Santa Fe Rafting Co-Outfitters — Attraction in Santa Fe

Our 1/2 day rafting trip (Racecourse) was highly disappointing in so many ways. To begin, the website faqs specifically state that all items that could get lost or damaged will remain in the van, and that a water bottle, sunscreen and lip balm are recommended for the boat. Needless to say, we only brought the recommended items for the boat. As soon as we walked into check in, an employee is saying "you will want sunglasses and chums". Really? You should include that on your website! So, $75 later, we are equipped with sunglasses and chums. That would have been a nice monetary tip for your guide. Or is it a way to make extra money? Next, I hear an employee saying "yeah, some people bring their phones on the boat". Again, really? We've used waterproof cases before and would have been fine accepting the risk. You should also include that on your website! At this point, we are off to a bad start. Once at the river, our group of 4 (3 adults and a 14yo) were assigned to a raft/guide along with and 80 yo and her special needs grandson who is 18 yo. I'm thinking that since the minimum age is 5, we should be fine. I was wrong. Once on the water, we learn that it's the guide’s first year on the river. Why would you give her such challenging passengers when she is so new?! The grandson wouldn't paddle and the few times I turned around, grandma was taking pictures with her phone. We hit some challenging rapids and grandma fell out. Another raft in our party lost half of their passengers in the rapids as well. It was chaos! There was yelling and everyone was looking for the overboard passengers. But in the meantime, we were getting no direction from our guide. We were hitting rocks/boulders and I was afraid our raft was going to flip over. I did not feel safe at all!! Luckily, everyone was rescued, but it did not seem like anyone knew what they were doing. I've been rafting before and I have to say that I've never felt unsafe before. Do some research before booking with this company. Oh, and to top it off, our group was the only one not to get a photo going through the rapids because the "timing was off". Don't you do this all the time? In summary, complete disaster!! DO...

Our recent adventure with Santa Fe Rafting Company on the Rio Grande was nothing short of exhilarating. From the moment we arrived, the experience was seamless and well-organized, setting the tone for a fantastic day on the water. The staff greeted us warmly and ensured we were well-prepared with all the necessary gear and safety instructions. This level of professionalism gave us confidence that we were in good hands right from the start.

The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly our guide, Taylor. From the beginning, Taylor made sure everyone felt comfortable and excited about the journey ahead. Her expertise and knowledge of the river were evident, and she shared fascinating insights about the local environment and the challenges we would encounter. Taylor's energy and enthusiasm were infectious, making the experience both educational and incredibly fun. Her ability to read the river and navigate us through the rapids with precision turned what could have been a nerve-wracking experience into pure enjoyment.

The Rio Grande itself is a breathtaking backdrop for any adventure. The combination of thrilling rapids and serene stretches of water offered the perfect balance of excitement and relaxation. The scenery was stunning, with towering cliffs, lush greenery, and the occasional glimpse of wildlife. Taylor's guidance allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience, whether we were tackling the more intense sections or simply floating along and soaking in the beauty around us.

Overall, I highly recommend Santa Fe Rafting Company for anyone seeking a thrilling and memorable experience in the Santa Fe area. The professionalism of the staff, the quality of the equipment, and the expertise of guides like Taylor make this a top-notch operation. Whether you're a seasoned rafter or a first-timer, you'll find this adventure both exciting and accessible. We left the river with big smiles and a desire to return for another trip down...

JULY2022: seems like I can’t leave an additional review, so I’ll just add more gold stars to my original one…. We didn’t pull a private Chama permit this year (WHAT UP WITH THAT BLM!?!? 🤣) so we decided to hire Jared to take us for a mid July cool down in the wild and scenic. It was SPECTACULAR. Jared ordered beautiful weather! We got a sweet little summer NM monsoon - complete with epic sunset clouds! The food was amazing, Santa Fe Rafting truly caters to all dietary restrictions and preferences. The trip was top notch! They knew all the perfect camping spots, all the good swimming, all the great sightseeing! I can’t say enough great things about SFR. I hope to be on many a trip in the future!!! And if we ever pull a private permit you better believe I’ll be renting equipment from them! 💜💜💜 Thanks Jared and Maggie, for another unforgettable , immersive experience!

APRIL 2021 My partner and I just completed a 5 day Guide School with the new owner, Jared, and his assistant Will. And it changed my life. Covid put a dent in a lot of things, and this was the PERFECT “re-entry” into “new normal.”

Jared is so highly qualified as an instructor, but also extremely professional. Stern when needed, patient, encouraging, understanding, supportive and also hilarious. He demonstrated unbelievable management and training skills... I have a new “standard of care” in my own personal management style thanks to him and his crew. I’m not sure I can ever live up to him and his crew, but imma die trying! I started the week completely terrified of the responsibilities of guiding (privately) my own boat, and finished the week just stoked and ready to get my boat wet safely.

I likely won’t be seeing any of you reading this as your guide, but I cannot recommend Santa Fe Rafting Co. and any of their staff enough. What a truly epic, unforgettable experience! Thank you, thank...