Tyler Callantine, owner of Dinosaur River Expeditions, grew up traversing the Green and Yampa Rivers, feeling the spray of their pristine waters on his face and the butterfly-inducing ups and downs of their whitewater rapids. Today, he is helping the next generation discover these same adventures through a new high school outreach program.
Callantine and his wife, Jen, started Dinosaur River Expeditions to share their love of the Green and Yampa Rivers and the surrounding terrain in Utah’s Uintah County. Callantine’s company is the only locally-owned and operated outfitter in the area. They offer thrilling whitewater rafting excursions through the breathtaking Dinosaur National Monument, home to one of the largest natural displays of exposed dinosaur bones and thousands of years of Native American history.
For the maiden voyage of this new youth outreach project, the Dinosaur River Expeditions team will take Uintah High School students on a one-day rafting trip from Flaming Gorge Dam onto the Green River. Callantine plans to expand this into an annual tradition that will feature multi-day rafting options for local youth on the Yampa River and through the Gates of Lodore on the Green River.
Callantine’s goal is to expose young people in the area to the wonders in their own backyard. “We’re living near some of the world’s most majestic waterways, and some of the local youth have never been on them nor spent much time in the surrounding wilderness,” said Callantine. “We plan to change that through this new program.”
The youth who will be participating in the rafting trip are currently enrolled in the high school outdoor recreation class. As part of the curriculum, teacher Curt Hoffart takes his students on various hikes and camping trips throughout the trimester to familiarize them with the natural world around them.
Though some locals may occasionally take the beauties of Uintah County for granted, travelers come from around the world to see them up close. Dinosaur River Expeditions offers these worldwide visitors family river rafting adventures in Utah and Colorado with trips that range from one to four days.
The all-inclusive excursions include gear, camp amenities, food, and transportation to and from the river. The company also offers hiking trips to see spectacular natural arches, perfectly preserved dinosaur footprints, and ancient petroglyphs.
To learn more about Dinosaur National Monument or its high school outreach program, 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.
