Dolores River Rafting Trips
An overnight Colorado rafting trip to truly take you away
3-Day, 6-Day, and 10-Day White Water Rafting Trips
Class II-IV
Minimum age 10
Leaves from Cortez, CO
Long known as one of the most remarkable multi-day river trips in the U.S., the Dolores offers towering canyon walls, meandering curves, beautiful campsites and exciting whitewater.
— Susie SilvermanMy husband, myself and our two grandchildren took the Brown Canyon rafting trip on Sunday, July 18, 2010. The kids were fearless, being already 9 and 11, and my husband was an experienced rafter but I felt panic stricken and really feared the experience. It was just the 4 of us and our guide in one raft and we had to learn to paddle together in order to succeed. This experience turned out to be the highlight of our week in Breckenridge, CO! I know that I have never done anything in my life that was as much fun. Our grandchildren are still telling everyone about their adventure. Thank you AVA for helping to make a memorable trip to Colorado with our grandchildren even more memorable with your expert guides and equipment.
We offer launch dates in May and early June 2011 for this 175-mile section of river. Choose part or all of the river to float. Trips will include hearty meals, astounding scenery, side hikes to see Anasazi ruins, fun whitewater, hearty meals, and memorable evenings around a campfire under star-filled night skies.
Join us to explore this famed river, to hear a canyon wren’s descending spiral call within its corridors, or see cacti in bloom on a side-canyon hike. We look forward to sharing this incredible trip with you!
Dolores 3-day Trip:
Starting 12 miles below McPhee Reservoir, this trip runs from Bradfield Launch to Slickrock, also known as Ponderosa Gorge. This 47-mile run is full of intermediate Class III rapids with one easily scouted Class IV+ rapid thrown in to keep everyone on their toes. Tawny canyon walls are interspersed with tall Ponderosa pines. Box Elders soon appear as the canyon walls begin to back off from the river banks. $599, ages 10+
Dolores 6-Day Trip:
You’ll follow the same itinerary as the 3-day trip, then continue on from Slickrock to Bedrock, through 50 more miles of the mellow Class II and III rapids. The canyon walls begin to dissolve into more rolling hills, and we’ll find riverside camps inside groves of enormous Cottonwoods. Just when you think the scenery is mellowing out, the river will wind through a deep canyon where the 1,200-foot sandstone walls towering above your head keep you awestruck for hours. $999, ages 10+
Dolores 10-day Trip:
Raft the entire 175-mile corridor of the Dolores, all the way to the confluence with the Colorado River at Dewey Bridge. The second half of the trip holds the biggest whitewater surprises! Your cares will melt away as you give yourself over to 10 days of river life. This is truly a life-changing experience! $1699, age 10+
