-20 - $390/person
Group Size Limit: 20 persons from school.
Note: Spring only. Trips depend on snowpack and dam release.
- Dolores River
High school and college.
GATEWAY CANYON
Gateway, CO to Dewey, UT near Moab
Class I-IV water.
Group Size: 12-20 - $390/person
Group Size Limit: 20 persons from school.
- San Juan River* - LIMITED ASSIGNED LAUNCH DATES
Middle, high school and college
Bluff, UT to Mexican Hat, UT
Class II water, world famous archeological rock art panels and Indian ruin sites, dramatic geology, fossils, hikes, wildlife, water issues.
Group Size: 12-25 - $470/person plus $6 BLM fee/person
Group Size Limit: 25 persons from school.
- Colorado River* - LIMITED ASSIGNED LAUNCH DATES
High school and college.
Loma, CO to Cisco, UT including
HORSETHIEF, RUBY AND WESTWATER CANYONS,
proposed Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River.
Class I-IV water.
Group Size: 12-25 - $470/person plus $7 BLM fee/person
Group Size Limit: 25 persons from school.
Note: This stretch can be done in 2 nights but is best in 3 nights to allow for studies, hiking, student involvement.
- Colorado River* - LIMITED ASSIGNED LAUNCH DATES
High school and college.
Loma, CO to Professor Valley UT including
HORSETHIEF, RUBY AND WESTWATER CANYONS,
proposed Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River.
Class I-IV water, scenic wildlife floats and with more time for studies and hikes.
Group Size: 12-25 - $600/person plus $7 BLM fee/person
Group Size Limit: 25 persons from school.
- Dolores River - LIMITED ASSIGNED LAUNCH DATES
Middle, high school and college.
SLICKROCK CANYON
Slickrock, CO to Bedrock, CO
Class I-II water, mild water, small rapids.
Wilderness Study Area, stunning sheer walled canyon, riparian ecology, archeology.
Group Size: 12-13 - $600/person
Group Size Limit: 13 persons from school.
Note: Late April, May early June depending on water year.
- SAN JUAN RIVER - LIMITED ASSIGNED LAUNCH DATES
Middle and high school.
Lower Canyon Mexican Hat to Clay Hills, UT
Class I-III water, remote and wild in nature, wildlife, famous "Goosenecks" stretch in deep canyons, geology, fossils, side hikes.
Group Size: 12-25 - $600/person plus $12 BLM fee/person
Group Size Limit: 25 persons from school.
- CANOE TRIP
Middle and high school.
Labyrinth Canyon on the Green River.
Green River/Crystal Geyser to Mineral Bottom, UT
Group Size: 12-16 - $630/person
Group Size Limit: 16 persons from school.
- SAN JUAN RIVER - LIMITED ASSIGNED LAUNCH DATES
Middle and high school.
Lower Canyon Mexican Hat to Clay Hills, UT
Class I-III water, remote and wild in nature, wildlife, famous "Goosenecks" stretch in deep canyons, geology, fossils, side hikes.
Group Size: 12-25 - $675/person plus $12 BLM fee/person
Group Size Limit: 25 persons from school.
- CANOE TRIP
Middle and high school.
Labyrinth Canyon on the Green River.
Green River/Crystal Geyser to Mineral Bottom, UT
Group Size: 12-16 - $750/person
Group Size Limit: 16 persons from school.
- San Juan River
Bluff to Clay Hills (upper and lower canyons)
This is a stellar trip that allows your group to truly explore both canyons with plenty of time for side hikes and study activities.
Group Size: 12-25 - $750/person plus $18 BLM fee/person
Group Size Limit: 25 persons from school.
- GREEN RIVER - LIMITED ASSIGNED LAUNCH DATES
Offered with Sheri Griffith River Expeditions of Moab, UT
Desolation - Gray Canyons
Group Size: 12-25
Group Size Limit: 25 persons from school.
Fees run approximately $140-$160/day per person depending on date and shuttle arrangements.
Call to discuss and for us to obtain current pricing and government fees.
- COLORADO RIVER - LIMITED ASSIGNED LAUNCH DATES
Offered with Sheri Griffith River Expeditions of Moab, UT
Cataract Canyons
Group Size: 12-40
Group Size Limit: 40 persons from school.
Fees run approximately $140-$160/day per person depending on date and shuttle arrangements.
Call to discuss and for us to obtain current pricing and government fees.
*Note: River trips on the San Juan River & Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River are subject to a Special Area Fee from the Bureau of Land Management. The fee will be added to the price of your trip when you receive your invoice, and applies to all chaperones and students.
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