Will there be enough water to go on a rafting trip this summer?
Yes, rafting trips on the Deschutes River will be great this summer! The Deschutes River is fed by reservoirs and spring water. The flow is very consistent year round. When other rivers in the area are drying up from a drought, the Deschutes is still flowing strong.

Why choose Imperial River Company for my rafting trip?
We run the best all day rafting trip on the Deschutes River...no doubt about it.  No crowds!  Private lunches on our OWN PROPERTY where a lodge, restaurant and bar are waiting for your relaxation and enjoyment.  Did we mention that we are right on the Deschutes river?

Plus, our very experienced Oregon river guides know how to run the Deschutes River and have a lot of fun, but most importantly are safe while doing it. The average age of our guides is 5 years older than most other companies.

We'll always judge your skill level and desired aggressiveness on the river and take the appropriate path on the river to ensure 2 things: success and enjoyment. 

What should I bring with me to Maupin, Oregon?
What to bring on day rafting trips:

• Swimsuit and/or shorts and t-shirt
• Long sleeve shirt & pants if you burn easily
• Windbreaker or rain gear
• Tennis shoes or river sandals
• Hat for sun protection
• Sunglasses with a strap
• Sunscreen
• Towel and change of clothes for the trip home
• Extra pair of prescription glasses or contacts

For overnight rafting trips and camping bring the day trip list and:

• Long pants and long sleeve shirts
• Tennis shoes or hiking boots
• Lip balm
• Hand cream
• Insect repellent
• Wash cloth/towel/soap
• Personal hygiene items
• Disposable waterproof camera
• Flashlight

Will I get wet on my rafting trip?
Yes you will. It's whitewater rafting, not canoeing. You will get pretty wet at some point or other in the day. There are drier spots in the boat, but there are no dry spots.

What should I bring with me on the river?
There are two general rules of thumb:

1. Don’t take anything with you that you wouldn’t take into the shower.
2. If you take it with you and it must come back, it should be attached.

You will get soaked, so will your camera, wallet, or camcorder. You shouldn’t bring a favorite hat or sunglasses along, unless they have a strap on them. It is a good idea to bring a bottle of water and some sunscreen.

What do I do with my towel and change of clothes?
Leave them in your vehicle so they are dry when you get back.

Will I fall out of the boat?
Your chances of falling out of the boat unintentionally are very small. Most people that fall out aren’t paying attention, or they think it’s time to go for a swim.

Are there times that we can swim in the river?
There are some beautiful stretches of flat water that are perfect for hopping out of the boat to cool off from the summer sun.

What do we do if it rains?
We go rafting in it. You are going to get wet anyway, so what is the concern? If you do get rained on during your trip, we will give you another trip FREE! It’s our Weather Guarantee. We have splash gear to loan you if the weather is less than perfect, but it is usually great all of the time.

When is the best time to come rafting?
Most people come out in July and August. So if you want a little more solitude, we recommend September. The weather is always great, and you get the river all to yourself.

Can I bring my dog?
Nope. We don’t think that’s a very good idea. Please leave the pets at home.

Do you provide life jackets?
We do provide Class III/V Coast Guard approved life jackets that we will wear all of the time that we are near the water.

Do you provide drinking water?
We do not provide a water bottle for the boat. On our all day trip, we do provide drinking water at Sandy Beach when we are doing our portage to Buck Hollow.

Do you have overnight rafting trips?
We are permitted to run the lower 98 miles of the Deschutes River. This allows us to run 2 and 3 day overnight rafting voyages that are spectacular.

Do we have to paddle back upriver?
Nope, a shuttle bus will bring you back. The only exception is when your paddle captain skillfully guides your boat back through an eddy so that you can hit Boxcar one more time. You’ll love it!

What if the boat sinks?
We run self bailing Maravia inflatable rafts that are totally unsinkable. The boat is made of at least four separate chambers so that if one section has a leak, the others stay fully inflated. You have no worries here at all.

How do we get our rafting trip photos?
Check out our great photo station back at Imperial and see how good your mug looks.

How old do you have to be to go on a rafting trip?
We recommend a child be 6 years old, and weigh at least 50 pounds.

Is my guide qualified?
All of our guides have gone through an extensive training program so that they can give you a great day on the water. They are certified in CPR and First Aid procedures. Most of our guides come back year after year because they love taking people like you out for a day of fun.