Colorado Whitewater Rafting
Discover Colorado’s Best Rafting Adventures
Colorado is home to some of North America’s most thrilling white water rafting experiences. With over 4,000 miles of rivers cutting through the Rocky Mountains, the Centennial State offers everything from family-friendly floats to adrenaline-pumping Class V rapids.
6
Rafting Companies
8
Rivers
Class I-V
All Skill Levels
Why Raft in Colorado?
World-Class Rapids: Colorado boasts legendary rivers like the Arkansas, Colorado, and Gunnison, each offering unique challenges and stunning scenery.
Something for Everyone: From gentle Class II floats perfect for families to intense Class V runs for thrill-seekers, Colorado has rafting for every skill level.
Stunning Scenery: Raft through towering canyon walls, past 14,000-foot peaks, and alongside some of the most beautiful wilderness in America.
Extended Season: Colorado’s snowmelt-fed rivers provide excellent rafting conditions from late April through early September, with peak flows typically in June and July.
Professional Outfitters: The state’s rafting industry is mature and highly regulated, ensuring safe, high-quality experiences with certified guides.
Top Colorado Rafting Rivers
Arkansas River
Location: Buena Vista, Salida, Canon City
The Arkansas River is Colorado’s most popular rafting destination, offering 100+ miles of raftable whitewater. The upper sections near Buena Vista provide family-friendly floats, while the Royal Gorge section delivers some of the most intense commercially-rafted rapids in North America.
Season: May – August
Cache La Poudre River
Location: Buena Vista, Salida, Canon City
The Cache la Poudre River is northern Colorado’s playground for rafters who want a mix of excitement and scenery. It cuts through mountains and forests, twists past open plains, and throws in rapids that keep you on your toes. Named for French trappers who once hid gunpowder along its banks, the river feels alive with history while giving you a real taste of Colorado adventure.
Season: May – August
Clear Creek
Location: Buena Vista, Salida, Canon City
20+ miles of go, go, go action. Carving through the historic mining town of Idaho Springs, this river comes with views and adrenaline promising rapids.
Season: May – August
Colorado river
Location: Buena Vista, Salida, Canon City
The Colorado River has been carving its way through the Southwest for millions of years, shaping massive canyon walls and wide valleys. Rafting it today feels like stepping into history on the same waters that John Wesley Powell explored in the 1800s. There are calm stretches to take in the scenery and rapids that keep the adventure alive. It is a classic western river experience you can actually be part of.
Season: May – August
gunnison river
Location: Buena Vista, Salida, Canon City
The Gunnison River winds through some of Colorado’s most dramatic landscapes, carving deep canyons over millions of years. Its most famous stretch, the Black Canyon, is steep and rugged, with sheer walls that make you feel the river’s power and history. Floating the Gunnison is a chance to move through a river that has shaped the land for ages while taking in some of the state’s most striking scenery. Whether chasing fish or rapids, this river is as memorable as it is stunning.
Season: May – August
Arkansas River
Location: Buena Vista, Salida, Canon City
The Arkansas River is Colorado’s most popular rafting destination, offering 100+ miles of raftable whitewater. The upper sections near Buena Vista provide family-friendly floats, while the Royal Gorge section delivers some of the most intense commercially-rafted rapids in North America.
Season: May – August
Colorado Rafting Trips Available Now
Browse our selction of Colorado rafting trips from trusted local outfitters
With over 45 years of experience, Echo Canyon is one of the most established rafting outfitters in Colorado. Based in Canon City,...
Convenient Locations near Denver & Summit County Located just west of Idaho Springs near Denver, with additional locations in Silverthorne...
River Runners has been leading whitewater rafting adventures since 1972. With years of experience and high-quality gear, they make sure...
If you're looking for the real Colorado river experience, Arkansas River Tours is a great place to start. They've been...
Rocky Mountain Whitewater Rafting is based in Idaho Springs, just 33 miles west of Denver. It’s a small, guide-owned company...
Dvorak’s has been family-owned and operated since 1979, and they’ve been sharing the rivers with folks ever since. Even though...
Best Time For Colorado Rafting
What to Expect On a Colorado Rafting Trip
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Colorado Rafting Safety
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Ready to Experience Colorado Rafting?
Browse our selection of Colorado rafting trips from trusted local
outfitters. Compare trips, read reviews, and book your adventure today.