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Desert Voyagers Guided Rafting Tours |
800-222-7238 |
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Mild to Wild Rafting |
800-567-6745 |
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Sun Country Rafting |
800-477-7238 |
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| Section |
Beasley
Flats to Horseshoe Reservoir |
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Location |
Yavapai
County between Flagstaff and Phoenix, central Arizona |
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Driving Time |
Phoenix—1.5
hours |
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Difficulty |
Class II-III |
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Trip Length |
60 miles (96 km) |
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Trip Options |
Paddle
raft, oar raft, inflatable kayak; one to five days |
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Season |
January-April |
The Verde River, in 1984,
became Arizona's first National Wild and Scenic River. Its
refreshing waters and lush green vegetation, which serve as an oasis
in the Sonoran desert for migratory birds, also make it a popular
habitat for the bald eagle and other diverse wildlife, including
beavers, otters, and deer. Verde's January-to-April rafting season
is the perfect time for both bird watching and relaxing in the
Southwest sun.
Although
the upper Verde contains several Class III-IV rapids during high
water, most of the river's relatively moderate Class II-III waters
are ideal for both first-time rafters and senior citizens. In
normal-water years, outfitters offer one-, two-, three- and five-day
rafting trips on the Verde. Inflatable kayaks make it possible to
extend the rafting season until early May.
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