About This Trip
Hop on a half day trip and enjoy Durango like a local! This stretch takes you through a variety of rapids before floating through the scenery south of town. Along the way you’ll learn the history of the region and stories of local traditions!
Later in the season, water levels do get lower and all rapids are usually downgraded a full Class. This causes the river to become more technical as you bounce and spin-off of rocks that are usually submerged in the river.
A Durango rafting half trip offers a great mild trip option for ages 4+, but if you’re looking for a bit more adventure, try your hand at Inflatable Kayaks!
Durango Rafting Half Day trips start at $79.00.
- See a different and more beautiful view of Durango
- Get the perfect mix of excitement through fun rapids and relaxation during calm sections
- Learn the wild history of the town and Southwest Colorado
- Experience the river with our professional, fun, and entertaining river guides
- Smelter White Water Park’s Class III splashes
- Wildlife: Deer, beaver, fox, birds of prey, river otters
- A team oriented experience in helping the guides paddle and navigate down the river
- A great trip that pairs perfect with our other Durango tours
Durango Rafting – Whitewater Rafting In Durango, CO
Itinerary & Map
Booking Options
Standard Rafts
15 foot self-bailing rafts (up to 10 guests).
We use Oar Boats or Paddle Boats on these trips depending on water levels. Oar Boats, typically used at high water, come with a frame that give the guide more control with oars. With Paddle Boats, typically used at low water, the guide just has a paddle and relies on you to help get through the rapids!
- Ages 4+
Premium Rafts
Experience a smaller guide to guest ratio (up to 6 guests) and a more personalized trip.
Just like the standard option, we use 15 foot self-bailing rafts with Oar or Paddle rig set up depending on water levels. You’ll just have less folks in the boat with you!
- Ages 4+
Per Person
$129
Inflatable Kayaks
Up the adventure level!
This could be you; get ready for a great workout as you navigate your own kayak through the Lower Animas!
- Ages 12+
Per Person
$129
Reviews from our Guests
Posted on Bob Hoffman2025-10-27Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Miles was entertaining and very knowledgeable. He made the trip fun and worthwhile. I would use MILD to Wild nest time in the area.Posted on Burt T2025-10-26Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and I had a Mesa Verde van tour in late October with Miles. He provided outstanding information about the archeology, indigenous peoples, terrain, climate throughout our tour. I also called the phone line and spoke with Tim about hiking opportunities in the Durango area. He listened and gave us effective guidance. This company provides excellent service!Posted on Kim Reynolds2025-10-24Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our full day tour in the Mesa Verde area was breathtaking. Got to see parts of the world that will just blow your mind. We were particularly happy with our tour guide, Jay who really knew the history and geology of the area and gave us insights into history that we had not understood before.Posted on Natalie Norman2025-10-21Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic experience on our Mesa Verde National Park tour! They had to make some last-minute itinerary changes due to park staffing/government shutdown, but we still had a great time! Our tour guide Jay was very knowledgeable and extremely personable. He quickly felt like one of our family as we ventured out to the high desert. He made a point to connect with all of us, but he went out of his way to personally interact with our 2 daughters (10 and 12) and made the experience special for them. They learned so much! He was also very helpful when some of us weren't feeling so great at the high altitude! I would book with this company again in a heartbeat, especially if I could get a tour with Jay!! Thanks for the lifetime memories. What a beautiful area!Posted on Allison Posell2025-10-21Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Miles was amazing, knowledgeable, and made sure that the unexpected weather and flooding in the area did not keep us from having a good experience. Thank you for the great service recovery and adventure!Posted on Casey Mast2025-10-21Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Cat was our tour guide, and we had a great Jeep tour with the Trails and Rails – Jeep Tour & Train Package. We explored in Silverton area by Jeep and saw a ghost/mining town near the head in the Animas River. The views were amazing!Posted on Brenda Stewart2025-10-20Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Miles was an excellent tour guide, knowledgeable with a fun sense of humor. He was flexible and good natured and passed his love of the mountains on to us. The tour was one of the highlights of our entire week. Brenda StewartPosted on 2 Nomads2025-10-19Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am a tour guide. My company hired Jay, with Mild to Wild as our step on guide. Jay was a wealth of information. He was great with my passengers. We all loved him.Posted on jenner finley2025-10-18Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Just got off the Jeep tour with Jay as our guide. What a day and what a guide!! We’ll be riding the train back from Silverton - best combination. Don’t miss out and request Jay to show you waterfalls!Posted on Mike Bazar2025-10-16Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Loved it. Awesome adventure. Definitely mild and WILD!!!
What are you waiting for? Call today (800) 567-6745 OR (970) 247-4789
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
Receive a 90% refund with written notice 36 hours or more before the trip. Less notice, no refund.
Trip Change Option
Up to 12 hours prior to departure, trips can be rescheduled for a different day and/or time. The price of this change policy is 5% of the total trip cost. Upgrade only available at time of reservation and must be applied to each seat.
What to Wear & Bring
- Swimsuit/Quick drying clothing (avoid cotton because it stays the temperature of the water and keeps you cold)
- Rain jacket
- Water shoes or secure sandals with heel straps (no flip flops or crocs!)
- Hat (that fits under your helmet)
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses with a strap
- Water bottle
- Camera with waterproof case
- Warm, dry change of clothes (for after rafting)
Trips from May through June
- Wetsuits (available for rent)
- Wetsuit boots all season (available for rent)
- Fleece jacket and fleece socks (provides added warmth if you tend to get cold)
What To Wear On A Mountain Rafting Trip – Essential Rafting Attire
Important Considerations
- · At high water levels (usually early June) our age limits may increase.
- For safety, 4 and 5-year-olds will be escorted around the Smelter Rapid if your trip goes through the whitewater park.
- Rafting/kayaking is not recommended for ages 80+.
- When water levels rise, we take extra safety precautions which may include walking around one of the rapids where the river narrows or using other river sections.
- Low water season usually starts in late July and rapid classes drop a ½ to a full notch. Our trips become more technical as we navigate through the rocks in the river.
- Wetsuits are often required from May through June, and wetsuit boots are recommended all season. Rentals are available!
- Durango tends to get afternoon rain showers, so sometimes you get more water than you pay for!
- If you’re traveling with a dog, you cannot leave them in your car in the parking lot. Please make arrangements for them beforehand.
- All itineraries are subject to change due to water conditions.
Trip Planning Info
FAQ
Getting to Durango
Lodging
Weather
Best Times to Visit
First Timer's Guide










Meet Location & Directions
- Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours
- 970-247-4789
- 50 Animas View Dr., Durango, CO 81301
- Get Directions
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