Rentals: 1-Day – 9′ Mini Me Inflatable Raft & Assessories 2-4 persons

A small raft can bring you closer to the Arkansas River than a big commercial boat. This 9-foot Hyside Mini Me carries two people and a cooler or dry bag with ease, yet remains compact enough for a self-guided float. With an experienced paddler at the helm, it is stable, playful, and capable of handling real rapids.

I like the simple setup: two PFDs, two helmets, and two adjustable paddles are included, and the friendly staff prepare the gear for pickup. I also like the freedom to choose your own river section and pace. The catch is important: you need river experience, your own transportation, and a plan for the launch, takeout, and vehicle shuttle.

Key points to know

• A true two-person raft: Two adults fit comfortably with a dry bag or cooler, while four people will be packed closely together.
• Self-guided river time: No guide, lesson, transportation, or launch-site delivery is included.
• Pickup is in Nathrop: Collect the gear at Dvorak Expeditions, about a short drive from Buena Vista.
• Gear included: The rental comes with two PFDs, two helmets, and two adjustable paddles.
• Plan for transport: Bring tie-downs for a vehicle, or deflate the raft and store it inside for safer transport.
• Late return costs extra: Return the raft before 5 PM, or pay $25 to bring it back by 9 AM the next morning.

Why a Mini Me raft suits a self-guided Arkansas River day

The appeal here is control. You are not joining a large boat with a fixed schedule and a guide calling every move. You pick up a compact raft, carry it to your chosen launch point, and make your own river day, provided you know how to read the water and manage the boat.

The Mini Me is only 9 feet long, but its small size is useful. It fits into places that feel awkward in a larger raft, and it is easier to handle at the shoreline. The boat is also described as surprisingly stable for its size. Keep it pointed straight and it is difficult to flip or wrap on rocks, though that is not a substitute for good judgment or river skills.

I would think of this as a rental for competent paddlers, not an introduction to whitewater. The operator says guiding experience is necessary, and lessons and guided trips are separate options. If you have never handled a raft in moving water, book instruction instead of treating this as a casual equipment rental.

Picking up the raft at 9 AM in Nathrop

Your day begins at Dvorak Expeditions, 17921 US Highway 285, Nathrop, Colorado 81236. Rentals are available daily, with pickup beginning at 9 AM. The activity ends back at this same meeting point, but your actual river launch and takeout are your responsibility unless you arrange extra services.

At pickup, you can take the raft fully inflated or rolled up with a pump. The first choice saves setup time at the river, but it creates a transport problem. A fully inflated raft needs suitable space, a pickup, or a secure roof arrangement. If you carry it on a vehicle, you must supply the tie-down straps.

The safer option for many people is to take it deflated, inflate it near the river, and store it inside the vehicle afterward. The company may help rig the boat to your vehicle, but it accepts no responsibility for equipment-related damage to your car. That warning matters. A rushed roof load can turn a good-value rental into an expensive repair.

The staff provide the raft and included safety gear, but you should confirm any special equipment before arriving. Extra PFDs, wetsuits, helmets, paddles, pumps, straps, and coolers cost more and may not be on site without advance arrangements.

Choosing a river section and planning the float

This is not a fixed sightseeing route. You decide where to put in and take out, so the quality of the day depends heavily on your river plan. A previous self-guided outing used the stretch from Salida to Rincon and took about four hours at a flow of 700 cubic feet per second. That example gives you a useful sense of timing, but it should not be treated as the standard route for every rental.

Water flow changes the character of the river. The reported 700 cfs conditions produced a float with enough action for a family and enough time for a roughly four-hour trip. Your own route may take more or less time depending on distance, current, stops, paddling skill, and water conditions.

Before leaving the rental shop, settle four practical questions:

• Where exactly will you launch?
• Where exactly will you take out?
• How will the vehicle get from one point to the other?
• How long will the river section take at current conditions?

The company can arrange gear drop-off and pickup in the upper Arkansas River area for an additional cost. Vehicle shuttles from put-in to takeout are also available by arrangement, with the price depending on the locations. These are vehicle shuttles only. People are not shuttled, so do not assume the company will transport your group between river access points.

This setup works best when your party already understands the river corridor. If you need help choosing a section, setting up the boat, or learning basic technique, ask about a lesson or guided trip. Those services include transportation to and from the site, but they are not part of the $175 rental.

What the raft feels like on the water

With two adults aboard, the Mini Me has enough room for a dry bag or cooler without turning the cockpit into a storage pile. The boat can take up to four people, but that arrangement is best viewed as a tight emergency capacity rather than a comfortable plan for a long float.

Two paddlers can keep the raft straight and respond to the current. That matters because the boat is short. A larger raft may forgive a poor angle for a moment, while this one reacts quickly to steering. Keep the bow aligned with the current and use your paddles together when approaching moving water.

The raft is described as hard to flip and difficult to wrap on rocks when handled properly. Still, rapids require attention. You need to know how to read the current, avoid hazards, and recover if someone falls out. The included helmets and PFDs are valuable protection, but they do not replace training.

I like the balance of size and stability here. You get a boat that feels lively rather than cumbersome, with enough capacity for a pair and their basic gear. The same compact size that makes it fun also means you have less room to shift around, less storage space, and less margin for careless loading.

The gear included, and what you still need

The $175 group price covers the Hyside Mini Me raft, two helmets, two PFDs, two adjustable paddles, and taxes, fees, and handling charges. For two people, that is a reasonable package if you already have a vehicle and the skills to run your chosen section.

You still need to bring or arrange several basics:

• Transportation for yourself and the equipment
• Tie-down straps if carrying the raft on a vehicle
• Appropriate footwear
• Swimwear
• Sun protection
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses keepers
• Any extra paddles or safety gear for more than two people

The inclusion of only two PFDs and two helmets is a clear signal about the ideal group size. Four people may fit in the raft, but the standard kit is set up for two. Contact the operator before arrival if you need extra equipment, since additional items may not be available at the shop that day.

Footwear deserves more thought than it often gets. You need something suitable for getting in and out of the river and for walking around the launch and takeout areas. Swimwear and sun protection are sensible even on cooler days, since you can get wet and spend several hours exposed to the Colorado sun.

Timing the four to six hour outing

The advertised use time is roughly four to six hours. That gives you room for a half-day float, but it does not mean you can keep the raft until evening without watching the clock. Rentals should be returned before 5 PM.

A 9 AM pickup gives you a full day to load the gear, drive to the river, launch, float, take out, and return the equipment. That sounds generous, but a self-guided outing includes tasks that a commercial trip handles for you. You must organize the vehicle, inflate or load the raft, manage your own river access, and return the equipment.

If the day runs late, you may keep the raft overnight and return it by 9 AM the next morning for an additional $25. This is a useful backup, not something to assume is included. If your route is long or your group likes to stop often, plan the schedule before launching.

The rental operates in all weather conditions, so dress for the forecast and be ready for conditions to change. A storm, cold water, or strong sun can alter how comfortable the trip feels. You are responsible for making the safety call on the river.

Dogs, families, and group size

The small raft can work well for a pair with a dog, provided the animal and the group are comfortable with moving water. A previous four-hour float included dogs, and one person on a stand-up paddleboard made the trip too, though not always upright. That detail gives you a useful sense of the outing: it can suit a relaxed family-style river day, but the water still has enough action to humble a paddler.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The operator also recommends a moderate level of physical fitness. You will need to carry or load equipment, paddle, manage the raft, and handle the practical work at the river.

For two people, the boat offers the most comfortable arrangement. A group of three or four should expect close quarters and should confirm that everyone has the required safety equipment. Four people in a 9-foot raft may be possible, but it is not the setup I would choose for a long or demanding section.

The real value of the $175 price

At $175 per group of up to two, the price becomes easier to judge when you separate the equipment from the services. You are paying for the raft, basic safety kit, paddles, and the freedom to create your own day. You are not paying for a guide, transportation, a lesson, a shuttle for people, or delivery to the river.

For a pair with a vehicle, river experience, and a clear plan, this can be good value. You avoid the cost of a full guided trip and gain more control over your route. You also get equipment that is small enough to transport without the logistics of a large raft.

For first-time paddlers, the value is less clear. You may need to add a lesson, arrange a vehicle shuttle, pay for delivery, or rent extra gear. Those costs can change the final price quickly, so ask for the total before you commit.

The $25 overnight option is modest, but the non-refundable booking terms deserve attention. Once booked, the rental cannot be canceled or changed for a refund. Check your group, transport, weather plan, and river section before paying.

Who should book this rental

I would recommend this rental to two people who already know how to handle a raft or similar craft in moving water. It also suits families with an experienced adult at the controls, and groups that want a flexible Arkansas River day instead of a scheduled commercial trip.

You should think twice if you need instruction, hotel pickup, a guided route, or someone else to manage the river logistics. None of those services comes with the basic rental. The company offers lessons and guided tours, but you must book them separately.

The ideal renter is organized. You know your launch point, takeout, water conditions, vehicle plan, and return time. You are also comfortable carrying gear and making decisions without a guide beside you.

Should you book the Mini Me raft?

Book it if you want a compact, lively raft for two and already have the skills to run your chosen Arkansas River section. The included PFDs, helmets, and paddles make the base package practical, while the small boat gives you a more personal day on the water.

Skip the basic rental if you are hoping for a guided introduction or easy door-to-door service. In that case, arrange a lesson or guided trip instead. For everyone else, this is a flexible way to spend four to six hours on the river, with enough stability for experienced paddlers and enough responsibility to keep the decision firmly in your hands.

FAQ

Where do I pick up the raft?

Pickup is at Dvorak Expeditions, 17921 US Highway 285, Nathrop, Colorado 81236. Rentals are available daily starting at 9 AM.

How many people fit in the Mini Me raft?

The raft comfortably accommodates two people and a dry bag or cooler. Up to four people can fit, but the space will be very tight.

What equipment is included?

The rental includes one Hyside Mini Me raft, two helmets, two PFDs, and two adjustable paddles. Taxes, fees, and handling charges are also included.

Do I need my own transportation?

Yes. Transportation to and from the river and transportation of the equipment are not included. You must also arrange your own route between the launch and takeout points.

Can the company deliver the raft to the river?

Gear drop-off and pickup in the upper Arkansas River area are available for an additional cost. Arrange this before your arrival.

Are vehicle shuttles available?

Yes. Vehicle shuttles from the put-in to the takeout can be arranged, with the cost depending on the locations. These shuttles move vehicles only, not people.

When must I return the raft?

Return it before 5 PM on the rental day. You can keep it overnight for an additional $25 and return it by 9 AM the next morning.

Are lessons or guided trips included?

No. Lessons and guided tours are not included in the basic rental. Guiding experience is necessary for the self-guided option, and children must be accompanied by an adult.