Wannabe rafters looking for a good guide service in Washington have plenty to choose from. Some offer plenty of amenities, like lavish post-trip feasts, while others are more bare-boned. Make safety a top priority, and remember: No outfitter runs every river, and some are more experienced on some rivers than others. Ask questions.

Here are a few established, reputable guide services, including the name of the owner/operator, their base of operations and their contact/Web information.

Expect to spend $70-100 per person. You'll be issued wetsuit and booties (if you're not, demand a refund and exit stage left), possibly receive a mid-run snack and possibly a post-run barbecue/meal. (Some outfitters have one price with the culinary amenities and one without).

WASHINGTON

* Action Rafting Company: 888-697-7008, D.J. Tuttle, Cashmere, www.raftarc.com

* All Adventures Rafting: 877-641-7238, Karen Driver, White Salmon, www.alladventures.net

* Blue Sky Outfitters: 800-228-7238: Brad Sarver, Seattle, www.blueskyoutfitters.com

* Downstream River Runners: 206-906-9227, Casey Garland, Seattle, www.riverpeople.com

* North Cascades River Expeditions: 800-634-8433, Jerry Michalec, Arlington, www.riverexpeditions.com

* Osprey Rafting: 800-743-6269, Gary Planagan, Leavenworth, www.ospreyrafting.com

* River Riders: 800-448-7238: Jim Behla, Leavenworth, www.riverrider.com

* Wildwater River Tours: 800-522-9453, Rod Amundson, Federal Way, www.wildwater-river.com

IDAHO

* Canyons Incorporated: 888-634-2600, Les Bechdel, McCall, www.canyonsinc.com. (Of note: Bechdel is the co-author of "River Rescue," an industry standard on safe river travel.)

* Hughes River Expeditions: 800-262-1882, Jerry Hughes, Cambridge, www.hughesriver.com

* Warren River Expeditions: 800-765-0421, Dave Warren, Salmon, www.raftidaho.com

OREGON

* River Drifters: 800-972-0430, Tim Thornton, Maupin, Ore., www.riverdrifters.net

* High Desert River Outfitters: 800-461-5823, Gary Schoenecker, Maupin, Ore., www.highdesertriver.com

NOTE: Several Washington outfitters, notably All Adventures Rafting and Downstream River Runners, also run selected trips in Oregon. All Adventures has been running trips on the Deschutes for many years, while Downstream's Casey Garland is an old hand on the Owyhee and Grande Ronde.