Start a full-service rafting outfitter with a riverside base

Vacationing families, tour groups, school and corporate groups, and walk-in tourists, plus bookings via online travel sites and local lodging partners.

Per-person trip fees across multiple departures a day, plus group and private charters, photos, food, gear rental and merchandise.

• Experienced river guiding and safety management
• Hiring and training seasonal staff
• Marketing to tourists and partners
• Managing bookings, fleet maintenance and budgets

• Commercial permits and outfitter licenses may be capped or take a long time; some operators buy or take over an existing permit, so check rules carefully
• Zoning, building and health department rules for a base, restrooms and any food service, which vary by county and city
• High insurance costs and liability exposure; check requirements for guides, vehicles and passengers on shuttles, including any commercial driver rules
• Workers' compensation insurance and employment rules for seasonal guides and staff
• A bad water year, wildfire smoke or a safety incident can hurt a whole season, so keep cash reserves
• Ongoing costs for boat repair, replacement gear and vehicle upkeep

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $80,000 to $300,000, depending on whether you lease or own the base, the size of your fleet and your shuttle vehicles. Ongoing costs like boat repair, replacement gear and vehicle upkeep also need budgeting.

Monthly revenue is an estimate, typically around $20,000 to $100,000, depending on trip volume, group bookings and season conditions. A bad water year, wildfire smoke or a safety incident can hurt a season, so keep cash reserves.

Check whether commercial permits and outfitter licenses are capped or slow to obtain; some operators take over an existing permit. Also check zoning, building and health rules for your base, insurance for guides, vehicles and passengers, and workers' compensation for seasonal staff.