Sophia May
Best Whitewater Rafting Colorado – The Rocky Mountains are famous for the epic whitewater rivers they produce, and have their fair share of the best whitewater rafting spots in Colorado. From the Arkansas River to the Animus River, there are more than a dozen commercial rafting rivers.
We highlight some of the most popular and best rivers in Colorado for white water rafting. You can find these waters in every corner of the Rocky Mountains. The main white water rafting season is from June to September, depending on availability. The resulting snowmelt made whitewater worse early in the season.
Best Whitewater Rafting Colorado
These rivers have floats for everyone, from beginners to seasoned adrenaline junkies to thrill-seeking families. You can opt for a half-day or full-day tour, and some rivers even offer overnight tours with camping. Any type of rafting trip you’re looking for can be found here. Business Guide provides all the necessary tools.
Colorado Whitewater Rafting
The mighty Arkansas River is the most rafted river in the state and the most famous in the country. The headwaters of the Arkansas River begin near Leadville, flow south through Buenavista and Nasropati to Salida, and flow east into Canon City, Pueblo, and the Plains.
.This advanced hike traverses narrow canyons and encounters Class IV and V rapids along the way. You’ll pass an amazing suspension bridge and maybe even a train.
In addition to Royal Gorge in Canon City, there are other famous rafting areas in the Rocky Mountains. Thrill seekers will be happy to tackle
Durango is the most populous mountain city in southwestern Colorado and one of the largest in the state, with approximately 20,000 residents. This historic town may be best known for its narrow-gauge railroad, but the Animas River provides energy and entertainment year-round.
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The joy of the Animas River is the lazy floats and flooded waters you can find on a half-day tour.
Conveniently located in two sections through downtown Durango. This is a float for the whole family, with thrilling rides through Durango Whitewater Park’s man-made rapids.
It starts north of town, near the mountain resort of Purgatory in Durango. It has the longest and most continuous commercially operated Class IV-V rapids in the United States at over 30 miles long. Wonderful and endless!
The most notorious river in Northwest Colorado is the Yampa. In fact, it is the longest undammed river in the state. Yampa River Rafting trips are typically easy, lazy multi-day rafts, perfect for peaceful relaxation and wandering in the Yampa Canyon.
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Since Vernal, UT is the most popular town around Dinosaur National Monument, many overnight tour groups meet and shuttle there. Rafting trips along the Yampa River offer the chance to encounter Class III and IV rapids, and the best time to run is from May to July. Most of them are multi-day camping and rafting trips, some are 4 or 5 days.
The Colorado River flows southwest from near the Kremlin to Ra, Glenwood Springs, Utah and beyond. From family-friendly hikes in Glenwood Canyon near Glenwood Springs to outdoor waterfalls to rafting down the Colorado River, there are so many great places to go.
Widely regarded as Colorado’s most extreme whitewater whitewater rafting for professionals, Gore Canyon is a far cry from your typical rafting. This epic and innovative whitewater stretch close to the Kremlin is reserved for experienced rafters and knowledgeable guides. There are many class IV and V rapids, which can be scary when the CFS and water levels are high.
The Pumphouse Recreation Site is located in the lower reaches of the Kremlin and Gore Canyon. It launches 3 boats for various excursions on Class II and Class III rapids. its located a few miles upstream
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Near Glenwood Springs. It’s very popular with friends and family looking for half-day and full-day tours. Your guide can take you to an ancient hot spring (not Ra) by the river. Because of the length of the river, it’s notoriously short-lived for rafting, though it’s also the perfect river for overnight camping/rafting trips.
The Upper Animas River is a tributary of the San Juan River that runs through downtown Pagosa Springs. It doesn’t necessarily offer the longest rafts or waterfalls in the river, but it’s a good one for beginners, with several months of introductory rafting trips each season.
It departs directly from Whitewater Park in downtown Pagosa. After you have a river, tackle another local river or two.
Above the San Juan River, there is another nearby tributary, the Piedra River. Deep into the North City National Forest. Originating in the central San Juan Mountains, the Piedra River flows southwest of Pagosa Springs, 20 miles west of Pagosa, and 40 miles east of Durango. It drains into the Navajo Reservoir and joins the San Juan River at Arbor.
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Located northwest of Pagosa Springs. The rides are technical and best suited for children 12 years and older. It includes many Class II, III and IV rapids. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to experience the best of Colorado, combine it with an overnight rafting trip on the Lower Piedra River (Box of the Piedra River) the next day. The outfitter will lead the tour, pitch the tent and cook for you.
.It’s steeper, with several big drops along the route to Box Canyon, which is thousands of feet deep. This category has a lot of excitement and is suitable for ages 16 and up. Piedra means “rock” in Spanish. Hence the name “Stone Wall River”. The action-packed hike through the Lower Piedra features Class IV+ rapids and multiple deep box canyon descents.
The Cache La Poudre River conveniently serves the Northern Front Range, offering excellent whitewater rafting west of Fort Collins. The river is called a poudre (“poo-der”) and there are a limited number of guided tours in clothing, so it’s not as crowded as the other rivers.
You can find both modest and wild rides for every type of rafter. They usually meet up west of Fort Collins and send you to the launch point further west.
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It’s a beautiful place. It is on the Cache La Poudre-North Park Byway, a National Scenic Byway that runs west from Fort Collins to Walden Pond. It is the only river designated as a National Wild Scenic River. Choose from a beginner/intermediate half-day on Class II and III rapids and/or an advanced Class III and IV on the Poudre River.
Rafting usually starts in mid-May and continues until early September for easy rafting and early August for difficult rafting.
The Dolores River is another beautiful whitewater rafting hotspot in southwestern Colorado, when it’s allowed. While there is only limited travel, usually starting in April and ending in June, it’s more of a hit or miss. Insiders know these are some of the best multi-day rafting trips in Colorado and beyond. The 175-mile white water rafting area takes you through breathtaking canyons and cliffs.
Raft Dolores anywhere from 3 to 10 days. Most tours usually depart from nearby Cortes, but longer tours meet in Durango and depart further afield.
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Keep in mind that this river has a limited window depending on conditions and water levels, so it’s usually in May. Along the way you’ll encounter class III rapids suitable for children ages 10 and up.
In Denver’s own mountain backyard, Idaho Springs offers the closest rafting adventure to the subway. Just 30 miles west of downtown on I-70, you’ll find this historic former mining town. Clear Creek offers half-day and full-day rafting trips. You can arrange tours for beginners, intermediate and advanced paddlers.
It is the river with the largest commercial flow in the state. It flows through a narrow canyon within Clear Creek Canyon with several technical rapids and steep drops. You’d never know it from the highway, but the river is a wild ride. With 80 percent of the county on public land, nature and wildlife abound.
The high snowpack of the Rockies provides the perfect recipe for the maze of rivers that flank the Continental Divide. In the spring, they fuel the whitewater rafting found on more than a dozen commercial rafting rivers. In addition to the above, the following are the best places to enjoy rafting sports.
Choosing The Best Colorado Whitewater Rafting Trip
Take a safe and exciting white water rafting trip down one of the Rocky Mountain’s rivers! Remember that each river has its own season between May and September, and some early rivers are very short at peak whitewater, so plan accordingly.
You can view water level data for Colorado rivers at USGS. Compare with the appropriate CFS rating for the river you will be rafting. Naturally your guide will take care of this for you, so call
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