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The Deal
- $52 for a half-day Snake River whitewater rafting trip for one with cookout ($89 value)
Trip Includes:
- 4–4.5 hour river excursion (door to door)
- Transportation to and from the river
- Lunch cookout: Dutch oven chili, cornbread, corn-on-the-cob, pasta salad, Dutch oven cobbler, water, lemonade, hot tea, hot chocolate. Vegetarian option may be accommodated with advance notice.
This classic Snake River trip lets guests enjoy a few hours on the river, and includes a stop for lunch halfway through the trip at Mad River’s riverside camp, where guests can bring a book, relax, or play some games. The raft used is an AIRE inflatable, self-bailing, 15’6” raft; this is an 8-man raft with six paddling positions and two non-paddling positions.
Mad River Boat Trips
We spoke with KC Bess—operations manager and river guide for Mad River Boat Trips—about what to expect on your trip and why you want to get splashed.
On the Snake River
"It's a great river for your first trip," says KC. The relatively high volume of water and the lack of rocks mean that the runs are straightforward—and exciting. Tall, clean waves are common, and the rapids are "kind of like riding a roller coaster while getting buckets of water dumped on you."
On braving whitewater rapids
If passengers are a bit apprehensive about the rapids, KC suggests sitting near the guide at the back of the raft, where the ride is a bit more gentle. Once people are comfortable, he usually encourages them to move up a bit — where they can enjoy the thrill of hitting the waves. "Sit up front. Go all the way and have fun with your first time," he says. "It's worth it."
On nature
Every trip is different, but KC always likes getting out onto the water, experiencing how intricately connected the natural world is. "It's fascinating how it all works together," he says. He keeps an eye out for ospreys, eagerly explaining how the birds are the perfect hunters: hovering above the river, plunging five feet beneath the water, and then emerging with a fish dangling between their talons.
On bringing the whole family
Most of the whitewater trips are suitable for children as young as 6, and KC loves when parents bring kids along. Younger passengers tend to relish the adventure almost more than the adults; but, more importantly, KC sees whitewater runs as an immersive way to introduce children to the natural world. "Kids don't get that kind of experience very often," he says.