Packing For An Overnight Rafting Trip: A Helpful Guide

The key to packing for any trip is to stick to the essentials. The last thing you want to do is overpack. This is especially true for an overnight rafting trip. You will have limited space for your gear, so it’s important to be selective when choosing what to bring on your trip. 

You also have the added challenge of keeping certain items dry, which can be difficult when you are on any kind of water expedition. The following list is meant to give you the basic items that you should take on an overnight rafting trip. 

• Basic toiletries: Dr.Bronner’s™ Soap can be used to wash your body, your dishes, your teeth, your laundry, and anything else you can think of. It is a great space saver and safe for the environment.
• Biodegradable toilet paper and toilet system
• Bug spray
• Camp chairs/stools and table* (a luxury item, can always pull up a log or nice rock if you don’t want the added weight) 
• Camping knives
• Cast iron skillet
• Chapstick
• Cooking supplies
• Coolers
• Firepan
• First Aid Kit
• Games*
• GPS and waterproof map
• Lighters/matches
• Lightweight, warm layers
• Personal floatation devices, aka PFDs
• Pillow* (if you are trying to pack light and wish to avoid carrying a pillow you can roll a towel or spare article of clothing to use as a modified pillow for the night.) 
• Plenty of food and snacks. It is ideal to prepare large meals ahead of time that can be thawed and reheated over a fire, or prepackaged/dehydrated foods that are easy to prepare and provide the nutrients and energy you need to keep going. If you are able to obtain MRE kits, they are convenient and taste pretty good. Just be sure to take all of your trash with you when you go. 
• Quick-dry towels
• Rain gear
• Rope
• Satellite phone for remote areas with no cellular service
• Shorts
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad* (not mandatory but does make your sleep quite a bit more comfortable, especially if you are over 35 years of age) 
• Strap for eyeglasses or sunglasses to keep them from forever living on the river’s bottom
• Socks
• Sunhat/baseball cap
• Sunscreen
• Swimsuit
• A strong tape for repairing shoes, clothing, holes, etc
• Tent*
• Trash system
• Umbrella or another form of shade
• Water
• Water/hiking shoes
• Waterproof camera*
• Waterproof containers and dry bags for things that absolutely cannot get wet
• Waterproof headlamp and/or another source of light for when the sun goes down 

Some of these items may not be mandatory but will make your trip more comfortable. The items in the list above with an asterisk are examples of items that you can live without, but make your trip easier and more comfortable. 

To save space and have a true outdoor experience, skip the tent and camping furniture. Pull up a log and sit around the fire and sleep under the stars. 

If you are taking a guided rafting trip, many of these items will be brought by the guide. You will only have to worry about your personal items, rather than supplying everyone with food and other supplies. 

Now that you know what items you should pack for an overnight rafting trip, you may be wondering what items are not recommended to bring along. Continue on to the next section for helpful tips.