CW Guided Adventures: Colorado White Water Rafting Trips
- admin171125
- Mar 29
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 29
Embark on an unforgettable rafting adventure through Colorado’s pristine rivers, with full-day or multi-day options that include navigating Class III-IV rapids, wildlife sightings, and stunning mountain or desert canyon views. Our Upper Colorado River Rafting Trips are 100% Customizable!
Why Choose Our Expert Guides?
All of our guides are Colorado Certified Raft Guides. With years of experience and a profound understanding of different Colorado rivers, they are sure to provide an excellent and safe adventure. Venture out to discover hidden gems like the Upper Colorado River and some of our other favorite rivers in Colorado & Utah
Join Us for an Adventure!
Let us take you on a journey where you can connect with nature and enjoy the thrill of white water rafting in some of the most beautiful settings Colorado has to offer.
In this article:
Colorado White Water Rafting Trips: Half Day
Clear Creek Classic - Not operating in 2025
This is an excellent introduction to Colorado whitewater rafting trips. Located near Denver and Boulder, this section of Clear Creek is ideal for young people, families, and beginners. It features 11 thrilling and enjoyable rapids, making it a perfect start for whitewater rafting. You'll also encounter nearby attractions, such as historic gold mining ruins and waterwheels. The minimum age for participants is 7 years old and 50 pounds. Your 2.5-hour experience includes 1 to 1.5 hours on the water.
Difficulty Description: Class II – III rapids and whitewater. CLASS II – Easy rapids with predictable waves, clear passages, and wide channels; some maneuvering is required. CLASS III – Moderately difficult rapids with irregular waves and some complex maneuvering required to avoid obstacles. During high water levels, there might be 1-2 rapids at class 4.
Clear Creek Adrenaline
This exhilarating intermediate section of whitewater rafting is Clear Creek’s most popular adventure! Located near Denver and Boulder, it features continuous class 4 rapids that will excite participants as they descend through Idaho Springs. Navigating rapids and holes, our trip will conquer Outer Limits, an incredibly thrilling class 4 rapid. This is the ultimate whitewater rafting experience in Colorado. You can anticipate spending two to three hours on the water for this intermediate tour. The minimum age for participants is fifteen years old.
Difficulty Description: Class II – IV rapids and whitewater. CLASS II – Easy rapids with predictable waves, clear passages, and wide channels; some maneuvering is required. CLASS III – Moderately difficult rapids with irregular waves and some complex maneuvering required to avoid obstacles. CLASS IV – Difficult rapids with complex channels, waves, and hydraulics. Precise maneuvering in turbulent waters is often required to avoid significant obstacles.
Itinerary: After arriving at the rafting area you will be issued your wetsuit, helmet and personal flotation device. Once changed and ready to raft, you will meet your guide and get safety instructions and then be shuttled to the river. Depending on the flow of the river, you can expect to spend 1-1.5 hours on the river.
Upper Colorado River: Half Day
When you picture iconic river rafting throughout the west, this family friendly rafting trip comes to mind: large roadless sections of river; the California Zephyr train going by as we descend through a couple moderate rapids; soaring eagles, jumping fish, and amazing scenery. This tour is one of the best scenic float trips in Colorado and one of the most enjoyable river trips in the Western US. You can expect the tour to last approximately 4 hours on the water with stops along the way at a natural hot springs and cliff jumping. This trip is a wonderful opportunity to get the whole family on the river to enjoy easy rapids, beautiful scenery and plenty of peace and quiet. All of our trips begin by meeting us at the put-in at Rancho del Rio in Bond, CO. This is approximately a 2.5-3 hour drive from Estes Park, Boulder, or Denver.
Included in our rates: River shuttle; Professional rafting guide(s) with geographic and historical knowledge of the area; rafting trip; splash jacket and personal flotation device, snacks, and water.
Difficulty Description: Class II – III rapids and whitewater. CLASS II – Easy rapids with predictable waves, clear passages, and wide channels; some maneuvering is required. CLASS III – Moderately difficult rapids with irregular waves and some complex maneuvering required to avoid obstacles.
Special Notes: . For those wanting fun whitewater rafting trips near Denver and Boulder, this is a great half-day option. If you’re in Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Frisco, or Dillon, you’re just 1.5 hours away.
Colorado Rafting Adventures: Full Day
Upper Colorado
When you picture iconic river rafting throughout the west, this beginner – intermediate rafting trip comes to mind: large roadless sections of river; the California Zephyr train going by as we descend through rapids; soaring eagles, jumping fish, and amazing scenery. This tour is one of the best scenic float trips in Colorado and one of the most enjoyable river trips in the Western US. The put-in at Pumphouse down to Rancho Del Rio is 11.7 miles and serves up two great canyon sections, the famous rapids of Eye of the Needle and Yarmony Rapids, and is the perfect introduction to whitewater rafting! We also float from Pumphouse to State Bridge (14 miles) depending on water levels and run-off rates.
You can expect the tour to last approximately 6 to 8 hours on the water with a possible stop at a natural hot springs as well.
Our put-in point is Rancho del Rio in Bond, Colorado. This is approximately a 2.5-3 hour drive from Estes Park, Boulder, or Denver.
Difficulty Description: Class II – III rapids and whitewater. CLASS II – Easy rapids with predictable waves, clear passages, and wide channels; some maneuvering is required. CLASS III – Moderately difficult rapids with irregular waves and some complex maneuvering required to avoid obstacles.
Colorado Rafting Adventures: Multi Day
Upper Colorado River (2 Day)
When you picture iconic rafting through the west, this 2-day beginner – intermediate rafting trip comes to mind: large road less sections of water, the California Zephyr railroad going by as we descend through rapids, roaring eagles, and amazing scenery. This tour is one of the best moderate white water rafting trips in Colorado and one of the most amazing trips in the Western US. Pumphouse to Rancho Del Rio is 11.7 miles and serves up two great canyon sections, the famous rapids of Eye of the Needle and Yarmony Rapids, and is the perfect introduction to whitewater rafting!
We also float Pumphouse to State Bridge (14 miles) depending upon water levels and run off rates. You can expect the tour to last approximately six to 8 hours on the water with a possible stop at a hot springs as well. On day two we’ll travel farther down the river into breathtaking canyon scenery with opportunities for fly fishing and short hikes from the raft. Price based on 4-person minimum.
Our put-in point is Rancho del Rio in Bond, Colorado. This is approximately a 2.5-3 hour drive from Estes Park, Boulder, or Denver.
Itinerary: 6:30 a.m. (Boulder, Golden, Denver Area). Plan on a very long day with 3:15 of transportation / sightseeing each way from our put-in/take-out on Upper Colorado (Pumphouse) – 20 minutes west of Kremmling Colorado. Our take out will be State Bridge or farther down the river based on flow rate, conditions, and group ability. Return time will be around 8:30 pm. Upper Colorado River Two Day: Pumphouse to State Bridge – 14 miles.
Rafting Colorado River Near Grand Junction
A western river classic, this 3-day float trip features spectacular scenery, canyon hiking, riverside camping, and ample time for relaxation. The Colorado River through Ruby & Horsethief Canyons, flowing 25 miles from Loma, Colorado to Westwater, Utah, is mostly flat-water with Class I swiftwater and a short section of Class II rapids. This is a perfect trip for families and groups seeking the magic and splendor inherent in a multi-day river trip minus the stress of whitewater navigation.
The Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River flows through McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, which features sandstone canyons, natural arches, spires, and alcoves carved into the Colorado Plateau. Wildlife sighting opportunities are abundant along Ruby-Horsethief, home to bald eagles, peregrine falcons, river otters, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and great blue herons.
Our 3-day, 2-night trip through Ruby-Horsethief is designed to maximize quality time for hiking, floating, and leisure activity.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Loma, CO Put-in to Cottonwood Camp (mile 6)
Within just a couple of miles from the Loma put-in, we enter Ruby Canyon, a beautiful red rock canyon home to several side canyons and creek washes ripe for desert hiking. Rattlesnake Canyon at mile 3.2 boasts the second-largest concentration of arches in the world, after Arches National Park in Utah. We will make camp at one of five camps in an area called Cottonwood, which is lined with cottonwood trees that provide abundant shade on hot summer days. The evening at camp includes hiking opportunities, beach games, an outstanding meal, and quality time under the stars.
Day 2: Cottonwood Camp to Black Rocks Camp (mile 16-17)
After a hearty breakfast, we leave Ruby Canyon and enter Horsethief Canyon at mile 9. A railroad runs along the right bank of the river for the rest of our journey. More hiking opportunities abound among the many side canyons. The river flow is flat for most of the day making swimming a most inviting activity on a hot day. At mile 16 the river makes a sharp left turn to reveal Black Rocks, a mile-long corridor of black metamorphic rock called Vishnu Schist, which was formed about 1.7 billion years ago. This same layer of rock geology, which geologists refer to as “an unconformity,” is also exposed in certain sections of the Grand Canyon several hundred miles downstream. Black Rocks mark the beginning of the only section of mildly turbulent whitewater along Ruby-Horsethief and also features nine iconic campsites along the left side of the river. We will enjoy one of them. Swimming is an especially popular activity in the Black Rocks area and there is a nice hike to Moore Canyon just downstream from camp. Another great meal and campsite leisure bring day two to a peaceful close.
Day 3: Black Rocks Camp to Westwater Put-in (mile 25)
After another hearty breakfast, we move downstream from Black Rocks for our final day of flow and appreciation. There is a special hiking opportunity at mile 18 up a side canyon called McDonald Creek. This short hike leads to ancient petroglyphs that provide a glimpse into the early civilizations of the desert canyon region. Our journey commences at mile 25 and the Westwater takeout.
What's Included In Our Rates?
The services of a professional rafting guide
Splash jacket and personal flotation device
Wetsuit & booties if needed
Bottled water and snacks (lunch is also included during full-day trips)
Education about the local and natural history (including a library of Rocky Mountain flora and fauna)
Group CB, medical kit, & emergency support.
What's NOT Included In Our Rates?
Gratuities for your guide (while it is up to your discretion, the recommended gratuity is 15-20%) - *Gratuity is auto-added for groups of 6 or more.
Colorado fishing license or rod fee for private waters. We will secure private waters based on request
Transportation for groups of 7+, we can accommodate larger groups for an additional cost
Call 720-242-9828 or email info@cwrag.com to book a Custom Guided Rafting Adventure in Colorado!
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