Wyoming River Trips

Wyoming River Trips: Rafting on the Shoshone River, Cody

Wyoming River Trips is a second-generation family business dedicated to rafting and river excursions based in Cody, Wyoming. Founded in the winter of 1978 by brothers Rick and Ron Blanchard, it has operated continuously ever since, making it the only rafting company in the Cody area with uninterrupted ownership and management since its creation. The company presents itself as the premier rafting company in northwestern Wyoming and as Cody's number one outdoor activity between 2012 and 2025.

Shoshone River Excursions

The trip catalog ranges from one-hour outings to multi-day journeys. Featured offerings include the one-hour Red Rock Canyon trip, the half-day trip through Red Rock and Lower canyons, the full-day trip with lunch included, and the three-day, two-night journey with lodging at UXU Ranch. There are also two-hour Lower Canyon trips and a two-day ethnobotany float. Prices listed on the site are: $52 for the one-hour Red Rock Canyon trip, $84 for the half-day trip (Class I-III), $85 for the yoga and rafting combination, and $495 for the two-day ethnobotany float.

Skill Levels, Options, and Training

The company organizes trips for all skill levels and for different types of travelers, including families, solo travelers, and groups. In addition to conventional rafting, it offers inflatable kayak excursions, yoga and rafting sessions, introductory and intermediate packrafting clinics, and education and skills programs. Custom trip options are also available.

Guides and Safety

The company emphasizes the intentional selection of its staff and guides, as well as high levels of training and attention to detail. Customer testimonials on the site mention the guides' competence and demeanor, their focus on safety, and their ability to adapt the experience to participants of different ages, from children to seniors. The company has staff stationed at various overlooks along the river to photograph participants, and these images can be purchased afterward.

Recognition and Presence

The site states that the company has held the number one spot on TripAdvisor since 2011 and has been recognized as Cody's number one outdoor activity between 2012 and 2025. It also mentions a collaboration with Condé Nast Traveler on a feature about Wyoming's waterways. The company operates with exclusive access to the National Forest and offers special trips off the beaten path.

History and Team

The founders, Rick and Ron Blanchard, were born and raised in Port Arthur, Texas, and came to Cody drawn by its reputation as a rodeo destination. Before settling in Wyoming, they worked on the Alaska Pipeline, competed in professional rodeos, and guided trips on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The company maintains a family culture both in organizing trips and in internal management, and emphasizes that its staff is the foundation of the business.

Location and Contact

233 Yellowstone Ave. Cody WY, 82414 · Phone: 307-587-6661 · Hours: Open daily in summer, mid-May to September