Boating in the desert

The Verde River, in particular the 18-mile stretch that runs through the Camp Verde, Ariz. area, appears to be well-kept secret. Its quiet splendor and “epic” magnitude are a surprise to visitors who have no idea that such a waterway exists in the heart of Arizona. 

Tourists can now renew their love affairs with nature on “float trips” down this beautiful pristine river. 

Offered by Sedona Adventure Outfitters and Guides, D/B/A Verde Valley Kayaking, it’s not white water rapids, explains owner Richard Lynch, but rather fun, splashing-in-the-river, scenic float tours in single seat and tandem kayaks with paddles, or float on wild river tubes.

These water adventures provide travelers with larger-than-life, camera-ready spectacular views of a gorgeous water course, remote desert, Indian ruins, glimpses of otters, beavers, ducks, birds, and a shoreline perfect for lunch-and-hiking stops. Lynch said others have tried commercial trips down the Verde but used large cumbersome rafts that proved unsuccessful. With his smaller fleet of float boats, he maintains that “it makes the Verde do-able year round.”

Lynch’s goal is to have clients walk away remarking, “Wow that was well worth the money.”

Trips include floats, equipment, guides (unless self-guided), lunch/snacks, and shuttle transportation. Kayak and shuttle rentals also available; call for more information.  

A young 52-year old with an engaging smile and strong physique, Lynch came to the area after working as a guide with top pros on challenging rivers like the Salmon, the Snake, Colorado and Gila. He began his Arizona business three years ago with customized private hikes for visitors who were staying at inns and B&Bs in the Sedona area, options that remain available.

“From that I began to feel my niche. Water is a big part of my life,” said Lynch. “I’ve been doing trips as a private guide for years, catering to people who didn’t want to do the McTour thing. I’ve worked on the rivers about 15-16 years, and I kept looking at the Verde River and wondered why no one was doing it.”

After a long process of obtaining permits through the National Forest Service, he said his company is now the “only” permitted licensee on the Verde River offering “boating in the desert.”

Lynch describes the beauty of this untapped resource that meanders through the entire Verde Valley with a college student’s passion. “I’m way into the valley. There’s so much to see. Here you have this jewel, an oasis in the desert.” 

Lynch and his team, head guide Mark Turner, office manager Leslie Huderle, and guides Emily Reeves and Dale Young, operate Sedona Adventure out of a building, dubbed “the boathouse” in West Sedona off Coffee Pot Drive across from Bashas Shopping Center.

“Everybody is an experienced river guide with good knowledge of the area, history, geology, anthropology; a few have grown up here,” Lynch explained. “We’re running every day. We have two vans, two trailers and 15 boats.”

Here is a sampling of available water trips:  

• Tubing: A day of water play on the Verde River - splash, paddle, swim and shoot water guns. Great for the entire family, this floating trip, on heavy duty, mesh covered tubes, is available during warm weather. Trips include life jackets, helmets for the kids, water canons, and snacks and/or lunch. Tubes can also be rented for use on the snow during winter months.
• Wine Lovers: “Water-to-Wine Excursion” is a guided one-hour float trip with a finale landing at the Alcantara Vineyard where boaters enjoy wine and cheese samples before being shuttled back to their original destinations; available year-round.
• Verde River Float Trip: About two-three hours by kayak, a gentle puppies-and-cotton candy trip with exciting thrills along Tarantula Falls, the Buda Drop, the Zen Bend and Monster Bone Springs; available year-round.
• Do It Yourselfer: Rent water equipment for a self-guided float trip to carry atop your vehicle; drop-off service also available. Camping: There are no National Forest developed campgrounds along the Verde River. However, dispersed camping is allowed with a 14-day stay limit outside of designated recreational sites. Pack-it-in, pack-it-out required.
• Custom: Name your game and Sedona Adventure Outfitters and Guides will customize a water float trip to suit your needs.
• Sunset Float Tours: Coming soon

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