Planning ยท Guide tipping
How much to tip a rafting guide on an overnight trip
What nine outfitters suggest, who gets the tip, and when to hand it over.
Quick answer
Plan to tip your rafting guides 10 to 15 percent of the trip price on a multi day trip, the most common suggestion among the outfitters we checked. Some give 15 to 20 percent, and Holiday gives about $30 to $35 per guest per day. Hand it to the trip leader on the last night or at the end; it is split among the crew.
What outfitters say
Tipping guidance from nine outfitters
| Outfitter | Suggested tip | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| OARS | 10 to 15% | Suggests a gratuity of 10 to 15 percent of the trip cost, given to the trip leader and shared with guides and support staff. | See OARS on tipping |
| Western River Expeditions | 10 to 15% | Calls 10 to 15 percent of the trip cost the industry standard, at your discretion, handed to the trip leader on the last night and split equally with the crew. | See Western on tipping |
| ROW Adventures | 10 to 15% | Suggests 10 to 15 percent of the trip price, calls it a personal decision, and splits tips equally among the guides. | See ROW on tipping |
| Holiday River Expeditions | 10 to 15%, or $30 to $35 a day | Gives 10 to 15 percent, or about $30 to $35 per guest per day, as the average, and says most guides take Venmo as well as cash. | See Holiday on tipping |
| Canyoneers | About 10% | Says an average of around 10 percent is the norm, in cash or a check to the trip leader, at the end of the trip or mailed later. | See Canyoneers on tipping |
| ARTA | 10 to 20% | Says a typical tip ranges from 10 to 20 percent of the trip cost, and that tips are never expected. | See ARTA on tipping |
| Hughes River Expeditions | 15 to 20% | Gives 15 to 20 percent of the trip cost as the normal range, shared evenly by the guides and the camp helper. | See Hughes on tipping |
| Mild to Wild Rafting | 15 to 20% | Lists gratuities under what is not included, with 15 to 20 percent as a standard tip. | See Mild to Wild on tipping |
| Adrift Adventures | 20% for extraordinary service | Recommends 20 percent for extraordinary service, and says tipping is optional and at your discretion. | See Adrift on tipping |
From each outfitter's own site or trip notes, checked October 11, 2026. None of the pages showed a date for its tipping advice.
Worked examples
What 10 to 15 percent looks like
| Trip | Listed price | 10 to 15% | $30 to $35 a day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogue, 3 days, 2 nights | $1,249 (OARS, 2027) | $125 to $187 | $90 to $105 |
| Hells Canyon, 3 days, 2 nights | $1,425 (Hells Canyon Raft, 2027) | $142 to $214 | $90 to $105 |
| Middle Fork Salmon, 5 days, 4 nights | $3,350 (Hughes, 2026) | $335 to $502 | $150 to $175 |
Per guest, our arithmetic on prices listed on outfitters' own sites, checked September 2026. Percentages are of the listed trip price before fees.
How it works
Who gets the tip, and how to give it
One tip, shared. You give one tip to the trip leader, who splits it among the crew. OARS, ROW and Hughes say the split includes support staff, such as drivers, food shoppers or a camp helper.
The last night or the end. Western and Grand Canyon Expeditions say to give it on the last night. ROW and Canyoneers say the end of the trip.
Cash or a check. Bring cash or a check made out to the trip leader, not to the company. Holiday says most of its guides take Venmo.
Budget for it. The tip is not in the listed price. Add it when you work out what the trip costs.
Questions
Guide tipping questions
How much do you tip a rafting guide on a multi day trip?
The nine outfitters we checked suggest 10 to 20 percent of the trip price. Four give 10 to 15 percent, the most common range, and Canyoneers gives about 10 percent. Holiday River Expeditions also gives a per day figure of about $30 to $35 per guest.
Is the tip included in the trip price?
Not on the trips we checked. Mild to Wild lists gratuities under what is not included, and our river pages list guide tips among the extras to budget for.
Do I have to tip?
Outfitters call it your choice. ARTA says tips are never expected, Western says tips are at your discretion, and Adrift calls tipping optional. Holiday says tipping is expected.
Who do I give the tip to?
The trip leader or lead guide. OARS, ROW, Western, Holiday, ARTA, Grand Canyon Expeditions and Adrift all say tips go to the trip leader.
Is the tip shared with the whole crew?
Yes, at every outfitter we checked that explains it. Tips are split among the guides, and OARS, ROW and Hughes include support staff such as drivers, food shoppers or a camp helper.
When do you tip on a rafting trip?
At the end. Western and Grand Canyon Expeditions say the last night of the trip; ROW and Canyoneers say the end of the trip, and Canyoneers also accepts tips mailed afterward.
Can I tip with a card or an app?
Plan on cash or a check. Outfitters we checked ask for cash or a check made out to the trip leader. Holiday says most of its guides have Venmo.
Should I tip the outfitter's office or drivers?
Usually the trip leader shares the tip. ROW includes drivers and food shoppers in the split, and OARS includes support staff.
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