This is a trip designed for those who want to learn about packrafting, build paddling skills, and have a wild good time at camp!
Each day takes you from our gorgeously outfitted camp to a new location for lessons on and off the water focused on packrafting. Learn the basics of how to pick out a boat and size it appropriately to your body, how to pack for an overnight paddling trip, practice a wide variety of paddling strokes and techniques, start learning how to read rivers and water, tie knots, and practice basic safety principles on water.
After fun on the water return to camp for gourmet meals, cocktail hour, and a host of optional group activities from fly fishing, to foraging, to stargazing, and more.
⤷ Practice paddling techniques, loading & outfitting boats, and reading rivers on flat & moving water
⤷ Explore 2-3 different stretches of the Grande Ronde River, an alpine lake, and a stretch of the Minam River
⤷ No Boat? No problem. All inclusive. Bring your own gear or use ours!
⤷ After each day on the water, return to an outfitted camp for gourmet meals, cold beverages, and rad activities.
⤷ In addition to packrafting come to fly fish, forage for mushrooms, & win fun camp competitions.
⤷ At the end of the weekend, test your new found skills with a "hike in -- packraft out" experience and head back to camp to raise a glass with new friends and classmates.
⤷ Post-course, purchase a packraft from our partner retailer at a highly
discounted rate!
Tent Camping at our rad camp location!
local, professional, certified, naturalist packraft guides / instructors
professional camp chef & bartender
From Day 1-3 all meals, beverages & cocktail package
packrafts & accessories, adult PFDs, tents, group gear, kitchen, etc. (excluding dry suits, & kids PFDs if applicable- contact us for recommendations)---we'll send you a packing list upon booking
we are professional wilderness fun facilitators
from camp to daily paddling locations
professional photographer & download link to photos
meet & greet evening before w/ first beverage hosted by Go Wild
complimentary camp mug with hand crafted leather work by Go Wild
transportation to and from Eastern Oregon-- contact us if you need this arranged
lodging before / after your trip -- contact us for local discounts and recommendations
Save at checkout if your bring your own camp & paddle gear
(we can help arrange rentals)
(we can help arrange rentals)
closed toed river shoes such as an old pair or sneakers
not required, but appreciated (typically 10-20% trip cost)
If you've arrive a day early, join us in the evening! Meet your guides at our favorite local eatery for a round of drinks on us. Talk shop, get excited, and ask any last minute questions.
Depending on your preference, in the morning meet your guides at camp or enjoy complimentary pickup from your hotel. After "checking in" to camp and selecting your tent, it's time to head to the lake!
At the lake, it's all about the basics! Go over safety basics and familiarize yourself with the boats: entry, exit, movement, and paddling strokes. This lesson will take place 50% on land and 50% in the water. Who's ready to get wet!?
Our lake also presents the perfect opportunity for a fly fishing lesson. Learn the basics of knot tying, casting, and how fish behave. Dine on a gourmet lunch and optional fish fry before heading to our camp for the evening. Put your feet up and relax to gourmet service.
After a hearty breakfast, head to our first of two stretches of river for the day: a lower section of the Grande Ronde that flows through agricultural land and a magnificent canyon. This is the perfect chance to practice the skills we talked about yesterday on moving water.
- entering & launching boats into moving water
- paddling techniques
- reading rivers
- downstream movement
- wet exit & entry (in water)
After lunch, we'll head to a second stretch of river with slightly faster water to continue practicing and to learn a few new tricks.
Today, we're truly going packrafting! Pack your backpacking bag for a big day of hiking and floating.
After breakfast we head to the Minam River to float quicker water and an opportunity to test out your new skills as you pack in your packraft for the completely self-supported experience. This is the culmination of everything we've learned so far.
We'll practice:
- packing a backpack for a packrafting adventure
- loading and unloading boats
- launching into moving water
- downstream movement- paddling techniques
- ferrying and catching eddies
- exiting water
- portaging
- and more!
After water fun, it's back to camp for a final blow out party complete with live music, awesome camp grub and the opportunity to purchase a raft at a highly discounted rate to take home! Your are welcome to head home that evening or camp one more night.
