Trip Recommender
AVA offers a range of rafting adventures in multiple locations, from beginner floats to the biggest Class V thrills. Whether you’re interested in laid back and scenic or high adrenaline thrills; a couple hours on the water or a couple days; or you’re hoping to combine several different activities with your Colorado white water rafting trip, AVA can provide an adventure of a lifetime. Let us find the perfect white water rafting trip in Colorado for your group, whether you’re bringing grandma and the grandkids or putting together an activity for a bachelor party!
LOCATION: Buena Vista, CO
ACTIVITIES: Whitewater Rafting Colorado
DURATION: 1/2 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 4
RIVER RATING: Class III
MINIMUM AGE: 7 years old
PRICE: from $89-$99 Ages 13+
from $79-$89 Ages 7-12
LOCATION: Kremmling, CO
ACTIVITIES: Whitewater Rafting Colorado
DURATION: 1/2 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 2
RIVER RATING: Class II
MINIMUM AGE: 2 years old
PRICE: from $69 – $79 Ages 13+
from $51.75 – $59.25 Ages 2-12
LOCATION: Buena Vista, CO
ACTIVITIES: Whitewater Rafting Colorado
DURATION: 1/2 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 5
RIVER RATING: Class IV
MINIMUM AGE: 15 years old
PRICE: from $104 – $109 Ages 15+
(15yrs is the minimum age for this trip)
Looking for the best river for whitewater rafting in Colorado? There’s a lot that can go into choosing the right river for your Colorado rafting adventure. You’re probably asking, “what’s the best rafting river near me?” or “what’s the best river to raft with a young family?”, these are great questions. Here at AVA, we operate on some of Colorado’s most iconic rivers including the Colorado, Arkansas, and Clear Creek.
Each river has its own personality and unique options for half-day rafting trips, full days, overnights, Class II to Class V, and recommended experience levels. Be sure to consider how far you are willing to drive for your river trip; while AVA’s outposts are typically located 1 to 2 hours from Colorado’s top destinations, you’ll want to be sure you know where the trip you’re researching is located.
Take a look at the following river selection and if you have questions, you can always give us a call and talk to our experienced trip sales staff who can help find a trip that’s right for you, your group, or your family.
The Arkansas River is conveniently located in Central Colorado, with whitewater rafting tours typically launching out of our beautiful Buena Vista outpost. The Arkansas River is one of Colorado's most famous whitewater rafting destinations, hosting the most popular stretch of water in the United states that flows through the iconic Browns Canyon National Monument. The Arkansas is dam controlled, making it a "bit" more predictable year after year, and it accommodates a diversity if experience levels and epic overnight adventures.
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Clear Creek is a popular river as it's conveniently located just 30 minutes from Colorado's "Mile High" capital Denver. Winding through the beautiful foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Clear Creek is an addictingly moody river that boasts a diversity of difficulties and scenery that includes the town where the Gold Rush started.. You will find rafting options for beginners all the way through advanced rafting stretches, you can even book packages that include exclusive guided access to our "cliffside" zipline and via ferrata courses.
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Our Colorado River rafting trips start from our exclusive outpost in Kremmling, Colorado. Just an hour north of Breckenridge, and a slightly longer haul from the city, this stretch of the Colorado River is the perfect rafting location for those wanting to enjoy spectacular mountain ranges, wildlife, fun rapids, and floats for the whole family. You can even mix up your watercraft and trips with our inflateable kayaks (called "duckies") and standup paddleboards. This outpost and river also offer guided fly fishing tours, floats, all-inclusive overnight trips, and gear rentals for you to explore the river yourself.
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The "elusive" Blue River runs right through the heart of Frisco, Keystone, and Breckenridge. The Blue River is a treat for anyone lucky enough to be in Colorado when it's running, as it takes a perfect combination of snowpack and the right conditions to actually run this river. Rafting on the Blue River is not only exciting but a uniquely breathtaking way to explore the mountains via raft, and it's perfect for all levels.
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Whether it’s your first rafting trip or your 100th, it’s always important to take your time evaluating the different whitewater rafting trips in Colorado. Some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a whitewater rafting trip are the minimum ages and weights listed for that particular trip. If you’re a young family, we recommend our Colorado River float trips as those trips are more mellow and have the lowest age/weight requirements. Another great resource is our FAQs page.
Whitewater rafting comes in a variety of “flavors”. From extra-spicy, adrenaline-inducing, ghost pepper, to lightly salted and scenic with a side of wildlife. If you have an appetite for some of the more “spicy” trips, consider not only your own fitness level but more so, that of your entire group; because getting a raft down the river requires everyone to paddle together. If you’re curious about our rafting difficulty levels and the different river classifications, click here.
Rafting is a very popular Colorado pastime and bucket-list adventure for many. We highly recommend booking your trip ahead of time, either through our website or by calling our friendly human trip specialists; who are available 7 days a week all year long at 800-370-0581. Once you’ve booked your trip, a detailed confirmation letter will be emailed to you that includes: driving directions, a gear list, trip time, date(s), and more.
