AVA White Water Rafting Blogs
Animas River rafting trips
White water rafting in Southwest Colorado
The Animas River in Southwest Colorado near Durango offers a variety of white water rafting for all ages and abilities. Try the Lower Animas for families and first-timers or the Upper Animas for some of the most exciting and scenic Colorado white water rafting you can find.
Lower Animas River Trips: Fun Family Rafting
Class II-III, minimum 4 years & 30 lbs
Half Day and Full Day
Relax and enjoy a unique view of historic Durango. Bounce through fun-filled rapids like Smelter, Sawmill, Santa Rita and Pinball while learning the history of the region and local traditions. First-time rafters and veterans will enjoy this river rafting trip through Durango on the Animas River. No experience necessary! Lunch included on the full day.
Lower Animas Half Day 
Lower Animas Full Day
Upper Animas River Trips: Advanced Rafting
Class III-V, minimum age 14-16 depending on water flows and time of season
Full Day and Overnight
Big Mountains and Big Whitewater! Take on Class III-V rapids as you pass the 14,000′ peaks of the San Juan range. When the water is high, this is considered one of the most advanced stretches of commercial river in the US, and if the heart-pounding stretches of continuous whitewater don’t take your breath away, the scenery will!
1 Day Upper Animas
Tackle this 12-mile continuous whitewater stretch with a shuttle in and out of the trip on the Durango & Silverton narrow gauge railroad. Hit the Class V Broken Bridge Rapid, aka “Holy Cow!” then navigate numerous Class IV challenges with continuous Class III whitewater in between the big ones. Midday, enjoy a gourmet deli lunch with a hike to a historic mining cabin.
2 Day Upper Animas Overnight
The ultimate way to experience the Upper Animas advanced rafting trip. Tackle the entire 24 miles of this canyon through some of the best and most continuous whitewater in the U.S. We’ll take you to the town of Silverton, where you’ll launch with views of the majestic San Juan Mountains. Head into the narrow Animas River canyon, where there are too many Class III and IV rapids to count as well as the Class V challenges Ten Mile and No Name.
Thanks AVA for another awesome time on the river. Special thanks to Matt. You were terrific!— Lisa F., MN
Camp halfway at Needleton and fill up on the gourmet steak and salmon dinner. Our 5-star camp will provide all the amenities of a satisfying night under the stars. The next day is just as exciting as the first with non-stop whitewater action, including the Class V Broken Bridge, aka “Holy Cow!” Completing the day’s excitement, at the end of the rafting trip you’ll take the historic Narrow Gauge Railroad from the Upper Animas canyon back to Durango.
