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! 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.
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’’
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 states.
Trip Options
Durango Rafting Trips
Durango Kayaking Trips
Durango Kayaking 1/4 Day Trip
Animas River
Related Packages:
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)
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 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.
Reviews
I’ve been on many tours with Mild to Wild. We continue to go back every year. Mild to Wild and the staff provide excellent customer service and truly try to find the best trip for…
Jadea Braddy
Click to read moreEvery year I bring our 8th-grade class to Durango and always schedule a rafting trip with Mild to Wild. Everything from scheduling, the raft guides, the bus rides, is all amazing! Our students always have…
Jerry Rotenberg
Click to read moreI had a lot of fun. All the guides where a blast to be around. The overall rafting as a little cold because of the time of year, but I had a great time. The…
Amira Aquarian
Click to read moreEverything was great! Our guide was a really awesome guy that made our experience even better!
Chris Sanchez
Click to read moreLoved the relaxed and fun but still professional and knowledgeable trip. Trey was our guide. Very chill and nice guide. Would definitely use them again but next time would do the class 3 or 4…