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! White Water rafting in Durango takes 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.
- See a different and more beautiful view of Durango
- The perfect mix of excitement through fun rapids and relaxation during calm sections
- Learn the wild history of the town and Southwest Colorado
- Hang out with fun, entertaining river guides
- Class III splash through Smelter White Water Park
- A hands on experience in helping the guides paddle and navigate down the river
- Local wildlife! Deer, beaver, fox, birds of prey, and river otters
- Convenient trip options for those with full itineraries
- A great trip for big groups or team building experiences
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 Comparison
| Trip | Time on Water | Meet* | Return | Standard Raft –Adult | Standard Raft – Youth | Premium Raft or Kayak |
| 1/4 Day | 1hr | 10:30 AM 2:15 PM | Approx 2.25hrs later | $69.00 | $59.00 | $99.00 |
| 1/2 Day | 2.5hr | 8:30 AM 1:30 PM | Approx 3.75hrs later | $89.00 | $79.00 | $119.00 |
| 3/4 Day | 5hr | 8:30 AM | Approx 7hrs later | $149.00 | $129.00 | $189.00 |
* All our our trips depart 30 minutes after the scheduled meet time. No need to arrive earlier than stated.
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: $89 Adult l $79 Youth
- Premium Raft: $129/person
Durango Kayaking Trips
Animas River
4hrs on the water, 6hrs from meet to return. Lunch included.
- Per person: $189
Animas River
2hrs 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
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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.