The Best Whitewater Rafting in Colorado | Travel

Notice: Some tour suppliers on this record might have restricted or ceased operations attributable to COVID-19. Verify along with your tour operator about availability earlier than you e-book.

Whether or not you are a novice or an skilled whitewater rafter, these excursions have gotten you lined. U.S. Information, after contemplating skilled enter and shopper sentiment, decided the next rafting journeys are the most effective in Colorado. Whereas they’re provided in completely different components of the state and promise various ranges of problem, all characteristic skilled guides that can assist you navigate the rapids.

Rapids are rated on a six-level scale, starting from Class I (the best) to Class VI (thought of harmful and unnavigable). Firms sometimes determine the kind of rapids you may encounter on the journey inside their tour descriptions. Know that you just’re not more likely to expertise something increased than Class IV. Moreover, it is necessary to know that rafting expeditions have age and weight necessities. You will even be charged land and water entry charges, which profit state and/or nationwide parks associations.

Colorado Journey Heart – Clear Creek Newbie Rafting Journey

These with no earlier whitewater rafting expertise can take pleasure in each thrilling rapids and peaceable paddling on this outing. Sights alongside the course embody historic mining areas, together with the city of Idaho Springs, in addition to a water wheel. Previous patrons constantly name the guides skillful, personable and interesting. Excursions, which final roughly one-third of a day, are provided twice every day from late Might by way of early September beginning at 10 a.m. and a pair of p.m. Tickets begin at $56 for adults and $51 for kids 7 to 12. Journeys depart from Dumont, Colorado, which is situated about 35 miles west of Denver. Along with half-day journeys for extra superior rafters, Colorado Journey Heart affords different actions, comparable to zip traces, in addition to mixture packages.

Whitewater Rafting LLC – Full Day Rafting Journey

Navigate intermediate to extra intense rapids (Class III and IV) on this expedition by way of the Colorado River’s Shoshone Rapids in Glenwood Canyon. The roughly six-hour outing additionally consists of time on calmer waters, in which rafters might swim or change to inflatable kayaks, in addition to a sizzling catered lunch. In all, the journey covers 14 to 25 river miles, relying on situations. Guides not solely skillfully negotiate the waters; additionally they present historic details about the area, which contributors typically recognize. Charges begin at $104 for adults and $82 for kids 5 to 12. Journeys happen from Might by way of mid-September, departing at 9 a.m. from Memorial Day weekend to mid-August and at 10 a.m. earlier and later in the season. Journeys depart from Glenwood Springs, about 65 miles west of Vail. Whitewater Rafting LLC additionally affords shorter journeys in addition to personal excursions.

Royal Gorge Rafting and Zip Line Excursions – The World Well-known Royal Gorge

Experience the Arkansas River by way of the 1,200-foot deep Royal Gorge on intermediate- and advanced-level rapids (Class III and IV and, relying on the time of 12 months, V) together with the Sledgehammer and Sunshine Falls. Guides earn plaudits for his or her useful instruction and professionalism. This rafting journey is obtainable in half-day (three-hour) and full-day (six-hour) iterations. Tickets begin at round $89 for the previous and $149 for the latter. The worth of the longer outing consists of lunch. From April by way of September, excursions start at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., with further 10 a.m. and a pair of:30 p.m. departures on fashionable days. Full-day excursions begin at 10 a.m. from April by way of September. Journeys depart from Cañon Metropolis, which is about 45 miles southwest of Colorado Springs. Packages combining rafting with zip traces are additionally obtainable.

Aspen Whitewater Rafting – Slaughterhouse Falls

Deal with advanced-level (Class IV) rapids like Hell’s Half Mile, Slaughterhouse Falls and Entrance Examination on the Roaring Fork River throughout this half-day outing. Rafters often describe the guides as adept and pleasant. In addition they say the journey is exhilarating. Journeys are provided every day from mid-Might to mid-August with begin instances at 9:30 a.m. and a pair of p.m. Tickets begin at $103, which incorporates round-trip shuttle service to close by Aspen in addition to snacks and use of security gear. For water sport fans with much less whitewater rafting expertise, Aspen Whitewater Rafting additionally affords beginner- and intermediate-level excursions in addition to kayak journeys and personal excursions.

Misplaced Paddle Rafting – Bighorn Sheep Canyon Half-Day Rafting

Households with youngsters or novice rafters may need to e-book this expedition supposed to be an introduction to the game. Along with rafting by way of Bighorn Sheep Canyon, this three-hour tour consists of time for splashing in a swimming gap in addition to loads of wildlife watching. Previous patrons discover the guides exceptionally useful, educated and pleasant. Excursions happen two instances every day from late April by way of mid-September, departing from Cañon Metropolis at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tickets value round $65 for adults and $55 for kids 6 to 12. Full-day and in a single day rafting journeys in Bighorn Sheep Canyon, in addition to journeys in Royal Gorge can be found, as are mountain biking excursions.

Wilderness Conscious Rafting – Browns Canyon Half Day Journey

Travel roughly 10 miles of the Arkansas River, by way of Class III and IV rapids often known as Zoom Flume and Seven Stairs (amongst different colourful names), on this half-day rafting journey. Reviewers are impressed with the guides’ skillful navigation and entertaining commentary. Journeys are provided every day, starting at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., from Might 1 by way of early September. Tickets value round $85, which incorporates post-rafting snacks on the drive again to the corporate’s base in Buena Vista; the price additionally features a gentle breakfast for morning excursions. Buena Vista is situated about 55 miles south of Breckenridge. A full-day Browns Canyon rafting journey, amongst different choices, can be obtainable.

Noah’s Ark Colorado Rafting – Browns Canyon Full Day

Spend 4 to 5 hours rafting by way of the Rocky Mountain surroundings of Browns Canyon Nationwide Monument on this 16-mile journey, which additionally features a deli-style lunch. No prior expertise is required to experience the intermediate- to advanced-level (Class III and IV) rapids encountered on this stretch of the Arkansas River. Rafters recognize the guides’ professionalism and dedication to security. In Might and August, journeys being at 8 a.m.; in June and July, they begin at 8:45 a.m. It prices about $115 for adults and $105 for kids 6 to 12 to take part, and costs cowl tools use and meals. Along with a half-day model of the Browns Canyon rafting journey, Buena Vista-based Noah’s Ark affords backpacking and mountaineering actions, in addition to mixture packages.

Mountain Whitewater – Poudre Splash Half Day

Discover average to pretty highly effective rapids (Courses II, III and IV) on the Cache La Poudre River throughout this 8-mile experience. Guides constantly win excessive marks for his or her experience and entertaining banter. Excursions happen twice every day from mid-June by way of August, with assembly instances at 7:30 and 11:30 a.m. Tickets value roughly $70 and embody round-trip transportation through a scenic byway to the corporate’s base of operations in Fort Collins. (Outings final roughly 4 hours, with about two hours on the water.) Half-day rafting journeys with rapids of higher depth, in addition to full-day and two-day outings are additionally obtainable.

Gentle to Wild Rafting & Jeep Excursions – 1 Day Telluride Rafting Journey

Spend a day on Telluride’s San Miguel River splashing by way of delicate (Class II) and sometimes extra forceful (Class III) rapids. Surroundings alongside the way in which consists of pine bushes and pink rock partitions. Rafting journeys are provided every day from late Might by way of July, and the guides who conduct them are lauded for his or her informative commentary in regards to the area in addition to their adept dealing with of the raft. Excursions meet at 9:45 a.m. and the day’s actions conclude round 4 p.m. Tickets begin at round $150 for kids 10 and 11 and $170 for contributors 12 and older. The worth features a deli-style lunch. Journeys on different rivers in the state, some with extra vigorous rapids, are additionally obtainable, as are rafting journeys in Arizona and Utah.

Mountain Waters – Higher Piedra River

Paddle by way of each comparatively tame (Class II) and extra intense (Class III) rapids of the Higher Field of the Piedra River throughout this daylong expedition by way of a tree-lined canyon. Vacationers often describe the guides as personable, educated and useful. Journeys are provided every day in Might and June. Rafters meet on the firm’s retailer in Durango – a southwest city about 25 miles north of the New Mexico border – at 9 a.m., and return there round 4 p.m. The roughly $200 tour price consists of transportation, lunch and use of apparatus. Mountain Waters additionally affords journeys by way of the more difficult Decrease Field of the Piedra River and, when water is sufficiently excessive, journeys by way of each sections in addition to rafting journeys on different rivers.

Efficiency Excursions Rafting – Blue River Half Day

With primarily average (Class II and III) rapids, this journey is appropriate for rafters of all expertise ranges. It winds by way of Boulder Canyon and options the mountain surroundings of the Gore Vary and the Eagles Nest Wilderness Space – a spotlight for vacationers. Rafters describe the guides as extremely skilled and expert at navigating the rapids. Shuttles depart from the tour firm’s workplace in Frisco at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Anticipate to spend between 90 minutes and two hours on the water. Tickets begin at $82 for adults and $80 for kids. The season for this outing typically lasts from Might to early July, however can change from 12 months to 12 months relying on the water degree. Name the corporate earlier than you e-book to verify availability. Efficiency Excursions affords a number of different rafting journeys of various length and problem on programs apart from the Blue River.

Echo Canyon River Expeditions – Household Float

Should you’re looking for a relaxed raft experience on a relatively calm, 5-mile stretch of the Arkansas River, then this may be the suitable journey for you. The journey by way of the higher Bighorn Sheep Canyon affords views of pink rock cliffs and ponderosa pines and, probably, a few of the canyon’s namesake fauna. Guides are typically deemed skilled, pleasant and accommodating by reviewers. Youngsters as younger as 4 (or 5 when water ranges are excessive) can be part of in, and previous contributors discover the journey properly fitted to kids. Journeys, which final roughly three hours (with 90 minutes on the water), happen every day from late Might to mid-August. Verify-in is at 12:45 p.m. The roughly $80 per-person price consists of transportation from the tour firm’s workplace in Cañon Metropolis in addition to gentle snacks. Echo Canyon River Expeditions additionally has journeys with quicker rapids as properly packages combining rafting with zip traces.