RAFTING SEASON IN COLORADO
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Whitewater rafting experiences in Colorado range from mild to wild - Photo by Denise Chambers/Weaver Multimedia Group
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Find a Complete List of Rafting Companies in Colorado
Information on
Colorado Rafting Highlights
When to Go
Where to Go
Hiring a Rafting Guide
Dispelling Rafting Myths
Water Flow in Real-Time
Colorado Rafting Highlights
When it comes to rafting in Colorado, you can choose your own speed. Spend a sunny morning lazily drifting along a calm waterway or spend it energetically paddling, getting soaked by rapids, dipping past boulders and crashing over gut-wrenching drop offs. It's up to you. Whitewater rafting in Colorado includes a bit of everything. Your best bet is to start out conservative, then tackle more difficult trips as you gain confidence and crave bigger thrills.
Imagine yourself enjoying one of these epic rafting experiences:
- Flyfishing down entire sections of river while aboard a guided raft
- Floating with your family over slow-rolling waters
- Shooting a string of whitewater rapids as your adrenaline works overtime
- Watching for wildlife as you float along riverbanks
- Rafting and camping along Colorado’s river system on a multi-day trip
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When to Go
As long as the weather is warm and the water level is high, you can go rafting. River levels are generally at raft-able depths from May through late August. As a general rule, the earlier in the season the swifter the river. Of course, it ultimately comes down to snowmelt and how quickly or slowly it flows from the mountains. As the season progresses, river levels quickly increase, plateau, then decrease with autumn, indicating most of the snow has already melted from the mountains and marking the end of another rafting season.
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Where to Go
A number of rivers and regions in Colorado have whitewater rafting opportunities. Among the more rafting-centered towns are
Glenwood Springs,
Salida,
Buena Vista,
Cañon City,
Steamboat Springs,
Vail,
Breckenridge,
Fort Collins,
Winter Park,
Durango,
Dinosaur and
Grand Junction, among others.
Chances are good that no matter where you spend your Colorado vacation, there's a rafting company a short drive away.
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Hiring a Rafting Guide
Hiring a guide company to ferry you down the river is exceedingly easy. All guides listed on Colorado.com are state-certified outfitters and have exceptional safety records. From A to Z, Colorado's rafting companies are professional, friendly and knowledgeable.
Search here for a complete list of rafting guides.
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Dispelling Myths
- Rafting is just for younger people.
As a matter of fact, rafting is safe and fun for all age groups.
- Whitewater rafting is too scary and intense.
Water conditions vary greatly. Sure, white-knuckle rides exist, but rafting companies also offer leisurely float trips.
- I can’t go by myself.
You don't need to be part of a group to sign up for a rafting adventure. Passengers often meet new friends aboard their raft.
- I’m not athletic enough to do it.
Rafting needn't be exceedingly physical. In fact, some trips don't even require passengers to paddle at all.
- I can’t go because I have kids.
Rafting is a family-friendly activity, and while there are some age restrictions, a good number of raft companies offer trips that kids can enjoy.
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Water Flow in Real Time
For those who want to see how the water is running on Colorado's rivers, check out real-time conditions with the United State Geological Survey river-flow data. Flow levels help experienced rafters gauge their trip before they set raft to water.
Real-time water flow
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Updated: 06/11/2008
