Verde River Springtime Splendor
by Emily Reeves, Outdoor Travel Professional
This winter has blessed the high deserts of Arizona with rain and even snow! Experience the splendor of springtime differently this year; go boating on the Verde River! Springtime is an exciting season with warm sunny days, cool refreshing evenings surrounded by the blooming trees and singing birds. After winter’s chilly confinement, it’s always nice to get outside to celebrate the rebirth of Mother Nature by enjoying spring activities and recreations. This is good news for boaters because water levels are expected to be higher for boating on the Verde River this spring.
KAYAKS and RAFTING: Boating is a fun, relaxing springtime recreation and nothing beats the freedom of being the captain of your own ship. If you don’t have a boat, Sedona Adventure Outfitters & Guides can outfit you with all the boating gear you need. Open 7 days a week all year round, they are the only company in the Verde Valley offering boating tours as well as boating rental and retail. Specializing in river float trips, Sedona Adventure Outfitters & Guides can rent or sell you inflatable kayaks and other boating gear such as life vests, helmets and paddles.
PROFESSIONAL GUIDES: Sedona Adventure Outfitters features a skilled team of knowledgeable guides each bringing their own expertise and enthusiasm to your guided tour, some with many years of experience on rivers such as the Colorado, Gila, and San Juan.
SPECIALTY TOURS: Sedona Adventure Outfitters specializes in the Verde River Float Trip and the Water to Wine Tour. The River Float Trip is a four hour float trip on the Verde River, the Water to Wine Tour is a one hour float trip to the banks of Alcantara Vineyard. Both tours guarantee fun and excitement, great for couples or the entire family.
INFLATABLE “DUCKIES”: All tours utilize inflatable kayaks also known as “duckies”. In addition to guided tours you can also rent these duckies to create your own adventure. Duckies are ideal for springtime fun and can be taken just about anywhere; they deflate to the size of a large suitcase and can easily fit in a car or truck. Compared to recreational kayaks or canoes; duckies are light, easy to navigate and unbelievably stable because you sit suspended above the water line on an inflated floor. Duckies are user friendly, even for beginners so no previous kayaking experience is necessary. Sedona Adventure Outfitters even have tandem duckies for rent so if you want to bring a friend along to share the fun, you can pair up your efforts! You can rent your own duckie for $59.00 a day or $89.00 for a tandem. Sedona Adventure Outfitters also provide shuttle services the kayak rentals, please call for more information.
THE VERDE RIVER: The Verde River is great for first-time boaters and great for family fun. A jewel in the desert; this majestic river is federally designated as “Wild & Scenic”, running 200 miles along three national forests and offers unlimited possibilities for boaters and sightseers. The well-channeled Verde River allows Sedona Adventure Outfitters to operate river trips all year round so come and experience the unparalleled beauty whether it be a guided tour or your own river adventure.
For more information on how you can boat the Verde River this spring please call Sedona Adventure Outfitters & Guides at 928.204.6440 or visit the website at www.SedonaAdventureTours.com. Feel free to visit the store location at 2020 Contractors Drive in Sedona, across from the Bashas Shopping Center in west Sedona.