White Water Rafting Trips in Colorado
If you’ve been on the hunt for the best white water rafting Colorado has to offer, you’ve floated yourself over to a great place. Or a perfect eddy, as our guides might say!
Our Colorado rafting trips operate in various locations across this beautiful state, from the awe inspiring canyons of Dinosaur National Monument, to the widespread wilderness of San Juan Mountains. All with an impressive range from beginner to advanced adventures (aka mild to wild).
Here are the rivers where we rollick:
Daily Trips
Clear Creek in Idaho Springs, near Denver, Colorado
Lower Animas River in Durango, Colorado
Upper Animas Needleton Section between Durango and Silverton Colorado
Upper Piedra River near Pagosa Springs, Colorado
San Miguel River near Telluride, Colorado
Dolores River near Cortez, Colorado (only certain years)
Multi-Day Trips
Upper Animas Needleton Section between Durango and Silverton Colorado
Dolores River near Cortez, Colorado – Intermediate (only certain years)
Yampa River in Dinosaur National Monument – Intermediate
Gates of Lodore in Dinosaur National Monument – Intermediate
River Descriptions
Lower Animas in Durango
Mild | Class II-III Rapids
The Lower Animas is a popular run through the charming historic town of Durango, Colorado. Locals as much as visitors love to take on the exciting-yet-friendly class II and III rapids between the calm sections on this free flowing river. This is a great mild trip for all skill levels, families, and groups to enjoy.
Trips range from 3 to 6 hours. Age limits are usually 4+, but could increase depending on water levels. Kayaking trips are also available!
Clear Creek in Idaho Springs, Near Denver
Intermediate | Class III-IV Rapids
Just 30 minutes from Denver, Clear Creek boasts some of Colorado’s most famous whitewater. This rocky mountain adventure combines exciting rapids, alpine scenery, and rich mining history. Flowing through historic Idaho Springs, Clear Creek offers an impressive concentration of rapids ranging from class II-IV with mild and intermediate trip options to pick from.
Trips range from 3 to 6 hours. Age limits for the beginner section is 7+, and for the intermediate sections 15+.
San Miguel River near Telluride
Intermediate | Class II-III Rapids
Rippling down from Telluride’s jaw dropping peaks and into a sandstone canyon, the San Miguel is one of the funnest under-the-radar white water rafting trips in Colorado. The morning section paddles through a narrow twisting corridor through constant class II-III rapids, while the afternoon stretch bounds through a wider section of Norwood Canyon.
Trips range from 2 to 5 hours. Ages 8+ are welcome on the afternoon section, and 10+ on the morning section. The season is swift like the water, lasting from late May to the end of July.
Upper Piedra near Pagosa Springs
Intermediate | Class II-IV Rapids
Meandering through one of the most protected wilderness areas in Colorado, the Upper Piedra is a beautiful hidden gem. This free flowing river travels through a limestone box canyon, between a dense forest of looming ponderosas. Its friendly class III wave trains and class IV pool drop rapids make it a perfect intermediate to wild-ish trip depending on the flows.
We offer day trips down the Piedra River for ages 12+. This river has one of the shortest rafting seasons from May to June, making it all the more elusive.
Upper Animas near Silverton
Wild | Class III-V
The Upper Animas, unlike the lower section, is a coveted extreme white water rafting experience deep within the Weminuche Wilderness. Dropping an average of 85 feet per mile, with never-ending class III – V rapids, it is the most difficult commercially run river in the United States. Our company runs the “less” intense Needleton Section, which requires physical fitness and an orientation to join the trip.
We offer one day and overnight rafting trips for ages 16+. This adventure includes a trip in and out of the canyon on the historic Durango Silverton Train.
Yampa River in Dinosaur National Monument
Intermediate | Class II-IV
It is an understatement to say that the Yampa River is one of the most special wilderness trips in the United States. Throughout this 72 mile journey, rafters experience a myriad of natural and historic wonders, from engulfing scenery of slickrock cliffs, to rare archaeological sites nestled in alcoves. Oh yeah, and the amazing white water throughout!
We run 4 and 5 Day trips down the Yampa River for ages 8+ depending on water levels. Because the Yampa is free flowing, its season can only last during the runoff, typically from May to July.
Gates of Lodore in Dinosaur National Monument
Intermediate | Class II-IV
Beginning with a passage through some of the oldest rocks on Earth, Gates of Lodore is in no shortage of grandeur. And as one of the most historic canyons in the American West, it stands proudly as one of the most sought-after rafting trips in Colorado. Throughout its 45 mile meander, Gates of Lodore proves to be a bucket list item people put back on the list right after take out.
We run 3 and 4 Day trips through Gates of Lodore for ages 8+ depending on water levels. This section of the Green River has a great season, lasting from May to September.
About our Colorado Rafting Trips
Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours is a family owned and operated company that started in prime white water country of Durango, Colorado in 1994. Our first permits were for the Lower and Upper Animas River and the Piedra River.
With desire to share more of the places we loved to recreate, over the years we added the San Miguel, Dolores, Yampa and Green rivers to our list of permits. To read more about our ever-evolving love story with the Rocky Mountains, check out A 30 Year Journey on Rocky Mountain Snowmelt — Mild to Wild’s Beginnings.
Our mission is to enrich your life with an escape to the outdoors, and connect friends and family in nature through adventure. Our number 1 priority has always been safety, and is an integral part of everything we do on and off the river.
What Sets Us Apart
- Our Trip Leaders average 2,000 more river miles than Colorado’s state requirement of 800.
- We have the longest on water training of any guide training course in the region.
- Our in-house guide training assures that we put the most experienced, qualified guides on the rivers and trails where we run our trips. Our training greatly exceeds the state requirements for a higher level of professionalism. Your guide is trained in river rescue, interpretive, and customer service skills, as well as First Aid and CPR.
- We offer an exclusive service guarantee: If you’re not absolutely delighted with our guides and equipment, your trip is free!
- We were the first outfitter to offer wetsuit and wetsuit boot rentals for our guests on the Lower Animas.
- We were the first company to have Satellite phones on the Upper Animas. We additionally offer multiple Satellite technology communications on our wilderness trips.
- We were the first company to not run single boat trips on our wilderness area trips.
- We were the first to provide helmets in Durango.
- We were the first company to commercially run the Animas below Tacoma (Rockwood Box).
- We were the first company to use self-bailing rafts on the Upper Animas River.
- We were the first company to have an all self-bailing fleet in Durango.
- We are the only company in Durango to have year-round staff to serve our guests and improve our operations.
- We are a long term member of the Colorado River Outfitters Association (CROA).
- Our owner is a board member and director of the PR Committee for CROA.
- We shaped and wrote the current outfitter registration on behalf of CROA.
- We called for and created a crisis management plan for CROA.
- We were the first rafting company in the region to have a computerized reservation program.