Through the rich forests of the Piedra River Canyon, a glimmering and free-flowing mountain stream rollicks with adventurous whitewater come spring. It’s Colorado’s most regulated and restricted river, and rafting within such a raw wilderness requires one eye for the rapids and the other for moose and black bears.

The Upper Piedra’s narrow waterway sends rafts bounding between gorgeous granite and hefty boulders, making the ride just as scenic as it technical for paddlers. The beginning of the run comes with long Class II rapid sections, followed by Class III and IV drops once the river fills from its contributing creeks along the way.

Be ready to spin and skirt around the river’s obstacles, and drop into chutes and staircase rapids— a great way to earn an evening at the hot springs!

Upper Piedra River raft trips start at $209.00.