Current River Conditions
Colorado's Rivers
Current as of 11/10/2025
The 2025 rafting season has officially closed for all of our rivers including the Upper Colorado, the Arkansas, and Clear Creek. While rafting will return in 2026, each of these stretches remains a guest favorite: the mellow, scenic Upper Colorado; the exciting, family-friendly Arkansas; and the action-packed Clear Creek. Mark your calendar for next spring and get ready for another unforgettable season on the water.
Our adventure doesn’t stop when rafting does. AVA’s aerial adventures in Idaho Springs, featuring mountaintop ziplining and our guided Via Ferrata, kick off again in May. It’s the perfect way to keep the thrills going until rafting season returns in 2026!
The 2025 Rafting & Adventure Season
Our 2025 adventure trips are now open for booking! Book your trip as soon as you know your vacation dates to secure the best deals and availability. Be sure to check here for updates on the best rafting trips for your crew based on CFS (Cubic Feet per Second) and flow rates. These tips can help you learn more about Colorado’s rivers, rafting conditions, and options for your group.
Water Conditions & Trip Age Restrictions
Colorado River
From our Kremmling, Colorado outpost, our <a href="https://www.coloradorafting.net/destinations/colorado-river/">Upper Colorado River</a> <a href="https://www.coloradorafting.net/trips/scenic-float-half-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scenic Float Trips</a> provide a chance to cool down and relax amidst the beautiful scenery of the Colorado River. These are the best trips to tailor to your specific group, with younger kids, adults, and grandparents enjoying their day out on the river. On the Upper Colorado River, you’ll have the opportunity to sunbathe, swim, and even leap from jump rock if water levels permit. For those looking for a unique experience or to elevate the adventure, try paddling one of our <a href="https://www.coloradorafting.net/trips/inflatable-kayaks-half-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inflatable Kayaks</a> or <a href="https://www.coloradorafting.net/trips/stand-up-paddleboard-half-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stand Up Paddleboards</a>! Fall is also the perfect time to try out a <a href="https://www.coloradorafting.net/adventures/fly-fishing/#filter/6">Fly- Fishing</a> trip! Our <a href="https://www.coloradorafting.net/trips/upper-c-wade-fly-fishing-trip/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Walk & Wade</a> and <a href="https://www.coloradorafting.net/trips/upper-colorado-4-hour-fly-fishing-trip-2/">float fishing</a> trips on the Upper Colorado River offer the opportunity to learn fly-fishing tips and tricks from one of our experienced guides, with current water levels and temperatures making for great catches.
-
Colorado Scenic Float-Half Day
This wonderful Colorado River float trip is a gently flowing section that is inviting to all ages. You’ll encounter a few small rapids as the Colorado River winds through the Gore Range and Mountain Ranchland.
-
Scenic Float Full Day
Experience the natural beauty of the Colorado River on our Full Day Upper Colorado Full Day Scenic Float trip! You’ll paddle a gently flowing section of the Colorado River that is inviting to all ages, encountering a few small class II rapids, as you wind through the Gore Range and mountain ranch land.
-
Inflatable Kayaks Half Day
Looking to take charge of the river? On AVA’s Upper Colorado Inflatable Kayak ½ Day trip you can do just that! Whether you want to try something new or are seeking a little extra excitement or independence, the Upper Colorado Inflatable Kayak trip is perfect for you!
Age Restrictions
- Half & Full Day Scenic Float (Class II) – 2+ years old and least 30 lbs: CLOSED
- Inflatable Kayaks – 10+ years (with adult); 14+ alone: CLOSED
- SUPs: 13 + years: CLOSED
- Colorado River Fly-Fishing trips (Walk & Wade and Overnight): CLOSED
Water Conditions & Trip Age Restrictions
Arkansas River
Our mellower Browns Canyon trips on the Arkansas River offer a milder experience for all members of the family, with class III whitewater rafting through the majestic granite walls of Browns Canyon National Monument. Choose from our <a href="https://www.coloradorafting.net/trips/browns-canyon-half-day/">Browns Canyon</a> half-day, 3/4 day <a href="https://www.coloradorafting.net/trips/browns-canyon-express/">Browns Canyon Express</a>, or the full day <a href="https://www.coloradorafting.net/trips/browns-canyon-sizzler/">Browns Canyon Sizzler</a>, depending on your timeframe. Join us on our 1/2 day <a href="https://www.coloradorafting.net/trips/the-numbers-half-day/">Numbers</a> trip or full day <a href="https://www.coloradorafting.net/trips/the-gauntlet-pine-creek-numbers/">The Gauntlet-Pine Creek and the Numbers</a> for a wilder ride on class III-V rapids. These two trips offer this same this stunning scenery, while stepping up the excitement. With panoramic views of the 14,000+ Collegiate Peaks Mountain Range and the Arkansas River valley, all Arkansas River trips provide plenty of opportunities to experience some of Colorado’s most beautiful scenery. Keep your eyes peeled, as you may even spot wildlife!
-
Browns Canyon 1/2 Day
Get ready to experience the best of Colorado on our Brown's Canyon half-day trip. This family-friendly adventure rushes you down the Arkansas River and through Browns Canyon National Monument on exciting yet mellower class III rapids.
-
Browns Canyon Sizzler
The full-day Browns Canyon Sizzler represents the ultimate Colorado rafting experience! This trip offers a full day of classic white water rafting through class III rapids on the Arkansas River, complete with a riverside fajitas lunch.
-
Browns Canyon Rafting + Via Ferrata
Excitement and scenery await on your Browns Canyon + Via Ferrata full-day adventure. Climb into the Rocky Mountains and rush the rapids of the mighty Arkansas River.
Age Restrictions
- Browns Canyon 1/2 Day, 3/4 Day Express, and Full Day Sizzler (class III)– 7+ years: CLOSED
- Numbers 1/2 Day (Class IV) – 15+ years: CLOSED
- The Gauntlet (Class IV & V) Full Day – 15+ years: CLOSED
Water Conditions & Trip Age Restrictions
Clear Creek
Clear Creek is a fast moving narrow river conveniently located just a half hour from Denver. Despite being close to Colorado's largest city, you are surrounded by beautiful national forest in the river valley. <a href="https://www.coloradorafting.net/trips/clear-creek-gold-rush/">Gold Rush</a> is a class III rafting trip that lasts about 1/3 of a day. This is a great trip for families and those looking to enjoy whitewater and paddling but don’t want to take on large challenging waves.
-
Gold Rush Clear Creek Rafting Adventure
Splash down the Clear Creek mining valley on our 1/3 day Gold Rush trip. Just a short half-hour trip from Denver, this family-friendly rafting adventure offers a fun outdoor adventure that everyone in your group will enjoy.
-
Gold Rush Rafting+ Zipline
Join us on one of our best family trips, and experience Colorado fun on the river and in the air. From our Idaho Springs outpost, paddle Clear Creek's best family-friendly whitewater and soar through the trees on our cliffside zipline course.
-
Upper Clear Creek Half Day Rafting Trip
Our Upper Clear Creek adventure will keep your paddle moving and your heart pounding as you crash through class IV rapids. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, and keep your eyes peeled for big horn sheep, otters, and other native wildlife that are commonly spotted on many of our Colorado whitewater rafting trips.
Age Restrictions Gold Rush 1/3 Day (Class III) – 6+ years, 50 lb. minimum: CLOSED Upper Clear Creek 1/2 Day (Class IV) – 15+ years: CLOSED Lower Canyon (Class IV-V) - 15+ years: CLOSED
Water Conditions & Trip Age Restrictions
Blue River
The Blue River is a beautiful river that runs north of Breckenridge and offers great whitewater in the heart of Summit County. This river offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and gore range. Because the Blue River is fed by water directly from Lake Dillon in the mountains, conditions must be absolutely perfect for it to be runnable; this year is only the second time in 4 years that we have been lucky enough to raft this river! <a href="https://www.coloradorafting.net/trips/blue-river-express/">The Blue River Express</a> is a great trip for those looking to get a little wet, paddle through some class III rapids, and enjoy stunning scenery the entire way. This is a quick trip that lasts about 1/3 of a day, so you will have plenty of time to pair it with another activity.
BLUE RIVER & NEARBY TRIPS
-
Blue River Express White Water Rafting Trip
Join AVA on the Blue River on this 1/3-day family-friendly rafting trip! Splash through class II-III rapids and marvel at the scenery around you as you paddle down one of Colorado's lesser-known yet quintessential rivers.
-
Inflatable Kayaks Half Day
Looking to take charge of the river? On AVA’s Upper Colorado Inflatable Kayak ½ Day trip you can do just that! Whether you want to try something new or are seeking a little extra excitement or independence, the Upper Colorado Inflatable Kayak trip is perfect for you!
-
Walk & Wade Fly Fishing Trip
Explore the incredible waters of the Upper Colorado River with a knowledgeable fishing guide. It doesn't matter if it's your first-time fishing or you're a seasoned angler, this trip is fit for all levels of experience.
Age Restrictions
- Blue River Express 1/3 Day (class II-III) – 8+ years: CLOSED
Gift an Adventure trip in the heart of the Colorado Rockies!
If you are looking for the perfect last minute gift, look no further than AVA! Price out your whole trip and choose gift card at checkout.
Is Whitewater Rafting Safe?
Glossary of Terms
CFS: cubic feet per second
The calculation for CFS is river width x depth x speed (flow and gradient). Each river has a number of sections where readings for the CFS are taken, and 1 section of a river may have a different CFS than another section of the same river. Every river is different, so what may be a high CFS on one river might be completely normal on another. Check out the latest CFS for Colorado’s Rivers, as well as a whether it’s running low, high or runnable, on Mountain Buzz.
Snowpack
Gradient
The steepness of the river bed. Expressed in feet/mile.
Hydraulics
Water that is circulating over top of itself. Can often result in holes and breaking waves.
Holes
Water flowing over a rock or other obstruction that creates a void that circulates water rather than allowing it to flow downstream.
Rapids
Water that is flowing over an obstruction that leads to breaking waves. Rapids are typically formed by rocks below the surface of the water.
Eddies
Sections of still water next to shore that are used by raft guides to pull over and take breaks.
Strainer
A pile of sticks, branches and debris that have created an obstruction that only allows small items and limited amounts of water to pass through.