Family Rafting Tips

Plan now, relax on the water later

If you have children you are wanting to bring, do remember:

1) This is a public river, meaning that there will be other people on the river enjoying themselves.

2) If you are looking to avoid more rambunctious crowds, try to avoid Saturdays in July and August from Knights Ferry to Orange Blossom.  If you have to go on a Saturday, opt for the Orange Blossom to Oakdale trip, where there are smaller crowds that tend to be looking for a more calm and relaxing rafting experience.

3) If you have to go on a weekend in July or August, and want to go on the Knights Ferry to Orange Blossom trip, we recommend getting there between 9AM and 10AM.  The later you wait in the day to check in, the more people are going to show up at the river.  The more party-centric groups tend to check in at 11AM, so if you want to avoid these groups, please try to check-in earlier.  Early check in times also ensure that the picnic tables at each of the parks you get to will likely be open when you get there, making a lunch/snack stop all-the-easier!

4) Paddle plan!  If you have quite a few youngsters going with you, make sure you plan for the stretches you will be paddling.  Make sure you have two adults that are willing to paddle in each boat.  If you have a group of 9 or 10 (or likewise 17-20), and have children in your boats, opt for 10-person boats so that your paddling power is concentrated in larger rafts.  While kids bring a ton of energy (which we love) to the river, the attention span for them paddling is usually...brief.  Plan accordingly!