Dustin Shephard

Dustin grew up in a small farming community of 400 people in Follett, Texas, and made his way to the stunning Royal Gorge in Canon City, CO, in 2018. He quickly found a home in the rafting community and a lasting love for rivers. During the same year, he completed guide training with Raft Masters and has been hooked on whitewater ever since! While 2023 will be his first year at Wet Planet, it will be his sixth year as a guide. Over those six years, Dustin guided on sections of the Arkansas and Gauley Rivers while taking some favorite personal trips through the Upper Yough, Gore Canyon, Roaring Fork, and Salt Rivers. 

During the winter, Dustin works as a snowmobile guide in Salida, CO, at Monarch Snowmobile Tours. In 2022, he accepted the head guiding position and looks forward to seeing what the snow will be like next year, especially after such a deep 22/23 season! Through the seasonal outdoor community, Dustin consistently feels inspired to continue pushing himself, trying new things, chasing adrenaline, and celebrating with the community. One of his favorite aspects about guiding is the ability to meet new people across the country while finding out they’re all interconnected through friends, companies, rivers, and mountains. Join Dustin on the White Salmon this year, and fuel your stoke of whitewater and love for the outdoors!