Adventure Calls Outfitters, Western New York's premier river runners

Wetsuits are required in the early spring and late fall.
Wetsuit Rental.........................................$7.00
Wet Top Rental........................................$7.00
Wet Socks Rental (pair)...........................$2.50

(Please note - there is a $6.00 per car gate fee to enter the park. Organizations coming by bus pay $75.00, unless a copy of their tax-exempt certificate is provided to Letchworth State Park upon entering. With the certificate, the fee is $35.00)

A trip down the river through “The Grand Canyon of the East” provides memories that will last a lifetime and is the perfect trip for first-time rafters, youth groups, and families with children. After meeting at the South Poolhouse and changing into river apparel, you'll meet your trip leader. You’ll be issued a paddle and PFD, be given a safety talk, and then walk about 10 minutes to the river's edge. Five and one-half miles of spectacular scenery and fun rapids await you and your fellow paddlers. On warm days, you can cool off body surfing at "New Wave Rapids" or get soaking wet at "The Leap of Faith." With a little luck, you may even see some of the animals that inhabit the park. The park is home to beavers, deer, eagles, hawks, raccoons, and river otters, just to name a few. Upon reaching St. Helena, our bus awaits (weather conditions permitting) to bring you back to the office to change back into dry, clean clothes and to enjoy a light snack.

During the summer months, the river often becomes too low to raft. When this happens, we use canoes and/or sit on top kayaks in order to enjoy the gorge. The ride is calmer and may take a little longer than when we're rafting, but hey, that just gives us more time to enjoy ourselves. (It may also require you to get out of your boat at times to walk a short distance through shallow water.) We are solely reliant on rain in the watershed at our Letchworth site. Water levels will determine what type of craft we will be using.

Optional Features & Special Trips

Rafting/Barbecue Packages: Relax and unwind after your rafting experience with one of our delicious meals, prepared on site. There are several menu selections to choose from. Advanced reservations are required. A minimum party of eight is required. (Price includes trip.)

1) Hamburger/Hot-Dog..................$35.00 per person
2) Boneless Chicken Breast...........$37.50 per person
3) 8 ounce Strip Steak...................$40.00 per person

Rafting/Camping Package: This makes for a great weekend getaway! Enjoy a day of rafting, followed by a hearty supper and night of tent camping. Arise the following morning to a full breakfast and a second day of rafting or funyaking. If you prefer something a little different, there are a wide variety of other activities to choose from – an airplane ride over the gorge, high ropes course, horseback riding, or paintball! We provide all the group gear and do all the work; all you have to do is have fun! A minimum party of six is required. Reservations are required.
Cost: $95.00 per person

Interpretive Trips: Come explore the park from a perspective only we can give you. One of our naturalists will accompany the trip, offering narration during the frequent stops along the way as the beauty that is within the gorge unfolds before you. Included will be viewing the largest Heron Rookery in Western New York, an exposed geological fault line, and an active beaver pond. Lunch will be served in the canyon. A variety of topics are available, including park ecology and history, philosophical or religious perspectives, etc. A minimum party of six required.
Cost: $45.00 per person.

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Mother’s Day Special: Sunday, May 11 - Bring mom out for a day of rafting and if she's accompanied by at least two other family members, she is our guest for the day. As an added treat, when she arrives at the takeout at St Helena, we will present her with a bouquet of flowers.

Balloon Rally Dinner Trip: Saturday, May 24 (5:00PM) (* Please Note - this is a rafting trip through the gorge in the park. We are not riding in the balloons. Also, the balloons' direction of travel depends entirely on the prevailing winds. There is no guarantee the balloons will drop into the canyon but they usually do.)

On the weekend of May 23 – 25 more than a dozen hot air balloons will gather for the annual Red, White, & Blue Balloon Rally in the park. They launch from the Archery Field overlook each morning and evening and it is truly a sight to behold. Hundreds of people will clamor for a choice viewing spot up above, but only a select few will get the rare view we offer as each balloon drops into the gorge to see which pilot can get closest to the water before ascending out of the canyon. We will travel the river to the beach directly under the overlook and then stop for a delicious picnic supper. You’ll enjoy spectacular views and a delicious gourmet meal at the same time. This certainly will be an evening to remember!
Cost: $45.00 per person.

Raftin/Ridin' Roundup: Sunday, June 8 (10:30) What a better way to spend the day than to see the park from two distinctive viewpoints. In the morning you’ll go on a guide led horseback trail ride in one of the more remote areas within the park and in the afternoon you will be paddling through the deepest section of the gorge. In between, you’ll be treated to a delicious chicken barbecue prepared especially for the group. This trip will fill quickly so be sure to get your reservation in early. Meet at the Wolcott Farms Site Office, near Trailside Lodge, Letchworth State Park.
Cost: $75.00 per person, all equipment and meal included.

Father's Day Special: Sunday, June 15 - Now it's Dad's turn to be treated to rafting. The same deal as Mother's Day applies. Since we weren't sure what his reaction to flowers would be, upon reaching the takeout at St. Helena, Dad is given a commemorative coffee mug.

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Boat Rental Program:
Rent a canoe or sit-on-top kayak and go exploring on your own. Whether it’s a day trip on a local creek with a couple of friends or a family weekend on the lake, we have a boat to suit your needs. If paddling within Letchworth State Park, all persons renting a boat must adhere to park guidelines pertaining to river access and usage. Rentals must be made prior to 12:00 PM and must exit the river at St. Helena prior to 5:00 PM.

Adventure Calls Outfitters, Inc. reserves the right to refuse boat rental to any person(s) without cause or reason and all Adventure Calls Outfitters, Inc. activities take precedence for boat use. Livery service outside Letchworth State Park is available. Rental Prices include paddle gear.

Sit-on-Top Kayak Rental....................................$30.00 per day

As of 01/01/05, we no longer offer canoe rentals within Letchworth State Park. Individuals are welcome to rent canoes to paddle outside the park.

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Site #2 - Cattaraugus Creek - Class II/III+

Zoar Valley

(average duration of trip about 3 hours on water)

SCHEDULES AND RATES

March 22 through June 15 (water levels permitting), Saturdays and Sunday. Call for departure times. Weekday trips available upon special request, with advance notice. Cost: $40.00 per person, and includes hot soup on the river and a post-trip pizza party.

Due to the time of year, wetsuits are mandatory.
Wetsuit Rental......................................................$7.00
Wet Top Rental.....................................................$7.00
Wet Socks Rental (pair)........................................$2.50

As of 2006, we have joined forces with Zoar Valley Canoe & Rafting Company and are now working as one outfitter. This partnership allows our combined operation on Cattaraugus Creek to give you the best possible experience. Noticeable differences will include using self-bailing rafts and rescue kayaks on every trip. Additionally, we are providing white water helmets and recommending their use when paddling the upper section of the creek at above average river levels.

Early springtime rafting on the Cattaraugus Creek is not for everyone! It's not very warm and the rapids can be intimidating. However, water levels permitting, if you're adventurous, you will have the opportunity to paddle through the Zoar Valley State Forest Preserve, one of the most remote and pristine regions in Western NY.

The watershed for Cattaraugus Creek is comparatively small and as a result, the flows can be sporadic. The creek can be exciting one week and relatively dry the next. Conversely, it can be at an average level early in the day and following a localized heavy downpour, will turn into a raging torrent in a matter of hours. For this reason, we utilize two different sections of the creek, depending on water levels. When the creek is not dangerously high or too low we will run the upper section. On the other hand, should a “high flow event” be predicted or if the creek is at below normal levels, we will paddle the section from Gowanda to Versailles.

Having taken care of the obligatory paperwork and put on a wetsuit and pfd, you’ll board our bus for the 15-minute ride to the launch site. Upon arrival, the trip leader will give a safety talk, check everyone’s gear, and introduce you to your raft.

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The first hour of the trip allows you to gain confidence in your paddling abilities and enjoy some of the peaceful solitude within the Zoar Valley State Forest Preserve. After stopping for a hot cup of soup, the wild ride begins. The pace quickens after the South Branch of Cattaraugus Creek empties into the main channel. If the river is high, plan on experiencing the most exciting raft ride in Western New York! The rapids continually build, with names like “Pinball”, “Larry, Curly, and Moe”, and “Cruncher” jostling you about as you paddle frantically to keep pace with the guide’s instructions. Back in town, “Grand Finale Rapids” will test everyone’s mettle and skill, putting your heart in your throat. Upon reaching the takeout, it's just a short walk back to our offices where you can dry out, warm up, and calm down. Be sure to join us either upstairs in the guest lounge or next door at the Wicked Glen Restaurant and Tavern for the complimentary post-trip pizza party.

When we run the lower section of the creek the trip is about an hour quicker. The day begins with a short walk to the launch site just down the street from our office. Following introductions all around and a safety talk it’s time to paddle. This section of the creek offers class I and II rapids and the scenery is somewhat similar to the upper canyon section. One of the highlights of almost every Gowanda to Versailles river trip is the nesting eagles soaring overhead.
The bus will be at the takeout to bring everyone back to our office where dry clothes and pizza await. Later in the spring we also offer sit-on-top kayaking trips on this section for those of you who’d like a more intimate experience on the water.

Site #3 - The Salmon River - Class III

Salmon River

(Average duration of trip is 2 to 3 hours on the water.)

SCHEDULES AND RATES

* Note - Due to the unreliability of consistent water levels, there will be no scheduled trips on the Salmon in the early spring. Exclusive trips may be arranged with advanced notice.

Summer Release Schedule: July 05, 06, 19, & 20, August 02 and 03. Call for departure times. Cost: $40.00 per person.

Of the three rivers we raft on, the Salmon River has always been everyone's favorite. The reason is simple - guaranteed class III whitewater in warm weather makes it the optimal ride we offer. Your day starts by gathering at Brown's Family Campground as a meeting place prior to running the river (look for our bright blue bus parked out front). There is plenty of parking, clean rest rooms / changing areas, and best of all, we have the whole place to ourselves!

The Salmon is a controlled-release river, which means that water in a reservoir is allowed to flow into the river downstream, thus assuring you of a good trip. This makes it easier for you to plan a rafting trip several months in advance, knowing there will be actual whitewater the day you show up.

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Bathing suits and T-shirts comprise the apparel of choice in warm weather. We would suggest bringing along a nylon windbreaker if it’s a cool day. After completing the necessary pre-trip paperwork, it’s just a short bus ride to the launch site. After you've had a safety talk and the trip leader checks everyone’s gear, get ready to raft on some of the cleanest water in the Northeast.

The first hour of the trip allows you to take in some scenery and practice your paddling skills. Be sure to keep a keen eye peeled for low hanging branches and fallen trees in the river.

After passing the county recycling center, the ride gets more exciting. The pace of the river picks up and the little riffles you’ve been paddling through turn into actual rapids. Upon entering the village of Pulaski, rapids like "Firemen's Field", "Washing Machine", and "Titanic" follow almost one after the other to really get your adrenaline flowing!

Once you’ve reached the takeout, be sure to follow one of your guides back upstream along the river’s edge. This will give you the chance to cool off body surfing the “Black Hole Rapids” before the bus comes for the return trip back to our site office.

Optional Features & Special Trips

Rafting/Barbecue Packages: Relax and unwind after your rafting experience with a delicious meal, prepared especially for you by the staff of the Altmar Hotel. You can either eat at their spacious outdoor pavilion or have the meals delivered directly to the campground. There are several menu selections to choose from. A minimum party of eight is needed for this option and advanced reservations are required. (Price includes trip.)

1) Hamburger/Hot-Dog..........................$47.50 per person
2) Boneless Chicken Breast...................$50.00 per person
3) 8 ounce Strip Steak...........................$52.50 per person

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