Bookings Policy | Rio Epic

bookings, payments & cancellations

Here you can find info on our bookings policy, payment info along with our cancellation policy on guide trips booked.

payment types

We accept checks, Venmo, Zelle as well as credit card and ACH bank debits through a payable invoice that is sent via email.

Credit card payments do have a 3% convenience fee. ACH payments from the payable invoice are a fee-free transaction. Gratuities for the guides as well as fishing license are not included in the guide fee.

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Rio Epic trip policies & bookings

Our policies are to help protect the Rio Epic guides from last minute cancellations as well as give all of our amazing guests the security they are booked and locked in on the schedule. If you have any questions please reach out.

Booking policy can change at any given time, but it will be fair. Policy changes will be date stamped. All trips booked prior to the change will fall under that policy.

booking policy

March 17 2025

Cancellation Policy is as follows for all trips excluding Rio Grande float trips, group trips, pack trips as well as REO kids camps. They each have different policies and are listed below this one.

Cancellations made 21 days outside of the trip(s) booked will not owe a cancellation fee or will be refunded 100% of the deposit (if a deposit or payment was made).
Cancellations made 20-15 days prior of the booked trip date will owe a 25% cancellation fee of the entire trip(s) booked. If a deposit over that amount was made the remaining amount of the deposit will be refunded.
Cancellations made 15-10 days prior of the booked trip(s) date will owe a 50% cancellation fee of the entire trip(s) booked.
Cancellations made 10 days prior of the booked trip(s) date will owe a cancellation fee that is 100% of the entire trip(s) booked. This includes last-minute cancellations and "No Shows" on the day of the trip. Friendly reminder, there is a short window for our professional guides to make a living so please keep that in-mind.

Full or remaining balances for all guide fees, add-on participants, private land fees and taxes will be calculated and be due at the end of the guide trip(s). Those payments will be confirmed and/or collected by the guide or the office.

Taxes and fees ($50 per trip/guide) will be excluded from the total amount owed for cancelled trips. If taxes and fees were collected prior to the cancelled trip(s) it will be deducted from the total amount owed for cancelled trip(s). Guests can fill cancelled guide trips by having friends, family or colleagues take their place to avoid paying part of or the full cancellation fee.

policy for Rio float trips

Our guided float trips on the Rio Grande that fall in the time slot between late May, June and late July are some of our busiest times of the season. Rio trips are one of our most requested trips and hardest slots to secure. With that we ask for full payment prior to the trip. As a "thank you" for your pre-payment for your guide trip(s) the guide fee will be discounted and billed at our 2023 rates. $100 savings for each day booked!

An invoice will be emailed and guests will have the option to pay via a credit card or ACH debit from their bank account. Each invoice will have a custom due date set for 20 days. If payment is not made by the due date the rate will default to our 2024 rates and will be due 2 weeks before the scheduled guide day(s).

Cancellations: Trips canceled before May 15 will receive 50% of the payment back. Any trip cancelled after May 15th will forfeit their funds and dates booked. As always, guests are welcome to have a friend, family member or colleague fill the spot to avoid losing funds.

Payments are easy and secure. All you have to do is click the Pay Now button at the top of the invoice. Guests will have the option to click credit card (3% convenience fee) or opt for a fee-free transaction by selecting an ACH debit from your bank account. You will need to authorize your bank, but is quick and safe. Venmo is also an option and can be arranged at the time of booking.

Taxes and fees will be excluded from the total amount owed for cancelled trips. Guests can fill cancelled guide trips by having friends, family or colleagues take their place to avoid paying part of or the full cancellation fee.

policy for kids camps

For REO's kids Camp Wannawannacatchem' we will send an invoice via email at the time of your booking. It will detail the week(s) you booked for your child as well as additional information. Payment will be due by July 30th.

Cancellations made before July 15th will receive 50% of the camp registration back.
Cancellations after July 15th will forfeit their funds and the childs spot on the roster. You can avoid losing funds by having another child take the spot of the one being cancelled.

Payments are easy by clicking the Pay Now button at the top of the invoice. Guests will also have the option to click credit card (3% convenience fee) or opt for a fee-free transaction by selecting an ACH debit from your bank account. You will need to authorize your bank, but is quick and safe. Venmo is also an option and can be arranged at the time of booking.

policy for pack trips

There are a few moving parts when it comes to our pack trips. The slot you book is very much custom to you and your group. The outfitter (packer) and you guides Rio Epic carve out this time and changes are hard. Cancellations, and yes they happen, but these trips are difficult to rebook, especially last minute.

At the time of booking 75% of the trip is required. The remaining balance is due a week ahead of the trip.

Cancellations made a month before the trip will receive 50% of the fee back.
Cancellations made within a month of the trip forfeit the 75% paid at the time of the booking.

Payments are easy by clicking the Pay Now button at the top of the invoice. Guests will also have the option to click credit card (3% convenience fee) or opt for a fee free transaction by selecting an ACH debit from your bank account. You will need to authorize your bank, but is quick and safe. Venmo is also an option and can be arranged at the time of booking.

waivers & disclosures

We fish in all conditions: sun, rain or snow and in all river conditions regardless of low, high or perfect flows. However, if conditions are deemed too dangerous to fish by Rio Epic management, your guide or a government agency there will be no charge for the guide day or a cancellation fee. If there was a deposit or a full payment made a refund will be issued.

There is inherent risk in taking a guided trip. Anyone under the age of 18 is considered a minor. A signed waiver is required for each client. Minors must have a waiver signed, without exception, by either a Parent or Legal Guardian. Friends of the family cannot sign a waiver for a minor. Waivers will be signed prior to the trip. A waiver can be requested by mail (email) prior to the trip or filled out the day of the trip.

All or part of Rio Epics operation is conducted on Public Lands under special permits from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife as well as Navajo Lake State Parks.

Regulatory Information: Section 12-145-108(1)(c) and 1(d), C.R.S. - Rio Epic Outfitters LLC is insured through Bissell Insurance Agency/The Hanover Insurance Group and bonded with Western Surety Company. Proof of bond and insurance is available upon request (Oral or Written). The activities of outfitters are regulated by the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Rio Epic is an equal opportunity provider

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