Durango Rafting - Whitewater Rafting In Durango, CO
Durango White Water Rafting
Lower Animas River
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! Whitewater 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 white water as much as its charming scenery and wildlife.
Durango Rafting Trip Highlights
· 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
Adventure Level
Rafts: Mild-Intermediate, some swim potential and contact with water.
Kayaks: Intermediate, high swim potential and plenty of contact with water.
Restrictions
Raft: Ages 4+
Inflatable Kayak: Age 11+ and 5’ 2’’
Boat Options
We offer these boat options so that you can customize your Durango rafting trip to the adventure level you desire.
Premium Raft
Standard Raft
Inflatable Kayak
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 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)
