We are Yonder Adventure Company

We wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves. Myself, Cate Handley, and Joe Goodwin are co-owners, guides, cooks, dishwashers, operations and marketing. We truly are a small business, and are happy to have a hand in every aspect of getting you on the river.

While my professional career has largely been retail management and display, I spent some formative seasons as a commercial river guide on the Ocoee River in college. That set up a lifelong love of whitewater, and I have been rafting, kayaking and canoeing streams in Arkansas and the US since. Last May, I captained a raft down 280 miles of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. What an experience!

Joe has been chasing whitewater for years along with his sons and many friends. He has also spent many hours teaching countless others how to kayak. He is a patient teacher and is always happy to show someone a new river. Joe is also a certified swift water instructor, sharing his respect and knowledge of water safety with others across the region. See a pattern?

Joe and I count ourselves as part of the small but mighty Arkansas whitewater community. We have traveled all over the country chasing whitewater, and along the way realized that we are both natural people gatherers, teachers and have similar business ideals. We decided that Arkansas needed a western style whitewater trip offered right here in our own back yard!

And here we are! Booking is open for limited fall trips now that the rain has filled the river up a bit. We are taking bookings for spring and summer of 2023! Check out the calendar here to see what is available.