Overnight Trips
Experience the best of Colorado by day and night, as you embark on an overnight rafting trip! These unique experiences allow everyone to get outside for multiple days on the water, camping under the stars, and time spent hanging out riverside with your group.
Your Overnight Adventure
AVA offers several options for overnight rafting in Colorado. Perfect for larger groups and families, overnight trips allow you to get out on the water and relax amidst beautiful Colorado scenery. We offer standard rafting overnights or mix it up and try one of our overnight fly-fishing trips! On overnight trips, you will spend a day rafting, settle in for a delicious meal prepared by your guides, relax riverside, and camp under the stars, waking up for an exciting next day on the river. We’ll take care of meals, gear, and all the logistics… your only requirement is to make lasting memories!What an Overnight Trip looks like
What to expect
On Your Overnight Trip
Our Guides, Your Safety
At AVA Rafting, we prioritize your safety above all else. As industry leaders in outdoor adventure, we have set the highest standards for expertise and safety. Our guides undergo rigorous training, surpassing both legal requirements and industry standards. You can trust that our CPR + First Aid certified guides are well-prepared for any situation and are equipped with first aid kits and top-of-the-line rescue gear on every overnight and rafting trip. Our highly qualified guides are trained to anticipate and prevent outdoor emergencies, ensuring that your adventure is both thrilling and safe. Beyond just safety, our guides define AVA and will define your overnight experience. They uphold the highest standards of professionalism, teamwork, and respect; they are deeply passionate about what they do, seeking to share this passion with our guests and help you make lasting memories in the great outdoors.
25 Years of AVA Adventure
Since 1998, AVA Rafting & Zipline has been a leader and innovator within Colorado's outdoor recreation industry. For 25 years, we've been dedicated to providing exceptional rafting and outdoor experiences, including our exciting overnight trips. We believe that an overnight whitewater rafting adventure with AVA goes beyond just excitement; it represents an opportunity to connect with the great outdoors of Colorado, cultivate an appreciation for our state's natural areas, and discover every nook and cranny of these incredible spaces.
Your Overnight Trip with AVA
AVA's overnight trips allow you and your group to experience the best of Colorado whitewater alongside an incredible riverside camping experience. There is no better way to reconnect with family, friends, and nature than by paddling through beautiful river valleys and sleeping under the stars. On an overnight rafting trip with AVA, all food, overnight gear, and the adventure itself are included. The only thing you need is your personal belongings and a sleeping bag! We have several different whitewater camping trip opportunities, with varying levels of rafting and adventure, allowing all adventure seekers to take part in a thrilling overnight experience—even kids.
Our Adventure Tips
On your overnight adventure, we’ll cover the meals, camping equipment, and rafting gear; all you need to worry about is bringing your own sleeping bag, or you can rent one from us! Please remember to bring a change of clothes, toiletries, and anything else you might want for your overnight on the river. As Colorado weather can be unpredictable, we recommend dressing in layers and bringing a raincoat. We also suggest packing sunscreen, lip balm, a water bottle, headlamp, hat, sunglasses, a small pillow, close-toed shoes, and other footwear for camp. While rafting, please wear secure shoes that you don't mind getting wet and that will stay on your feet at all times!
How to Choose Your
Overnight Trip
Difficulty of your overnight rafting trip: When choosing an overnight trip, be sure to check the rapids classification, keeping in mind minimum age, swimming ability, and fitness levels of your group. Read more about how we rate rapids and rivers on our Rafting page. Best time to raft: Water levels fluctuate based on Colorado snowmelt. High water usually occurs early to mid-June. Low flows are typically in late August. Minimum ages may be raised due to high water. Check our River Conditions page for updates on water levels for each river! Length of multi-day trips: Trips and camping experiences can last anywhere from 2 days to 10 days. Most people underestimate how comfortable camping can be and how relaxed you will feel, unplugged and connected with nature.
- 25 years in service
- Your safety is our job
- We set the bar high
- We have the trip for you
Explore the AVA Landscape
Find us across Colorado! Use our handy map to determine the activities convenient to your destination.Photo Packages & Retail
At the end of your overnight trip, you will return to our outpost, where you have the opportunity to browse photos from your trip, along with other souvenirs and retail options. Your guides put in tremendous effort to ensure an unforgettable journey, so if you had a fantastic time, gratuities are warmly welcomed and greatly appreciated. We sincerely hope that your adventure with AVA becomes a highlight of your spring or summer. We aim to provide experiences that leave a lasting impact, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the near future for more incredible adventures!Testimonials
We had an absolute blast! Our guides, Toast and Flip Flop, were hilarious and kept things very entertaining. We will be back for sure!
Trip Date: June 28, 2023 | Adventure: Ziplining | AVA Outpost: Idaho Springs, CO
Great place to go rafting.
- Am W.
FAQs
What do I bring?
In addition to a change of clothes and toiletries for your overnight camping experience, we recommend bringing a few other items to maximize comfort on your overnight trip. These include sunscreen, lip balm, a water bottle, headlamp, hat, sunglasses, a small pillow, closed-toed shoes for rafting, and extra footwear to wear at camp. Please check your confirmation email for other details about your rafting and camping trip and what to bring.
What Should I Wear?
Wearing layers and bringing options for warm days and cool nights will set you up for success on your overnight rafting experience. Don't forget these necessities: · Clothes/swimsuit under your wet suit · Shorts/T-shirt · Long Pants/Long Sleeve Shirt · Rain jacket/Fleece Jacket · Underwear/Extra socks
What is provided by AVA?
On an overnight rafting trip with AVA, all food, overnight gear, and the adventure itself are included. The only thing you need is an extra pair of clothes and a sleeping bag! We also have sleeping bags available for rent if you do not have one. We additionally provide wetsuits, PFDs, splash jackets, and all other rafting equipment.
What are meals like?
Breakfast/ lunch/ dinner occurring during your rafting and camping trip will be prepared for you. Bring additional snacks and water. Adult beverages are welcome (NO GLASS). Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advanced notice. Please check your individual trip for exact meal details.
Where do we sleep?
You will be sleeping in tents with sleeping bags/ sleeping pads under the breathtaking Colorado stars! Sleeping bags are available for rent or you can bring your own.
Are there showers?
No, there will not be showers on your camping experience, so expect to get a little dirty! It is unlikely that you will get muddy river water on your clothes or skin unless you roll around on the side of the riverbank. Although no showers will be available, it is recommended to bring along a bottle of biodegradable soap and a washcloth to wash off some grime while at camp. You can always opt for the good ole polar plunge into the river to wash off.
What about restrooms?
Everyone always wonders where you use the restroom while camping on the river. A groover system is used for solid waste, consisting of a toilet seat on a tripod stool (Typically an amazing view comes along with it!) As for liquid waste, you will be asked to pee on the ground or in the river a short distance away from camp. While on the river, rafters will be given a “poop kit” for mid-day needs.
What is the trip schedule like?
Expect to wake up around 7:00am-7:30am to enjoy coffee/ hot beverages while your guide prepares a delicious breakfast for you. You will pack up camp and get back out on the river between 9:00am and 10:00am. You’ll spend the morning rafting then pull over riverside for lunch. Expect to be on the river until about 3:00pm-5:00pm. Feel free to bring some riverside games (Frisbees/Deck of Cards/ Fishing Poles) for entertainment while at camp. Dinner and dessert will be served around the campfire (Barring any fire restrictions)
What can I expect regarding weather?
You may encounter a variety of weather while on your overnight rafting trip. Expect periods of rain (heavy at times). River corridors tend to be windy so dress for it! The best way to prepare is to pack enough clothing to keep you warm and dry, on and off the river. Be ready for the weather to change drastically throughout your trip. As the saying goes in Colorado... “If you don’t like the weather, wait about 10 minutes!”