Current as of 6/4/2023
Key:
LOW
RUNNING
HIGH
What’s the word on the 2023 season? We’ll keep you in the loop with what to expect this year on all of our favorite Colorado rivers, and give you suggestions on the best rafting trips for your crew based on CFS (Cubic Feet per Second) and flow rates. Check back frequently to hear updates from our trusty team member, Rescue Randy, so you know when to plan your adventures in the Rocky Mountains for this record-breaking 2023 season.
There is a reason that the Arkansas River near Buena Vista is the most commercially rafting river in the United States. This wide river valley is surrounded by 14,000 foot peaks, beautiful granite rocks, and incredible rapids. Browns Canyon offers whitewater rafting that is great for families who want to take in the views of the national park along with paddling through class III rapids. The numbers is a solid class IV trip where you should expect to paddle hard throughout your time on the river. Pine Creek is a section of river that drops in elevation quickly and pushes you through solid class IV rapids. *Expect portages to be involved in this stretch of rafting for the near future. It will be necessary to get out of water and carry raft for small distances occasionally.
We’re seeing some high water on the Arkansas River right now with the Numbers sitting around 1740 CFS. This means we can run the Pine Creek section of the river but do need to portage some rapids along that Class V section. Everything else is running the usual paths!
2,110 CFS in Browns Canyon
LOCATION: Buena Vista, CO
ACTIVITIES: Whitewater Rafting Colorado
DURATION: 1/2 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 4 (moderate)
RIVER RATING: Class III
MINIMUM AGE: 7 years old
PRICE: from $99 – $109 Ages 13+
from $89 – $99 Ages 7-12
LOCATION: Buena Vista, CO
ACTIVITIES: The Numbers Rafting, Via Ferrata
DURATION: Full Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 5 (intense)
RIVER RATING: Class IV
MINIMUM AGE: 15 years old
PRICE: from $239
LOCATION: Buena Vista, CO
ACTIVITIES: Browns Canyon Sizzler
DURATION: Full Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 4 (moderate)
RIVER RATING: Class III
MINIMUM AGE: 7 years old
PRICE: from $189
Clear Creek is a fast moving narrow “creek” along Highway 70. However, during most of your trip you won’t know that you are right off the highway because in the river valley you are surrounded by the beautiful national forest. Gold Rush 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. Upper Clear Creek is the class IV section of river that is great for those groups who want to work together and paddle hard through some large splashy waves. Lower Canyon is the class V section of clear creek that moves very fast through large waves. We recommend this trip for those looking to paddle long and hard.
Clear Creek is cruising along and is at a great water level right now. All sections of Clear Creek are running and open!
420 CFS
LOCATION: Idaho Springs, CO
ACTIVITIES: Whitewater Rafting Colorado
DURATION: 1/3 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 3 (moderate)
RIVER RATING: Class III
MINIMUM AGE: 6 years old
PRICE: from $64-$79 adults 13+
from $59-$74 ages 6-12
LOCATION: Idaho Springs, CO
ACTIVITIES: Ziplining, Whitewater Rafting Colorado
DURATION: Full Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 4 (moderate)
RIVER RATING: Class III
MINIMUM AGE: 6 years old
PRICE: from $164 for adults 13+
from $149 for ages 6-12
LOCATION: Idaho Springs, CO
ACTIVITIES: Whitewater Rafting Colorado
DURATION: 1/2 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 5 (intense)
RIVER RATING: Class IV
MINIMUM AGE: 15 years old
PRICE: from $69 – $89 Ages 15+
On this rafting trip you will experience a float into the canyon, high volume, splashy, fairly exciting class two rapids with one easy class three. These features last about 30-45 minutes of the trip and are all in the canyon. These features are currently appropriate for children over 30lbs. After the canyon you will have a beautiful float to the take out. Often the most exciting part for folks is the 30′ jump rock. To make this trip more challenging, try the stand up paddle boards and inflatable kayaks.
The Upper Colorado River tamed down a bit over the past week and what once was a quick CFS is now at a much more average water level. It’s a great time to get out there on an inflatable kayak or stand-up paddle board.
1,480 CFS
LOCATION: Kremmling, CO
ACTIVITIES: Whitewater Rafting Colorado
DURATION: 1/2 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 2 (mild)
RIVER RATING: Class II
MINIMUM AGE: 2 years old
PRICE: from $89-$99 Ages 13+
from $64-$74 Ages 2-12
LOCATION: Kremmling, CO
ACTIVITIES: Whitewater Rafting Colorado
DURATION: Full Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 2 (mild)
RIVER RATING: Class II
MINIMUM AGE: 5 years old
PRICE: from $229
LOCATION: Kremmling, CO
ACTIVITIES: Overnight & Multiday Rafting
DURATION: Overnight Multiday
DIFFICULTY: Level 2 (mild)
RIVER RATING: Class II
MINIMUM AGE: 8 years old
PRICE: from $339 Ages 13+
from $309 Ages 5-12
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. The Blue River Express is a great trip for those looking to get a little wet and paddle through some class III rapids. 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.
We haven’t seen the Blue run in a few years, but with our current snowpack hitting some milestones from last winter we’re crossing our fingers for a good number of trips on this river. We’re seeing a little progress on the CFS of the Blue, but imagine it may be another week or so before it gets to be where it needs to be.
110 CFS
LOCATION: Silverthorne, CO
ACTIVITIES: Whitewater Rafting Colorado
DURATION: 1/3 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 3 (moderate)
RIVER RATING: Class III
MINIMUM AGE: 5 years old
PRICE: rom $99 Ages 13+
from $94 Ages 5-12
LOCATION: Kremmling, CO
ACTIVITIES: Whitewater Rafting Colorado
DURATION: 1/2 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 3 (moderate)
RIVER RATING: Class II
MINIMUM AGE: 10 years old
PRICE: from $94-104 for ages 10+
LOCATION: Kremmling, CO
ACTIVITIES: Fly Fishing
DURATION: 1/2 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 2 (mild)
MINIMUM AGE: 10 years old
PRICE: from $299 – $349 for 1 person
from $349 for 2 people