Durango Rafting Trip Highlights
If you’re looking for the best things to do during your adventure to Durango, Colorado, a trip down the Lower Animas River should definitely be on your list! Our white water rafting trips in Durango take you right through the heart of town, and offers a perfect mix of exciting rapids for all experience levels. Locals and visitors alike love running this stretch for the exciting whitewater as much as its charming scenery and wildlife.
- The perfect mix of excitement and relaxation with a few fun class II & III rapids and calm scenic sections
- Learn about local history, culture, and ecology
- Professional, interpretive, and entertaining guides
- Help your guide paddle or sit back and relax
- See local wildlife such as mule deer, beaver, fox, blue heron, loons, ducks, and river otters
- Varying trip lengths and departure times
- Awesome for families and groups
Durango Rafting – Whitewater Rafting In Durango, CO
More About This Trip
Rafting in Durango is one of the most popular things to do for locals and visitors alike. Once you’re bounding downstream, it’s easy to see why everyone loves running the Lower Animas so much. The town run comes with a perfect mix of excitement with “Smelter,” “Santa Rita,” “Sawmill,” and “Pinball” rapids interspersed between relaxing sections to unwind and socialize.
Naturally, the guides are a big part of the experience! Durango raft guides have the down low on the area’s rich history, stories of local traditions, and topnotch dinner recommendations. They take care of the paddle commands and navigation, so no experience is necessary! We provide all you need including safety orientation and paddle instruction.
Since the Lower Animas is a free flowing river, water levels widely vary throughout the season. Spring is the best time to catch high flows and big rapids, while the flows gradually lower throughout summer and rapid ratings drop a ½ to a full notch. Don’t be discouraged when the flows get low— The river can become a very technical float trip with lots of rocks to maneuver around! We love it at all levels!
Our trips:
- The 3/4 Day option gives you the full Durango rafting experience with about 4 hours on the water and a riverside lunch. (6 hours total)
- The Half Day option offers the best bang for your buck, giving you around 2 hours and 15 minutes on the water. (4 hours total)
- If you just want a quick taste of what rafting is like, opt for the 1/4 Day option for 1 hour on the water. (2.5 hours total)
Trip Options
Durango Rafting Trips
Animas River
4hrs 15min on water, 5hrs 45min from meet to return.
- Standard Raft: Adult $149 | Youth $129
- Premium Raft: $189
Animas River
2hrs 15min on water, 3hrs and 45min from meet to return
Standard Raft: Adult $89 | Youth $79
Premium Raft: $119
Animas River
1hr on water, 2hrs and 20min from meet to return
- Standard Raft: $69 Adult l $59 Youth
- Premium Raft: $99/person
Durango Kayaking Trips
Animas River
4hrs 15min on the water, 5hrs 45min from meet to return. Lunch included.
- Per person: $189
Animas River
2hrs 15min on the water, 3hrs and 45min from meet to return.
- Per person: $119
Animas River
1hr on water, 2hrs and 20min from meet to return.
- Per Person: $99
Related Packages
Durango, CO
Explore La Plata Canyon in a jeep and raft the Animas River in Durango in one day!
- Adult: $239.20
- Youth: $204.70
Why Raft the Lower Animas with Mild to Wild?
Trip Provisions
- Free on site parking
- Onsite bathrooms and changing rooms
- Gift shop for your last minute needs
- Action photos of your trip available for purchase
- Neoprene wetsuits & boots available for rent
- Custom, quality, & Coast Guard approved river equipment
- Round trip transportation from meet location
Professional, Interpretive & Entertaining Guides
- Trip leaders average 2,000 river miles
- Certified in CPR & First Aid
- Pay incentives for higher certification levels including WFR, EMT, & Swift Water Rescue
- Dedicated company division to risk management, guided training, and continuing guide education
Our Commitment
to You
Our Client Reviews from Google
Kelly Cornelius2025-08-31Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a fun 1/4 trip over Labor Day weekend! Caleb was our guide and he was great. Hoping to do a multi day in Moab and will request him as our guide! Kim Webb2025-08-31Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was great, loved the jeep ride, we even saw a bear! I am so glad that we only did the train one way, it would have been a really long day if we had rode it both ways. It was really heard to pick the place to sit on the train trying to guess what the weather would be like, so far in advance. I wish we would have sat in the open air car , but I did see a lot of people standing up and may have blocked my view. Over all it was a great day!! Rusty Havener2025-08-30Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Lauren was an amazing guide... She was in charge and made us feel safe as well as having fun. 5 stars is not enough for her or the team Lacey Booth2025-08-29Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Did rafting today with Caleb as our tour guide. He is an epic guide and all though a short trip it was a lot of fun. Dennis Pocius2025-08-29Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A great guide can really elevate a tour, especially when they go the extra mile To make sure everyone feels informed and safe. Kat clearly knows her stuff! Sarah Wethington2025-08-29Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 10/10 experience!! We rafted late in the summer and were only able to do the quarter day. Can’t wait to go back for more!! Corbin was a great guide for our family!! Laura Isaacson2025-08-29Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend! Our guide Bella was amazing and gave us a lot of behind the scenes information we would have missed out on without the tour. We enjoyed our day with Bella! Laura Ulici2025-08-29Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a great time! Shout out to our guide Corbin! Hope you get that raffle prize
What are you waiting for? Call today (800) 567-6745 OR (970) 247-4789
Boat Options
We offer these boat options so that you can customize your Durango rafting trip to the experience you desire.
Lower Animas Boat Options Explained
Premium Raft
Premium Raft
• 5 Paid Seats is a Private Raft
• Option to Paddle or Relax
• Ages 4+
Standard Raft
Standard Raft
• Ages 4+
Single Person Kayak
Inflatable Kayak
• Instructional guide provided
• Increased adventure level
• Physical fitness required
• Ages 11+ or 5'2"
Payments & Cancellations
Payment Options
- 1/2 down, 1/2 charged 30 days prior to trip.
- 1/3 down with remaining balance charged in thirds.
- Call for other arrangements!
Free Courtesy Hold
We don’t want you to miss out on this trip so we’ll hold your spots, payment-free, for 24hrs while you make your final arrangements & prepare for payment.
Fees
In addition to the listed trip cost, we collect an additional 9% for River and Land Access Fees (ie. Forest Service, BLM, City, Private Land Use).
Cancellation Policy
- 60+ days: Receive a refund less $200 per person unrecoverable fees.
- 45+ days: Reschedule for another trip/date, or receive Mild to Wild gift certificate less $200 per person.
- Less than 45 days, unfortunately there will be no refund. Substitutions/name changes are allowed.
- RoamRight Travel Insurance is recommended to help cover unforeseen circumstances, such as cancelled flights, sickness or medical evacuations.
- Guests needing to be evacuated from the canyon will be charged a minimum of $1,000 per person.