Only Locally-Owned Vernal Rafting Company, Dinosaur River Expeditions, Turns 41

While there are plenty of out-of-town companies running river rafting trips in Vernal, Utah near the Colorado border, Dinosaur River Expeditions is the only locally-owned and operated outfitter. This month, the company is celebrating 41 years of river excursions led by local guides with an intimate knowledge of the wonders of Northeastern Utah.

Dinosaur River Expeditions is located near the renowned Dinosaur National Monument, which showcases over 1,500 dinosaur fossils from the late-Jurassic period and stands at the confluence of the Green and Yampa Rivers. The company offers one to five-day guided river rafting trips on these majestic waterways. They also offer hiking expeditions, bringing guests face to face with the rugged beauty of the monument’s iconic sandstone cliffs and petroglyphs from the ancient Fremont civilization.

Tyler Callantine, who purchased Dinosaur River Expeditions in 2010, has deep ties to the area. One of his great uncles was a well-known paleontologist who helped excavate the quarry that is now part of Dinosaur National Monument. Callantine grew up exploring the rivers around the monument with his grandparents and parents and has 27 years of rafting experience.

He said that his personal connections to the nearby rivers allow him to offer guests something they won’t get from other companies. “I know how the river changes at different flows and water levels and where the secret side sights are located,” said Callantine.

Callantine also said that his unique training set him up to offer his customers a very satisfying river experience.

“I began my rafting career with Don Hatch River Expeditions — the company that started commercial rafting in 1929,” said Callantine. “This taught me to provide the best trip possible, focused on the guests’ overall experience.”

Callantine said that while it was a big step to go from being a river guide to purchasing his own company, he is pleased to be able to do what he loves best and make each guest feel like they are more than just a number.

“For me, this was an opportunity to build a river rafting company that was small and quaint in size and give the guests a more personalized rafting experience,” said Callantine. “Our competition is all big, corporate companies and their rafting trips reflect that. The trips are very structured — not necessarily unique and special based on the customers. It’s like shopping at Walmart versus shopping at the mom and pop store.”

Callantine’s Green and Yampa River chartered river rafting expeditions welcome guests of all ages and experience levels. They are all-inclusive and offer delicious meals cooked up by staff members, rafting equipment, and transportation to and from drop-off and pick-up points.

The company was recently featured on “Visit Utah,” the state’s official tourism site, for its customized rafting adventures. To learn more about Dinosaur River Expeditions, visit www.DinosaurRiverExpeditions.com or call (800) 345-7238.

About Dinosaur River Expeditions

Family-owned Dinosaur River Expeditions offers thrilling whitewater rafting adventures in Northeastern Utah. The only locally-owned and operated outfitter near Dinosaur National Monument takes guests whitewater rafting in Utah along the breathtaking canyons of the Green River, through the Gates of Lodore, and along the mighty Yampa River of Colorado.