imperial river co.

Again this year I arranged for our group to fill two rafts for a full day on the river. The full day tour starts at their dock and heads downstream while other rafting places go upstream to start. That means we mostly had the river to ourselves. The guides are very good and know the river and the fun places to go. They provide a safe and very enjoyable trip by starting with well done instructions and life jackets. At noon they take you back to the starting point for a nice lunch (not outstanding, but certainly good - and you ARE hungry) .After lunch they take you upstream for the afternoon part of the trip - again with fewer people on the river.Again we purchased the CD of photos. If you are with a group this is a good way for everyone to get the photos with a shared cost. If you are by yourself you might do better to view the available photos and just grab a few that show you. They are good quality and add to your memories of the day.We plan to be back again next summer.

My partner and I stayed at the Imperial River Co. Lodge and had booked an 18 mile all day rafting trip with them the next day. The accommodations were great, all though a little on the noisy side (a bachelor party upstairs).The rafting trip left from their front lawn, floated down The Deschutes River for 11 miles, then we were bused back to the lodge for a pretty good barbecue lunch, then bused up river for the last 7 mile leg ending at the lodge. Exciting river, good group in the boat of 6 plus guide, and we were first onto the river in the morning avoiding the backlog at the public launch of the other rafting companies (upwards of 100 boats floating the river in unison (not a pleasant site as we watched being ahead of them all).Great trip, exciting river, well organized and very good guides. The accommodations were good as well. We would book again. Only difference would be we would book the night after our float trip rather then heading off to Bend, Or.

Went on Labor Day weekend, 2014. Typical Labor Day weekend in Oregon - raining part of the time and cooler, but didn't matter - had a blast. Our guide Ryan was great, kept us all pointed in the right direction, and made sure we had fun. Imperial does it well - you get on the river without any other boats around, so you feel like you have the river to yourself. All day trip was a blast, we're coming back next year for sure.

The food was very good.We had lunch there and no complaints.The place was packed with people for dinner

Best rafting I have ever done! Amazing landscape, crazy how it goes from desert to wild water river as you look around. Fun rapids and pleasant water temperature. Topher, thanks for a great trip (je bent een toffe gozer ;-) ).

I rafted with Imperial about 10 yrs ago and this time got the whole family to come along, ages 59 to 10. What a blast we all had! This is a wonderful day spent on the water, seeing the beautiful Deschutes River and nature along the way. Phil our guide gave us the history of the area and pointed out Bald Eagles, Osprey and Herons along the way. Also saw Indian tribal fishing areas too. Imperial has a wonderful property with overnight lodging and a restaurant also, a large grassy area with chairs to hang out and relax on or even play a game of volleyball. We did not stay overnight and opted to drive from Portland and let me tell you it it a beautiful drive. I would however suggest if you are doing the all day 18 mile which I recommend then stay at the lodge. I stayed last time and wish I had this time around. I would also suggest the 18 mile all day trip. Yes it is pricey but worth it! You raft down the river about 12 miles then they take you back up to the property where you started , barbecue lunch , bus up the road and raft the rest of the way back down to Imperial. What a wild ride you will have and not one of us fell out of the raft. Yes you will get wet and soaked probably. Take a ride and the thrill and fun will be a memory to last a lifetime!This is definitely going to be an annual family event!

Topher was our guide. He knows the river well and made both of our families feel very safe on the raft. The 1/2 day rafting was better than the Colorado rafting I posted earlier. Only recommendation is let someone else sit on the front right side... I'm soaked still :)

Great people, experienced guides and a beautiful setting on the Descutes River. Safety first on the water, and the most fun you can pack in one trip. Andy was my guide excellent guide.

Great trip. First, they did not cancel on us when their only clients for the day were my wife and I (very early season). Instead we got a personally-guided trip on a smaller raft than usual. Second, our guide, Jordan, clearly knew his way around the river. (Several years ago we took a 2-day windsurfing lesson elsewhere, which did not go well during the strong winds the first day because the instructor was a summer hire and inexperienced - this experience was the opposite.) Jordan was knowledgeable, patient, and gradually ramped up the fun as my wife's trepidations about rafting lessened with each rapid. Lunch was great - choice of chicken, burgers, or veggie burgers, with excellent fries, prefaced by fruit and followed by homemade cookies. We stayed at Imperial as well so very convenient. Can't wait to come back and do the 3-day Deschutes trip, and will ask for Jordan again.

I've rafted a lot of places, including Costa Rica, and this trip was the best. Our guide kept it fun and entertaining. Young teens had a chance to "ride the bull" and loved it. The 18 mile trip is well worth it--go for the full day. Good mix of rapids and float time. Food was good. Will be back! All staff were great.

White water rafting trip was wonderful ! Water was just fast enough and rapids were exciting. Time to float in water and swim if you could stand the cold water and burgers for lunch in the middle of the day. Our guide Daniel was great and all the guides and bus driver were hilarious ! A very fun day !

I've been whitewater rafting once before on the Kern River, but the Descuttes River had more Class 3 & 4 rapids and it was the first time we took turns Riding the Bull - sitting on the front of the raft, holding onto a rope, and riding the rapids. Totally voluntary, but totally fun. We had a group of 7 friends, so we got our own raft. Our guide was Awesome Austin. Never a worry or fear. This guy knew what he was doing. We had a full-day trip with a break for lunch (burgers, chicken, side salads, fruit, cookies - all delicious.) All this for only $99. What a deal!To quote from their website: "While every other company and private boater will be navigating the river during rush hour traffic, Imperial's All Day Exclusive Trip is different. We have our own "on-ramp" that no one else can use. So, no more bumper boats on the Deschutes with people you don't know. The all day trip hits rapids, all of them in fact. Short list: AC/DC, Surf City , Oak Springs, The Elevators, Wake-Up, Lower Trestle, Wreck Rapids, Wapinitia, Devil's Hole, Boxcar, and Rodeo rapids!"While we were eating lunch, we saw the traffic jam on the river. Lines of rafts waiting for their turn on the rapids. Us? Never a wait. I'm spoiled now by the high bar they set.