Deschutes River Rafting Adventures
One, two or three day trips available
Guided Whitewater Rafting Trips
When you choose to go whitewater rafting on the Deschutes with Imperial River Company, you choose to go first class. From our private put-in and expansive lunches to our friendly guides and bus drivers, we give you an experience you’ll remember for a lifetime! We provide high quality rafting trips on the Deschutes River with certified guides, all while offering the best facilities and conveniences of any rafting company…period.
All Day – 18 Mile
Half Day – 13 Mile (Morning)
Half Day – 13 Mile (Afternoon)
45 Mile – 2 day, 2 night
53 Mile – 3 day, 3 night
Imperial River Company is the premier Deschutes river rafting guide. The Deschutes River carves its way for 250 miles from Little Lava Lake to the Columbia River. The lower 100 miles of the river flows through beautiful desert landscape and is termed the “Lower Deschutes.” Our 25-room lodge and guided whitewater operation are located in the center of this lower 100 miles, in Maupin, Oregon. The Deschutes River is one of the most popular rivers in Oregon, perfect for families, first-timers and experienced whitewater enthusiasts. We are the only outfitter that offers guided rafting, lodging, private river frontage, on-site restaurant & bar, group catering and a sand volleyball court!
Call or click to reserve your trip! 541.395.2404
 1 – Wreck Rapids |  2 – Trestle Hole Rapids |
 3 – The Narrows |  4 – Upper & Lower Elevator Rapids |
5 – Oak Springs Rapids |  6 – Surf City Rapids |
7 – Boxcar Rapids |  8 – Wipinitia Rapids |
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 or low-snow fall, 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 launches on our OWN PROPERTY where a lodge, restaurant and bar are waiting for your relaxation and enjoyment. No parking on the street just to meet in a parking lot and be shuttled to the river. At Imperial, you check in in the heart of our riverfront property and enjoy our spacious lawn until your launch time. 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. They choose to live their summer on the river and look forward to spending the day with you. (They also look forward to telling you a few of their stories and bad jokes, too.) But, seriously….they are very well trained and most importantly respect the water. They take simple precautions to make sure you have a terrific day and stay safe doing it.
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. Every single river trip is different from the last. Our guides make sure the trip you receive is the trip you want.
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 (if the weather forecast isn’t ideal–most of the time it is perfect!)
- 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 (just in case…)
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 or headlamp
What should I bring with me on the river?
There are two general rules of thumb:
- Don’t take anything with you that you wouldn’t take into the shower.
- If you take it with you and it must come back, it should be attached.
You will get soaked, so will your camera, wallet, and everything else. 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. Your guide will have a dry bag on your boat. They can stow emergency items like EpiPens and inhalers. And don’t worry if you forget something! We have straps, chums, sunscreen and more available for purchase.
Will I get wet on my rafting trip?
Yes you will. It’s whitewater rafting, not canoeing. You should plan on getting wet, because you will! And you’ll love it. (You’ll thank us later…..)
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 who 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?
When is the best time to come rafting?
Any day! However, most people come out in July and August. So if you want a little more solitude, we recommend June, September and during the week anytime. 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?
Of course! We provide Class IV/V Coast Guard approved life jackets that we wear all of the time that we are near the water.
Do you provide drinking water?
We do not provide a water bottle for you on 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 multi-day/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 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.
Please fill out our liability waiver before your Deschutes River rafting trip. Just click here to go directly to our secure site to electronically take care of the lawyer speak. Then send the link to each person in your party and make sure they fill in the same group name, (ie, Smith Party, Joe’s Trip, Bill Bachelor Party).
Other Info
Fully licensed and insured, Imperial River Company operates under a Special Use Permit granted by the Bureau of Land Management and State Marine Board. All of our river guides are certified with CPR-First Aid. Imperial River Company is an equal opportunity service provider. We are members of the Oregon Guides & Packers Association, America Outdoors Association, The Dalles Chamber of Commerce, Maupin Area Chamber of Commerce, Madras-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, Prineville Chamber of Commerce, Mt. Hood Aread Chamber of Commerce, and Central Oregon Visitors Association.
Deposits
Deposits are required at the time you make your reservation:
- 1 day trips: 50% per person
- Overnight trips: $100 per person
The balance is due one week prior to the day of the trip. For Group Rates, one person needs to collect for the group and make payment.
Cancellations
If cancellation is given more than 14 days prior to arrival, we can issue you a full refund of your deposit. If cancellation is given less than 2 weeks prior, we will issue you a credit voucher worth 100% of your deposit that can be used on any future reservation with us. Credit vouchers do not expire, and can also be used for lodging. We are also happy to help you reschedule your reservation for a future date that works better for you. That’s easy!
Children
Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian. They must be over 6 years old, and weight at least 50 lbs.
Pets
For your pet’s safety and happiness, please make arrangements to leave them at home or with someone that can provide for their welfare. We do not have the facilities to safely accommodate pets while you are on the river. (Nor is it acceptable to leave your pet locked in your lodge room while you are out on the river all day.)
Alcohol
We do not allow alcohol to be consumed while on the water during any of our trips.
