Beginner Rafting Trips in Colorado

Beginner Rafting Trips: choosing the right Colorado whitewater rafting trip

Part 2 in our series on how to find the perfect rafting trip so that you have the most splendid adventure of your life! Read our first blog post about choosing the right Colorado rafting trip.

Am I A Beginner Rafter?

If you’re a first-timer, the answer is yes. But that doesn’t mean you’re restricted to a thumb-twiddling float trip. (If you want one of those, that’s okay too.)

Do I Need to Know What I'm Doing?

No, that's our job. With any of our whitewater rafting trips, you get a thorough Safety Talk to introduce you to or remind you of the things you need to know when you're on the river with us. Then you'll also learn all you need to know about how to paddle, the right way to sit in the raft, your guide's commands and how to work together as a team to get through the rapids. We make sure you're well informed and comfortable with all of this information.

Relaxing Bliss:

The very first lowest level of rafting you can do with AVA would be a Class I-III float trip, consisting of mostly Class II riffles. These stretches make the boat bob up and down and might require a bit of maneuvering on the part of the guide. You can participate by paddling a bit. But mostly this is a scenic float, where you get to soak in your beautiful surroundings and relax. This is what many people want out of their rafting trip instead of an adrenaline-packed experience, and that’s just great! In our opinion, any moment spent on the river is a good one! This level trip is great for kids 3+ (and 30 lbs or more). It’s also great for the older set who aren't so confident in their paddling strength or—again—for those just looking for pure relaxation! We recommend: Upper Colorado Scenic Float. The Scenic Float Half Day leaves from our Kremmling Outpost, which is close to Summit County, Steamboat and Winter Park, or we also offer transportation for the full day trip from Breckenridge and Keystone. This trip goes through the scenic Little Gore Canyon and also offers time to stop and leap from Jump Rock.

Some White in Your Water:

The other level of “Beginner” rafting is a trip with beginner-level whitewater, typically a Class III trip. This is the first level of rafting that has much consistent whitewater. These trips are what we call our “family-style” whitewater trips as we take kids 6-7 years old (depending on the trip). These trips are wonderful choices for family trips, first-timers and also for experienced rafters. Most beginner rafters can quickly be taught how to paddle together to maneuver through these rapids successfully.  Yet the great whitewater and the action keep experienced rafters well entertained too. These are participatory and active trips where everyone is paddling and working together to respond to the guide's commands (don't worry–all of that is taught to you when you start).  That's why our Class III adventures will be often be the best trips for mixed-ability groups of paddlers. We recommend: Any of our Brown's Canyon trips on the Arkansas River, such as the full-day Brown's Canyon Sizzler (includes the sizzlin'-hot chicken fajita lunch), the 3/4-day Brown's Canyon Express or the convenient Brown's Canyon Half Day. Just 30 minutes from Denver and an hour from Summit County and Winter Park is our Clear Creek Beginner trip. First-time rafters and experienced rafters should also consider the 24 Hours in Brown's Canyon overnight trip. This is an amazing getaway with fun whitewater and the most amazing riverside setting for your evening under the stars. An incredible opportunity to reconnect with your loved ones!

We want to help. Please give us a call at 800-370-0581 and we'll narrow down all of the choices to find the perfect trip for you!