Colorado River Itinerary 3-Day Trip
Colorado River 3-day Canoe Trips
- Day 1: Meet your guide staff at the designated put-in in Loma, CO, just west of Grand Junction and start packing your dry bags and loading the gear in the canoes.
- Run a car shuttle to the Westwater take-out (lot managed by a BLM Ranger) and then return to the Loma put-in via the Centennial Canoe shuttle vehicle. The guides will demonstrate paddling instructions and safety procedures before launching. Shortly after launching, you will begin paddling past the towering red sandstone walls of Horsethief Canyon.
- Paddle downriver until approximately noon and enjoy lunch on the river’s edge maybe catching a glimpse of an eagle or a desert sheep.
- After lunch, continue paddling and having water fights (optional) until roughly 3 p.m. and make camp along the river. This entire river section requires a permit to camp. Campsites are reserved through the Grand Junction, BLM office. Centennial groups have reserved specific campsites and are established prior to your trip.
- Late afternoon on the first day is devoted to setting up your tent and possibly taking a short hike, relaxing, playing, or floating in the river.
- Happy Hour begins at 5:30 p.m. where hors d'oeuvres and wine will be served.
- Dinner is served around 7 p.m. followed by campfire activities that may include games, singing, western tall tales, or guitar playing.
- Day 2: On the second day you'll move downriver to your second reserved campsite. There should be ample time for hiking and relaxing in camp. Many times lunches will be packed for the hike where you can explore multi-million year old canyons. Factors that influence group movement are weather, pace of the group, etc.
- Day 3: You will break down camp after a hearty breakfast and paddle through the majestic Ruby Canyon and Black Rocks known to have 2 billion year old rock formations and a small rapid (Class I).
- You typically reach the Westwater Ranger Station take-out between 2-4 p.m. after lunch on the last day. It takes about an hour to unload your gear and then you're on your way home. SPECIAL NOTE: Please ensure your name is on your gear and take inventory before heading home.
