How to Pack for a Colorado River Camping Trip

So you’re interested in spending a night on the river with just you and your family, well that’s wonderful. Fortunately for you, we have all the necessary gear needed for a successful overnight river trip for rent, making it super easy for you to get on the river. Below you will find some suggested gear to help ensure a safe and fun river trip.

Sleeping Bag

It can get chilly on the river at night, with temperatures dropping between 35 and 45 degrees. A proper sleeping bag can ensure a goodnight’s rest, so you’re ready to paddle the next day.

Swimsuit

Your wetsuit is insulated, so you don’t want to wear anything underneath it that will hinder the insulation from doing its job. Swimsuits, as well as a synthetic-poly material shirt, such as Under Armour, work well underneath the wetsuit. The synthetic top is not a necessity, but it is recommended by us here at AVA.

 Shoes

Surrounded by water, you’ll want to wear shoes that you don’t mind getting wet.      While it is ultimately up to you what you wear on your feet, we do not recommend  crocs or sandals. You will want shoes that are secure on your feet, such as  Chaco’s, Teva’s, water shoes, or even an old pair of sneakers that you do yard  work in. A second pair of shoes, something comfy to wear around camp, is always  nice as well.

Warm Clothing

After you get out of the water,  you’re going to want to get out of that wet apparel  you’ve got on. Colorado nights can get chilly, even in the summer. Stay  comfortable and bring a sweatshirt, a pair of pants, and a t-shirt. There aren’t  many bugs out here so you won’t have to worry about mosquitoes so if you want to wear shorts, let those legs breath. To ensure that they stay dry, pick up a dry bag, or dry box.

Personal Items

Go ahead and bring some toiletries, such as a toothbrush and toothpaste. If you take medication for any purpose, you’ll definitely want you to bring those along in order for you to stay ready to raft!

These are the items that come highly recommended to bring with on your trip. On your reservation confirmation, you’ll find a recommended gear list that goes a little more in depth. Don’t be afraid to bring your favorite sunglasses as long as you have croakies (straps), available at our outpost, to keep them on your head. Other items such as sunscreen and GoPro’s are on there as well, so be sure to read over it before your trip. The better prepared you are, the more fun you will have!