Frequently Asked Questions

If you're new to rafting or just new to Always Rafting & Kayaking you've come to the right place to get all of your burning questions answered! From age limits and cancellations to group rates and general expectations you'll find it all below. 

If you have any other questions that you can't find answers to please let us know! 

Email us at info@alwaysrafting.com or call 435-326-4310.

All commercial rafting outfitters are licensed by the State of Utah, and all guides must undergo an extensive training program and fulfill requirements set forth by the state. All guides are also required to have CPR and first aid certification as a minimum.

Our Location is: 3718 US-89, Marysvale, UT 84750.  Right next to Hoovers River Resort

We operate just north of Marysvale, Utah, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours north of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks.  Marysvale, Utah is on Old Highway 89, which intersects with I-70, approximately 12 miles to the north.

We are located 4 miles north of Marysvale, Utah off US-89, check in is at Hoovers River Resort and Restaurant in Deer Creek Canyon.  We are 8 miles south of the junction of I-70 and US-89, 24 miles south of Richfield, Utah.  

Call for individual directions.  (435) 326 4310

Google Maps coordinates are:   38.50316, -112.259502

GPS coordinates:    38 deg 30' 12.35" N, 112 deg 15' 36.81 W

We are approximately 2.5 to 3 hours north of Zion National Park (east entrance) and 1.5 to 2 hours from Bryce Canyon, on US-89. 

Advanced reservations are strongly recommended.  We book up fast, so call us or book online as soon as you have your trip finalized!  This is especially true for large groups - to make sure we have enough space for your entire group during the same time slot, book as far in advance as you can.  Last minute reservations and walk-ins are welcome on a space-available basis. We reserve the right to alter your scheduled trip if river conditions prevent us from running certain sections. Minimum ages may vary with changing river conditions.

Bathing suits, hats, sunscreen, shoes you don't mind getting wet.  Dry clothes, wool or fleece shirt, and a windbreaker for cool days.  Keep a towel and a change of clothes in your car - you will need them when you get back!

We strongly encourage everyone to wear a mask for your own and everyone else’s safety.

Bring a signed copy of the Acknowledgement of Risk for each river runner.  Bring a great attitude and an expectation of fun!

We suggest that you avoid wearing cotton t-shirts except on very hot days.  Instead wear a synthetic fabric shirt.  We recommend you wear shoes that can get wet - flip flops are prone to float away and don't offer any foot protection in the river. 

We strongly recommend you do not bring your cell phones onto the river with you as they can easily be broken or lost in the river. We do have a photographer that will be taking pictures of everyone at multiple points on the river. You will be able to purchase these pictures at the end of your trip back at the main cabin. 

During early May and toward the end of the season in September, air and water temperatures can be chilly.  We recommend bringing waterproof splash jackets and closed shoes.

After you park, please make your way to our office.  You will be checked-in at the office and given your participation agreements to sign if you don’t bring signed ones with you.  Then you will be introduced to your guide and taken to get fitted for life jackets.  Everyone will get on a shuttle for a 2-minute ride to the river put-in area.  Here, you will be given a short safety training and introduced to the area.  Everyone then gets on the rafts and sets off down the river.  

The first hour of the trip is through mostly calm water.  Our professional guides will regale your group with the history, geology, and biology of the Marysvale Canyon.  The second half of the trip is mostly through Class II & III rapids.  Throughout the trip, our guides will point our popular rock formations.  

Whitewater rafting is a team activity!  Everyone on the raft will be paddling and must act in coordination for the most fulfilling and safe experience.

At the end of your trip down the river, a shuttle will be waiting to take you back to our office and your car.  If you enjoyed your ride, please tip your guide!

The Sevier River has Class II and Class III rapids throughout the summer.

The whitewater river scale is per below.  The Sevier River generally has Class II and III rapids through Marysvale Canyon.

CLASS I

Your bathtub.  Easy, no significant waves.

CLASS II

Mild, predictable, smaller rapids, small drops. Moderate maneuvering. Great for younger families.

CLASS III

Moderate, larger, more irregular rapids.  Complex maneuvering.  Rafters get wet and energetic paddling can be expected.

CLASS IV

Wild, long, unpredictable rapids following in immediate succession.  Intense and precise maneuvering.  Great for experienced rafters.

CLASS V

Extreme, long, violent, continuous rapids.  Steep drops.  Only for very experienced rafters.

Children up to 10 years old can get the child rate.  Everyone 11 years and older have to pay the adult rate.

Each trip is approximately 2 hours long.  We run trips at 10am, 1pm, and 3:30pm every day. During the month of July, we are offering an additional time slot at 5:30pm with limited availability. 

Yes, we will shuttle you from our office to the put-in at the river and shuttle you back from the take-out.

We discourage all customers from bringing items that are not tightly strapped to their arms or head.  All customers will be paddling with both hands and will not be able to hold other devices.  Any loose devices or objects will get swept out into the river and may not be recoverable.  

But don’t worry!  We have a photographer who will be taking pictures of you and your group throughout the trip.  The pictures will be transferred to a flash drive immediately after the trip and can be bought before you leave for a very reasonable rate.  Alternatively, we can also send you a link to download the pictures after taking your payment.  

Yes!  We have a dedicated photographer to take pictures of you and your group during your trip down the river, particularly at the areas where you are certain to get splashed!  Several photographs will be taken throughout the trip.  They will be immediately transferred to a flash drive after your trip and can be bought at a very reasonable rate.  Alternatively, we can also send you a link to download the pictures after taking your payment.  

No, the first hour or so of the trip is mostly through calmer waters.  During this time, our guides will talk to you about the history, geology, and biology of the Marysvale Canyon.  The second hour of the trip is mostly through rapids.  Throughout the trip, our guides will point out popular rock formations. 

Rafting:

With Class II & III rapids on the Sevier River, our whitewater rafting trips are safe and fun for all – the first timers and the seasoned rafters.  No experience is necessary.

Kayaking:

We do require all whitewater kayaking guests to be proficient in kayaking through Class II and III rapids. Each guess will be navigating their own kayak throughout the trip.  A guide will accompany the group in their own kayak.

We have taken children as young as 3 years old; however, river conditions can vary and if the water flow is too high, it may not be safe to take very young children.  Please call us before booking to confirm the conditions. 

Excluding holiday weekends and groups of 15 or more, you may cancel 7 days in advance with no cancellation fee.

Holiday weekends bookings and all groups bookings may cancel 30 days in advance with no cancellation fee.  Summer holidays subject to the 30-day cancellation policy are:

Memorial Day, 4th of July, 24th of July, and Labor Day. 

These include the whole weekend.

For large groups of 15 and over, no cancellation fee for cancellations made at least 30 days prior to scheduled trip.  Full amount will be refunded.  Cancellations within 30 days will be charged full cost of trip.

We will do our best to accommodate late arrivals on other trips during the day or in the following days, based on availability.  HOWEVER, IF AN ACCOMMODATION CANNOT BE MADE, YOU WILL BE CHARGED THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE TRIP.

CANCELLATIONS WITHIN 7 DAYS OF TRIP WILL BE CHARGED THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE TRIP.

NO SHOWS WILL BE CHARGED FULL AMOUNT OF THE TRIP.

If ARK cancels the trip due to low water levels or other hazards, full refund will be made to all customers for those days.

We are always on the water - rain or shine.  We have even rafted in the snow!  However, if the river flow is too low, rafting is not as fun, can be less safe, and our rafts can get damaged by rocks.  The Sevier River flow is dam-controlled and can get too low during the first week or 2 weeks of June because of water cuts requested by farmers in the area while they harvest.  This is completely out of our hands and actual dates change from year to year, so we cannot plan ahead for it.  We monitor this on a day-by-day basis and may call you the night before or, worst case, the morning of your trip to cancel.  You will be given the option to either reschedule your trip for a later date at no additional cost, do a flat water kayaking trip instead for a partial refund, or we will cancel your trip and give you a full refund.  We will make sure to let you know as soon as we know so that you can plan accordingly.  

Yes, we don’t recommend whitewater rafting for people with respiratory issues or cardiac problems.

Yes, we have a weight restriction of 300 lbs.*  Our rafts need to be well balanced for a safe and enjoyable trip down the river.  We reserve the right to deny someone a spot on a raft if they could put other customers or our guides at risk.

*Weight restriction can vary based on the water levels of the river - please call ahead if you have questions or concerns. 

 At ARK, we take the safety of our customers and our employees very seriously.  If a customer appears to be intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they can risk the safety of others and we can deny them a spot on the raft.  No refund will be made to the customer.  We strongly encourage customers who might be experiencing fever, cough, cold, or other signs of possible COVID exposure to immediately call us and cancel their reservation.  Any customer exhibiting such signs will be denied a spot on the raft.

Yes!  Expect to get splashed, if not completely drenched!