Upper Animas

One Day Silverton Rafting Trip

About This Trip

This trip is currently unavailable. See our Needleton Section for available Upper Animas trips.

Are you ready for some of the biggest, baddest whitewater in the country? Then get your neoprene out on the Silverton section of the Upper Animas River! This rowdy run comes with constant Class II and III rapids, plenty of Class IV’s, and pair of Class V’s that you’ll be talking about for the rest of your life.

The start of the Silverton section is incredibly scenic, where snowcapped fourteeners loom along the horizon before rafters float into the river’s first towering canyon. Once you’ve crossed this threshold, bigger waves and technical runs are soon to follow as you drift farther away from the historic train tracks of Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge. Don’t worry though, you’ll meet them again at the trip’s end for your ride back to civilization.

At high water in late May to early June, this trip is considered extreme. All participants must have excellent physical fitness, and will be required to participate in a practice swim before being eligible to join us on this roaring ribbon of whitewater. After all, Upper Animas is the most difficult commercially run river in the United States.

Upper Animas, One Day Silverton trips start at $499.

Overview

Season

Late May – August

Restrictions

Low Water: Ages 14+ (typically late June – August)

High Water: Ages 16+ (May – June)

• Physical fitness required with the ability to hike out of the canyon 2 hours if necessary!

• Wetsuits Required (Rentals Available)

Class of Rapids

High Water: IV & V with continuous II & III

Low Water: Continuous, technical II & III with IV+

Meet Time

7:30 AM

Return

5:15 PM

Boat Options

Standard Raft - Up to 10 guests

Book Your Trip

1 Day silverton Rafting Trip

Trip Planning

Itinerary & Map

DAY 1 ITINERARY

Orientation Evening Prior (Required)

Those who cannot make the orientation the evening prior have the option to complete it the morning before their trip (comes with a $75 charge.)

4:45 PM

Check into our office to get fitted for your thermal wetsuit gear and go on the orientation raft trip where you will take your practice swim in a Class II+ to III+ rapid.

Day Of

7:30 AM

Meet at our main office.

Shuttle to Silverton, Colorado via the Million Dollar Skyway

Suit up for your river trip! Thermal wetsuits and booties are required all season and are available for rent.

Hit the river! Warm up through “Animas Gorge” – continuous Class III rapids. Scout and run “Ten Mile” rapid, your first Class V of the day.

Take a break for a yummy deli-style, riverside lunch.

Hurry back to the river for more continuous Class III rapids. Scout “No Name” rapid and run it, if you dare! More continuous Class III rapid fun!

Arrive at our Needleton Camp, take out & de-rig boats for the train. Board the Durango & Silverton Train and relax as you take in the sights of the Rockwood Gorge.

Arrive at the Rockwood Station, and shuttle back to Durango.

5:15 PM

Arrive back at our Durango office at approximately 6:00 PM.

* Please note that all itineraries are subject to change due to river conditions.

Booking Options

Standard Rafts

This Trip is Currently Unavailable for the 2023 Season. See our Needleton Section for available Upper Animas trips.

15 foot self-bailing rafts rigged as an oar boat with paddle assist. Be ready to paddle and swim on your pre-trip orientation (and possibly on the trip itself)!

Ages 16+

Per Person

$499

Reviews from our Guests

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Sandra Perez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We booked a tour of Mesa Verde for a full day. Arrived at 8:00; returned at 4:30. The day was not a blue bird sky day - we had clouds, drizzle, rain and grey but the experience was surreal. Overlooks of amazing architecture in the cliffs, pit adobes in the corn fields, storage of grain in the cliffs - all viewed easily from the road and overlooks. Easily seen but not easily understood. That’s where our tour guide, Jay was an incredible asset. He added so much to our viewing of these spaces that we will take away incredible knowledge of the Pueblan People. And then the tour of the Palace. WOW! In fact, WOW was the word of the day! Jay was the best of the best. I have gone with Viator before and have not been disappointed. They pick the best tour companies in the area. Thanks Jay for a wonderful experience.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   R C 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Eli was amazing!!!!  Well guided and have to say we were the only boat to have one maybe two people go overboard!  Haha!  But seriously, calm, knowledgeable and fun!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Deb Terry 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. From start to finish our guide,  Tim made sure that we had the absolute best experience on the Jeep tour! The sites that he took us to,  the information he gave us ensured a memory of a lifetime! Highly recommend!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Crystal Lemmons 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The half day kayak trip was an adventure worth experiencing. Eli was our guide and was helpful and enjoyable.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   R Di Wu 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Hannah our guide was amazing!! She took expert care of two moms and our 5 and 7 year old kids!! All the other guides played water gun battle with our kids the whole trip!! Paton was the other guide and I forgot the other names 😭 everyone was awesome 😀 Highly recommend!! We also tried Tom's for Canadian food like the guides recommended and it was delicious!!!  Thank you!!! Will be back!!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Oleksii Misiura 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. First time on the rafting, and i received best experience, highly recommend this place to visit Special thanks to the instructors Eli, Hannah and Payton, best guy's!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Dmytro Dmytrenko 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Really emotional and fun trip, thanks to all team. Everyone should try kayaking
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Trey Walker 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Creed and Peyton were awesome guides! Would highly recommend checking out this place.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nikki Coppola 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Peyton was an awesome guide! Beautiful scenery and so much fun!

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 an 80% refund with written notice 5 days prior to trip departure. Less notice, no refund.

At Upper Animas orientation, if determined this is not right for you, for 1 day trips you may apply the trip cost to another available trip, less $250 per person for the nonrefundable train ticket & orientation. For overnight trips, the non refundable amount is $300 per person. Train tickets may be able to be transferred depending on the train’s availability.

Trip Insurance through RoamRight is recommended to help cover unforeseen circumstances.

We conform to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad cancellation policy. Train ticket cancellations are subject to a fee 5 days before your reserved date. There are no refunds issued on reservations cancelled less than 5 days before your reserved date.

What to Wear & Bring

Wetsuit (available for rent)
Wetsuit boots all season (available for rent)
Splash Jacket (available for free)
Fleece jacket and fleece socks
Swimsuit/Quick drying clothing
Hat (that fits under your helmet)
Sunscreen
Sunglasses with a strap
Water bottle
Camera with waterproof case

What To Wear On A Mountain Rafting Trip – Essential Rafting Attire

Important Considerations

Orientation is at 4:45 the evening prior to your scheduled trip and is 100% required. Orientation will include a practice raft trip and a swim through a Class II+ to III+ rapid, so come with a swimsuit and be prepared to get wet!
Plan 2 to 3 hours for this orientation. If you need to schedule for a different time, there is a $50/person charge.
All participants must be in outstanding physical shape. When rafting, it is important to choose the trip that matches the level of the least adventurous and least physically fit person in your group. It is dangerous to ignore physical limitations.
After orientation, if it is determined that the Upper Animas is not the right trip for you, we will move you to a more suitable river. See our Cancellation Policy for rescheduling fees.
As the season progresses and water levels change, we reserve the right to change river sections based on the type of trip you are looking for and your abilities.
All itineraries are subject to change due to water conditions

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