Self-Guided Raft Trips
Power your own raft on an afternoon float trip on the mellow Class I-II rapids of the Deerfield River. This 2- to 3-hour trip through mild rapids is ideal for those who want to direct their own afternoon river experience. This is also our most economical way for groups of 6 or more to experience rafting on the Deerfield River.
This 9-mile self-guided raft trip begins a couple of miles upstream from our basecamp in Charlemont, MA. The trip finishes at the Number 4 dam, next to a bridge on Route 2 just upstream of Shelburne Falls.
The self-guided raft trip meets at 3:15 pm and usually finishes by around 7:00 pm. Minimum age for rafters on self-guided trips is 12 years old.
WHERE TO MEET
Self guided trips leave from our basecamp at Zoar Outdoor at the west end of Charlemont, Massachusetts. We are approximately 2 1/2 hours from Boston and 3 1/2 hours from New York.
- To get here from Boston take Route 2 west. Where Route 2 merges with Interstate 91 in Greenfield be sure to exit again onto Route 2 west (exit 26.) Zoar Outdoor is about 17 miles west of this exit. We're based in a red colonial on the north side of the road.
- To get here from New York City take Interstate 95 north to Interstate 91 north. Take exit 26 in Massachusetts and follow Route 2 west for about 17 miles. We're based in a red colonial on the north side of the road.
WHAT TO WEAR
Shorts and/or a bathing suit. On warm days a t-shirt is great, but for cooler days bring a wool sweater, fleece or other synthetic pullover, and a windbreaker or raincoat. For your feet, a pair of old sneakers you don't mind getting wet or watershoes. Wetsuits are available to rent for cooler days.
