What to Pack for a Multi-Day Rafting Trip

Going on a multi-day rafting trip is a great way to experience the outdoors. In fact, with rafting expertise and local knowledge on their sides, guided trips offer the perfect balance between comfort and adventure.

When you book a multi-day rafting trip with Echo Canyon River Expeditions, you can rest assured we will have all the necessary logistics handled. Even more, we provide many important provisions like food and camping gear. While your guides will set up camp and cook every night, you will be largely responsible for your own overnight float trip packing list.

Essential Gear Provided By Echo

Your guides will provide river trip essentials like rafts, tents, and cookware, there are a number of things that guests must bring themselves. In fact, this overnight float trip packing list often makes all the difference for ensuring a comfortable trip.

Personal Floatation Device (PFD) and helmet
Wet suit: 3 mm wetsuits are provided to each multi-day rafting guest. Our wetsuits are sleeveless for paddling mobility reasons, and we have suits that extend down to the ankle or suits that stop just above the knee. You can decide at check-in which option is best for you.
Splash jacket: Similar to a technical wind breaker, splash jackets protect you from the initial splash from waves, but you’ll still want a synthetic layer underneath on cool days.
River shoes: A dedicated pair of river shoes is critical for any whitewater adventure. Our river shoes are similar to high top sneakers, so they’ll rise up to cover your ankles.
Sleeping bag and sleeping pad: Our sleeping bags are rated for the cool nights we may experience at close to 8,000 feet in elevation. Each bag includes a liner that is washed after each use. Our sleeping pads are thick and cushy, evening out inconsistencies of the ground.
Tents: Tents are double occupancy and include a rain fly.
Dry bag: Most of our multi-day trips don’t require use of dry bag. But for those trips that do require them, we’ve got you covered.

Clothes for Diverse Conditions

Especially in mountainous regions like Colorado, the weather conditions in river basins can change very quickly. While bright, sunny days are always ideal for multi-day rafting trips, it’s tough to avoid rain sometimes. To ensure your safety and comfort on the river and in camp, it’s best to pack clothes for diverse conditions.

On-River Clothes

Synthetic shirt: You’ll want a long sleeve and/or short sleeve synthetic shirt to wear on the river. This serves as sun protection on hot, sunny days, and it provides a layer of warmth under your splash jacket on cooler days.
Synthetic undergarments, swim suit, quick dry shorts: On hot days most people wear a pair of quick dry shorts in addition to their synthetic shirt. Prepare for both hot and cold days!
Brimmed cap: A baseball cap or visor is recommended for those guests with sensitive eyes or for extra sun protection on your face. You’ll probably also want a sun protecting hat for in-camp.

Off-River Camp Clothes

Rain gear: Always plan for rain just in case. Bring along a rain shell for camp. This doubles as a nice layer in case it’s windy or just cooler than expected.
Comfortable clothes for camp: This includes an insulating layer like a puffy jacket or sweatshirt, long pants, a pair of shorts, a long sleeved shirt, short sleeved shirt, undergarments, socks and shoes, sandals.
Sleeping clothes: Experienced campers know it’s important to have a set of cloths just for sleeping. This ensures you always have warm, dry clothes to keep you cozy in your sleeping bag. Most people bring comfortable pants, an extra pair of socks, long sleeve shirt, and a beanie for cool nights.

Personal Items

The goal of any multi-day rafting trip is to have as much fun as possible. That being said, Echo Canyon also encourages our guests to bring those little extra things that make life more enjoyable. One person might bring a good book, while another simply can’t go without a comfortable camping pillow.

When it comes to personal items like toiletries and snacks, you can pack for a multi-day rafting trip much like if you were going camping.

Re-fillable water bottle: Bringing your own dedicated water bottle is the best way to ensure you have all the water you need to drink on your river trip.
Headlamp or flashlight
Personal toiletries: In addition to the standard toothbrush and toothpaste, a lot of guests think ahead and bring soap, a small towel, and body wipes.
Sunglasses with retaining strap
Sunscreen: No matter what time of year you are going rafting, sunscreen is essential. Most raft guides recommend stronger protection like SPF 50.
Insect repellent
Prescription medications if necessary – and be sure to let your guides know!
Snacks: If you have dietary restrictions or can’t live without a particular food, it might not be a bad idea to bring some of your own snacks.

Contact Echo Canyon

At Echo Canyon River Expeditions, we take great pride in providing our guests with fun and comfortable rafting vacations. Please Contact Us with additional questions about float trip essentials or multi-day river outings.