White Water Rafting Denver, Colorado

White Water Rafting Denver, Colorado

Clear Creek Rafting Trips

Denver White Water Rafting Trip Highlights

Experience exceptional white water rafting just minutes from Denver with our Clear Creek trips. We offer engaging adventures that combine exciting rapids, beautiful mountain scenery, and rich gold rush history. Clear Creek, flowing through historic Idaho Springs, offers the most impressive concentration of rapids per mile in the state of Colorado. As Denver’s closest white water rafting destination, Clear Creek provides perfect accessibility as it is just 30-45 minutes from Denver, Winter Park, Breckenridge, and about an hour from Boulder.

  • Navigate the most exciting white water rafting run with more rapids per mile than any other river near Denver.
  • Conquer exciting Class III & Class IV rapids like Castle Falls (Class III), Deliverance (Class IV), and Outer Limits (Class IV).
  • Discover gold rush heritage at the historic Chicago Creek discovery site.
  • Spot local wildlife including bighorn sheep, river otters, and bears.
  • Explore significant historical sites including the Argo Mine (once the most profitable mine in the world) and Charlie Taylor Water Wheel.

More About This Trip

Clear Creek offers some of the most accessible and rewarding white water rafting near Denver, flowing from the Continental Divide at Loveland Pass through the historic mining town of Idaho Springs. What makes Clear Creek special is its excellent combination of exciting rapids and rich history, all set against the backdrop of the stunning Front Range mountains.
 
As a free-flowing river fed by snowmelt, Clear Creek’s water levels change throughout the season, providing varied experiences. Generally, the higher the water level, the more challenging the trip. Our high water season in mid-to-late June offers optimal white water rafting conditions. More moderate flows come in late-May through early-June and in July, while our technical low-water season runs mid-May and August, requiring precise maneuvering as rapids become more defined.
 
With three trip options ranging from beginner to intermediate, there’s an adventure here for everyone! 
 

The History

As you navigate Clear Creek’s waters, you’re traveling through living history. Chicago Creek, one of our key landmarks, is documented as the location where the first gold nugget was discovered during the Idaho Springs gold rush, initiating the Gold Rush of 1859. Our guides will point out the historic Argo Mine and Mill, once one of the world’s most productive mines, which processed over $100 million of gold ore.
 
The Charlie Taylor Water Wheel stands as another testament to the area’s rich mining heritage, while Kermit’s Access (our take-out point for two trips) is named after an old dive bar, now Two Bears Tap & Grill, which serves one of the oldest pork green chili recipes in Colorado – a perfect post-rafting meal!
 

Location, Location, Location

Clear Creek is ideally located in the Front Range, approximately 30-45 minutes from the state capital, making it the perfect destination for white water rafting near Denver. It’s also easily accessible from Winter Park, Breckenridge and surrounding Summit County, and is the closest rafting destination to Boulder at about 1 hour away. This prime location means less time driving and more time enjoying your white water adventure!
 
Whether you’re a Denver resident seeking a convenient outdoor experience or a visitor wanting to experience renowned white water rafting, our Clear Creek trips offer an excellent combination of exciting rapids, historical context, and natural beauty – all within easy reach of Denver and other major Front Range destinations.
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Boat Options

We offer these boat options so that you can customize your Durango rafting trip to the experience you desire.

Mild to Wild’s Boat Options: Why You’re In the Raft You’re In

Premium Raft

Holds Up to 6 Guests

Premium Raft

Smaller guide to Guest Ratio
5 Paid Seats is a Private Raft
Option to Paddle or Relax
Ages 4+

Standard Raft

Holds up to 10 Guests

Standard Raft

Option to Paddle or Relax
Ages 4+

Single Person Kayak

One Guest per kayak

Inflatable Kayak

No experience necessary
Instructional guide provided
Increased adventure level
Physical fitness required
Ages 11+ or 5'2"

Payments & Cancellations

Payment Options

  1. 1/2 down, 1/2 charged 30 days prior to trip.
  2. 1/3 down with remaining balance charged in thirds.
  3. 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

Day Trips: 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.

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