River Rafting Trip

Whitewater rafting is a thrilling experience, and if you're on the right Class of river -- all rivers are classified by the same system-- even young kids can enjoy the ride.

Holiday Expeditions, a 36-year-old family-run company, has river rafting trips in Utah, Colorado and Idaho, including family adventures of several sorts.

• Ranch and Raft combination trips begin in eastern Utah at a century-old working cattle ranch, altitude 10,000 feet. Families stay in private cabins and can horseback ride, hike, go four-wheeling, hike, and generally sample Western ranch life. Then a private plane carries guests down to the desert canyon, where a raft awaits. Cost for 7 days is $1445/person*, $1245/child, not including transportation to Green River, Utah.

• Several Family Adventure raft trips are offered in summer. For example, a 4-day trip on the Green River in Lodore Canyon, Utah, costs $779/adults, $662/kids; 5-day trips in Cataract Canyon, Colorado, cost $917/$779.

• Based on early bookings, some trips may be designated 'Family Only'.

• Youth prices are offered on most trips, with extra discounts on certain trips (Desolation Canyon-Green River, San Juan River, and Lower Salmon River Canyon) which can take kids as young as five.

• A River Sage trip combines history, culture, and ecology on the Yampa river in Dinosaur National Monument. The 5-day trip costs $875 and welcomes families with kids eight and up.

Besides rafting, trips might feature outdoor games, discovery hikes, fireside stories and songs. After all, kids just wanna have fun wherever and whenever: so why not play dress-up on a rafting trip?

Trip price include meals, snacks, iced water, lemonade and a couple of sodas per day; check web site for current rates. Child rates are for ages 18 and under. Guests can either bring their own tent and sleeping bags, or pay $40 to rent a sleeping bag, pad, pillow and rain gear, or pay $65 for all the above plus a 2-person tent.