Durango Kayaking on the Lower Animas River
Half Day & 3/4-Day Whitewater river trips on the Animas River in Durango, Colorado
Inflatable kayaks offer the best of both worlds: the stability of a raft and maneuverability of a kayak. Paddle, spin and surf your way down the Animas River in your own craft, under the leadership of an instructional guide. No prior experience is necessary, but being physically fit is!
*Please Note* If the Animas River is flowing over 1800 CFS, kayakers will be moved to a premium raft option for safety.
Not quite ready to take on the river in your own inflatable river craft? Try rafting Durango’s Lower Animas River first!
Inflatable Kayaking Trips on the Lower Animas River

More About This Trip
Durango’s Lower Animas River is a playground for adventure, and inflatable kayaking is the perfect way to experience its thrill. Feel the rush as you navigate exciting rapids like “Smelter,” “Santa Rita,” and “Sawmill,” interspersed with calmer sections for enjoying the scenery and camaraderie.
Kayaking on the Lower Animas during lower water flows is an optimal choice in the later summer months as it amplifies the excitement of the rapids, offering a more challenging and exhilarating experience than rafting.
Our expert guides are more than just navigators – they’re local storytellers, sharing insights into Durango’s history and culture, and even offering insider tips on where to find the best post-kayaking meal. No prior kayaking experience is needed! We provide all the necessary gear, including high-quality inflatable kayaks, paddles, and personal flotation devices. Our guides will provide a comprehensive safety orientation and paddle instruction, ensuring you’re comfortable and confident on the water.
Choose from our 3/4 Day Kayaking Trip, Half Day Kayaking Trip, or 1/4 Day Kayaking Trip options to find the perfect fit for your schedule and desired level of excitement. Experience the thrill of kayaking on the Lower Animas River this summer!
Trip Options
Durango Kayaking Trips
Animas River
4hrs 15min on the water, 5hrs 45min from meet to return. Lunch included.
- Per person: $189
Animas River
2hrs 15min on the water, 3hrs and 45min from meet to return.
- Per person: $129
Animas River
1hr on water, 2hrs and 20min from meet to return.
- Per Person: $99
Why Kayak the Lower Animas with Mild to Wild?
Trip Provisions
- Free on-site parking
- On-site bathrooms and changing rooms
- Gift shop for your last-minute needs
- Action photos of your trip available for purchase
- Neoprene wetsuits & boots available for rent
- Custom, quality, & Coast Guard-approved river equipment
- Round-trip transportation from meet location
Professional, Interpretive & Entertaining Guides
- Trip leaders average 2,000 river miles
- Certified in CPR & First Aid
- Pay incentives for higher certification levels, including WFR, EMT, & Swift Water Rescue
- Dedicated company division to risk management, guided training, and continuing guide education
Our Commitment
to You
Reviews from our Guests
Posted on Reda2025-10-14Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our guide was Ms. Pat. What a lovely knowledgeable lady! We learned some much about the area Native Americans and the history of the locale. Pat was engaging and attentive. She is a credit to your business!!!Posted on Natalie Nunez2025-10-14Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely amazing trip. Able to see Silverton like never before on the Jeep tour, and Jay was incredibly kind. I'd recommend this to anyone I can!Posted on Renee Privett2025-10-13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My family and I had a great time on the half day trip down the Animas River. It was our first time in Durango. Our guide Hayden was awesome! Highly recommend!Posted on Larry Donahue2025-10-11Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tosh Black is phenomenal. This is our yearly trip and we picked Telluride. We went to Bridal Val Falls was off the chart amazing. We also went to Ophir Pass was unbelievable. We also got to see Alta Lakes,, breathtaking. Alex, thank you very much for letting Tosh Come out and play with his friends, that he gets to see once a year. Again, thank you very much to Tosh and Alex for making an awesome memory. You are the best.Posted on Lori Murakami2025-10-09Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tyler was an awesome guide. Friendly and knowledgeable. He took the time to educate us about the mining area and scraped rocks to show us the differences in color.Posted on Anne Baccich2025-10-09Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Did a van tour with Miles that was quite good in spite of the NPS shutdown of Mesa Verde. He clearly knows the history of the area and has great respect for the ruins and the culture of the ancient ones. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.Posted on Lisa Janzen2025-10-08Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Loved the off-roading Jeep ride! We had a great guide and also a great group.Posted on john sanford2025-10-08Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Cat was great. Due to the government shutdown and parts of Mesa Verde being closed she improvised and provided a great learning experience for us. I did not appreciate a call at 9:10 pm the prior night from the scheduler asking if we could change our start times. The main office knew about the closures on Friday and waited until last minute on Sunday to call me about changing and at a late hour.Posted on Robin Simpson2025-10-08Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Cat our guide was wonderful. Even though most of the national parks were closed Cat kept us entertained with her knowledge and stories. Thank you
What are you waiting for? Call today (800) 567-6745 OR (970) 247-4789
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.