Red Canyon River Trips 7 Mile Whitewater Rafting 9am Daily

The best part of this Cody rafting trip is its mix of easy whitewater and local storytelling. You get seven miles on the Shoshone River, a few lively class II and class III rapids, canyon views, and a good chance to spot wildlife, all in about two hours.

I like the family age range, with children as young as two allowed, and I like that transportation, life vests, slickers when needed, and a guide are included. You also get more than a wet ride: guides explain Buffalo Jump, Roadrunner Bridge, glacial rock formations, and the area’s Wild West past.

The main consideration is that this is a short, introductory rafting trip, not a full-day wilderness expedition. A two-hour outing gives you a taste of the river, but you should not expect long stretches of remote silence or hard whitewater.

Key points to know before you book

• Seven miles of Shoshone River: The route gives you a useful stretch of river without taking up your entire day in Cody.
• Class II and III rapids: Little Big Drop, Colters Falls, and Sitting Bull provide excitement without requiring advanced rafting experience.
• Children as young as two: This is one of the more accessible rafting choices for families, though every participant still needs a moderate level of physical fitness.
• Cody pickup is available: Transportation to and from the river is included, which saves you the trouble of arranging a separate drive.
• History is part of the trip: Guides connect the river to Buffalo Jump, Indigenous food-gathering practices, local geology, and Buffalo Bill’s family.
• A 9 a.m. start: The morning departure leaves most of your day open for the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, scenic drives, or other Cody activities.

Seven miles of river, with just enough whitewater

This outing follows a seven-mile section of the Shoshone River near Cody. That distance matters. You get enough time on the water to settle into the raft, learn how the boat moves, and enjoy several named rapids, but the trip remains short enough to fit around a busy sightseeing schedule.

The river is known for class II and class III rapids. In practical terms, that means you can expect splashes, movement, and moments that ask you to pay attention, but this is aimed at beginners rather than experienced whitewater paddlers. The named features include Little Big Drop, Colters Falls, and Sitting Bull.

I would choose this trip for a first rafting experience or a family looking for outdoor fun without committing to a demanding adventure. If you have already handled stronger rapids, you may find the route fairly gentle. That is not a flaw. It is the reason the trip works for a broad age range.

The activity lasts about two hours. The exact rhythm of the outing depends on river conditions and the group, but you should plan for time around the start and finish as well. The stated meeting point is 1119 12th Street in Cody, and the trip returns there at the end.

The 9 a.m. start works well in Cody

The listed departure is 9 a.m., with trips offered daily. This is a useful time for families. You can get on the river before the day becomes crowded with other Cody plans, then have the afternoon for a museum visit, a meal, or a drive toward Yellowstone.

Transportation to and from the river is included if you need it. That is a real benefit in a rafting trip. You do not have to work out where to leave a vehicle, arrange a second driver, or worry about finding the river access point on your own.

The meeting point is also convenient for organizing the day because the activity ends back there. Bring the booking confirmation on your mobile device, since mobile tickets are accepted. Confirmation is normally sent at booking, though reservations made within two hours of departure may need to wait for availability confirmation.

Because this is an outdoor activity, keep some flexibility in your schedule. Poor weather can lead to a change of date or a full refund. The trip also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of another date, another activity, or a refund.

Little Big Drop, Colters Falls, and Sitting Bull

The whitewater is the heart of the trip, but the named rapids help you understand what to expect. Little Big Drop, Colters Falls, and Sitting Bull are presented as class II and class III features, giving the ride a clear sequence of exciting moments rather than one long stretch of rough water.

For a beginner, the appeal is the balance. You will get a splash and some movement, yet the route does not demand advanced paddling skills. Your guide supplies instruction and directs the raft, while you take part at the level expected of a recreational passenger.

The word family-friendly can sometimes hide a very mild experience. Here, the class III sections provide some real excitement, even though the overall route remains approachable. I would still expect wet clothes and a need to hold on when instructed. Slickers are available if needed, but you should be prepared for spray and changing river conditions.

The tour notes a moderate physical fitness requirement. That is worth taking seriously. You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable getting in and out of a raft, sitting for the trip, and responding to guide instructions. The age minimum is two, but parents should judge a young child’s comfort around moving water for themselves.

Canyon walls, wildlife, and the Shoshone River setting

Rafting gives you a different view of the Cody area. From the river, you look up at canyon walls, unusual rock formations, and fault lines that shape the region. The trip also passes through areas formed by glaciers carving through the canyons.

Wildlife is another reason to keep your eyes up between rapids. The river area is known for a variety of animals. No sighting is promised, so think of wildlife as a possible bonus rather than the main purpose of the trip. The water, canyon scenery, and open views are reliable parts of the setting.

Roadrunner Bridge is one of the landmarks discussed along the way. Your guide also points out geological features instead of leaving you to guess what you are seeing. That added explanation improves the ride, especially if you are new to the Cody region.

I like this balance of activity and scenery. You are not simply being carried through a canyon, and you are not spending the entire outing listening to a lecture. The faster sections provide the fun, while the calmer water gives the guide room to explain the place.

Buffalo Jump and the story behind the river

One of the more unusual parts of the route is the passage by Buffalo Jump at Sage Creek. The guide explains how Indigenous peoples used this type of site to help feed and clothe their communities.

That context gives the river a human story. You are not just looking at a scenic canyon. You are learning how people used the land and its animals long before Cody became a tourism center.

The Buffalo Jump is also connected to the Center of the West museum, where you can see a bronze replica and learn more about the site. If you have time after rafting, the museum makes a sensible follow-up. The river gives you the place itself, while the museum can provide a more detailed display.

The company’s own history is part of the outing too. Red Canyon River Trips dates back to 1972, and the story reaches back to Kit Cody, described as Buffalo Bill’s great-grandson. Kit Cody began some of the first you-paddle rafting trips in North America. That local connection makes the trip feel rooted in Cody rather than like a generic rafting product moved from one resort town to another.

The connection to the film Meet the Deedles is another small but distinctive detail. Kenny Martin of Red Canyon helped with stunts for the movie on this river. If you know the film, that may be a fun surprise. If you do not, it is still a reminder that this stretch of water has appeared in local entertainment history.

Guides who explain more than paddling

Your guide handles the practical side of the trip, including river direction and safety, but the role also includes interpretation. You can expect information about local history, geology, bridges, rock formations, and the Wild West.

One guide specifically associated with the operation is Burns, who has years of river-guiding experience. He is not guaranteed for every departure, but his background gives you a sense of the experience available from the guiding team.

All guides are CPR certified, drug and alcohol tested, and background checked. Those details do not remove every risk from a river trip, but they show that safety is treated as part of the operation rather than an afterthought.

I value the guide commentary because the route includes several subjects that are easy to miss from a raft. Without explanation, a fault line is just a crack in rock and Buffalo Jump is just another place along the bank. A good guide helps you see why those details matter.

The guide’s personality will shape the trip. Published feedback highlights friendly service, clear information about the area, and a fun ride. That combination is especially useful for families, since children often need both reassurance and entertainment during their first rafting outing.

What the $59 price includes

At $59 per person, this is priced as an accessible half-day-style activity, though the actual river time is about two hours. The value is strongest if you need an easy outing with equipment and transportation already arranged.

The price includes:

• Transportation to and from the river
• A river guide
• Life vests
• Slickers if needed
• The rafting experience itself

You are not paying extra for a separate equipment rental or river transfer. That makes the total cost easier to understand, especially for a family where small add-on charges can quickly pile up.

The price does not include the guide’s gratuity. A 15 to 20 percent service tip is considered standard, so include that in your working budget. On the base price, that adds roughly $9 to $12 per person.

The value depends on your expectations. If you want a short, guided introduction to the Shoshone River with local stories, the price is reasonable. If you want a full-day trip, serious rapids, or a remote wilderness outing, this is not the right product no matter how attractive the price looks.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this outing to families, first-time rafters, and anyone with a free morning in Cody. It also suits people who want scenery and local background along with a little physical excitement.

The young age minimum makes it unusual among rafting options. Still, a two-year-old may react very differently from an older child, so parents should consider the child’s comfort with water, noise, splashing, and sitting in a raft.

This trip also works well for a mixed group. One person can enjoy the scenery, another can focus on the rapids, and everyone gets the same basic outing. You do not need prior rafting experience, and the class II and III rating keeps the route within reach of beginners.

I would look elsewhere if you want a long, challenging expedition. The two-hour duration and moderate physical requirement point to a recreational trip rather than a serious test of paddling skill.

Practical planning for a comfortable morning

Wear clothing that can handle getting wet. The operator provides life vests and slickers when needed, but you should still plan for spray and changing conditions. Since the outing takes place outdoors, check the forecast and avoid packing anything you cannot afford to wet.

Arrive ready for the 9 a.m. start at 1119 12th Street in Cody. If you use the included transport, follow the arrival instructions in your confirmation so the departure runs smoothly.

The company offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted. Since weather and minimum participation can affect the trip, it is wise not to build an inflexible chain of bookings around this one activity.

You should also leave room in your day after rafting. The trip returns to the meeting point, and the morning timing works nicely with the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, especially if you want to connect the river’s Buffalo Jump story with the museum’s bronze replica.

Should you book the Shoshone River rafting trip?

Book it if you want a short, affordable, family-friendly introduction to Cody’s river country. The strongest reasons are the low-intensity whitewater, the seven-mile route, the included transport, and the guide commentary about Buffalo Jump, local geology, and Cody’s rafting past.

Skip it if your main goal is hard whitewater or a full-day wilderness experience. The rapids are limited to class II and III, and the full outing lasts about two hours.

For most families and first-time rafters, I think this is a sensible Cody add-on. You get a genuine river experience, a few memorable splashes, scenic canyon views, and enough local context to make the ride more than a simple amusement.

FAQ

How long does the rafting trip last?

The rafting experience lasts approximately two hours.

How far do you raft?

The route covers seven miles of the Shoshone River near Cody.

What class rapids are included?

The trip includes class II and class III rapids, including Little Big Drop, Colters Falls, and Sitting Bull.

Are beginners allowed to join?

Yes. The activity is designed for beginners and families, and prior rafting experience is not listed as a requirement.

How young can children be?

Children as young as two can take part, though all participants should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation to and from the river is included, and the activity ends back at the meeting point in Cody.

What time does the trip start?

The listed start time is 9 a.m., with departures offered daily.

What happens if the weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. A full refund is also available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.