Durango’s Animas River Rafting

20 Years of Half-day & Full-day Durango Whitewater rafting river trips on the Animas River.

Durango’s Animas River
Location:	Durango, Colorado
Adventure Level:	Rafting: Mild Inflatable Kayaks: Intermediate Premium Boat: Intermediate Paddle Boarding: Mild
Class:	High Water: Class I, II and III Rapids Low Water: Class I, II and one Class III Rapid
Season:	April – October
Restrictions:	Raft: Ages 4-84! Inflatable Kayak: Age 12+ and must be 5’ 2’’ tall Premium Boat: Age 12+ (4+ when reserved as a more private boat option)
Current Water Levels
CLICK on the video to see the Animas in action!

Lower Animas River Description:

With over a million dollars in improvements and additions, new thrills await you in the new Smelter whitewater park! Splash through “Smelter”, “Santa Rita”, “Sawmill” and “Pinball” rapids as you raft through the heart of Durango on the Animas River! Your guide will share the history of the region and stories on local traditions. Families, reunions, groups, first timers and rafting veterans alike find this popular and convenient guided rafting trip to be the highlight of their vacation! No experience is necessary; we provide all you need including safety orientation and instruction. Don’t miss the #1 activity in Durango! Water levels vary throughout the season. We experience high flow with the spring snow melt. July through August rapid rating drop a ½ to a full notch. The river can become very technical float trip with lots of rocks to manuever around! We love it at all levels! Click here for directions to our main office in Durango.

Boat Options

Regular Rafts:

These are generally 15 foot self-bailing rafts. Choose an oar boat, where the guide navigates with oars from the back of the boat, and you can help paddle if you want, or a paddle boat where everyone, including the guide, paddles.

Premium Boats:

Smaller boats with smaller tubes so at higher water levels they increase the level of adventure. They can be set up as Paddle Boats or Oar Boats. In a Paddle Boat, the guide has a paddle like the customers so everyone has to help navigate and paddle through the rapids. If the guests want more adventure, the guide can also go for the riskier lines through the rapids. When rigged as an Oar Boat, the guide has more control so guests have the option to sit back and relax or assist in paddling through the rapids. Premium Boats can also be reserved as a more private boat option. We normally put 4 to 5 people (6 if there are 6 in the group) in a Premium Boat as opposed to 8 or 9 in the regular sized rafts. With this option, guests can request an Oar or Paddle Boat. If your group has younger kids and reserves a Premium Boat as a more private boat option, the guides will take more conservative lines as safety is our number one priority. At lower water levels, the Premium Boats only offer more of a private trip and there is no added adventure.

Inflatable Kayaks:

For those who want to increase the level of adventure further and control their own destiny, this is the perfect option! No experience necessary and an instructional guide will be provided. Each person will be in his/her own single person inflatable kayak. Interested? Go to Lower Animas River Kayaking.

Paddle Boards:

Paddle boarding is the fastest growing paddle sport in the world and you can try it out right here in Durango, Colorado! Learn the basics and paddle down slow moving water or through a lake (depending on water levels) in a kneeling or standing position on long flat inflatable boards (kind of like surf boards) with an instructional guide. Check out Paddle Boarding for more information. • Looking for a mild trip that lasts longer than one day?? The Colorado River offers the perfect multi-day trip! • Does the Lower Animas sound a little too mild for your taste? Check out the Upper Piedra for more adventure!

Family fun on Durango's Lower Animas River

Paddle, splash and surf your way down the Animas!

Challenge the Animas River in an Inflatable Kayak

 

Durango’s Animas River Trip Highlights:

• See a different, even more beautiful, view of Durango
• Learn the history of Durango
• Convenient; accommodates tight itineraries
• Packages available, including jeep trail tours, for the complete Colorado experience!
• Perfect trip for family reunions with all ages
• Great trip for youth groups – special bonding/team building trips available

Durango’s Animas River Trip Options