Beginner white water rafting Colorado offers perfect introduction to rapids with expert guides and family-friendly adventures. These beginner white water rafting Colorado trips accommodate all ages and skill levels for safe, exciting experiences.
Why Choose Colorado for Beginner White Water Rafting
If you don’t have much experience rafting, choosing the right Whitewater Rafting experience for you can seem like a daunting endeavor. Beginner white water rafting Colorado operates from May through September with optimal conditions for first-time rafters. We’re here to help you break it down, so you can enjoy your experience on the water, feel confident, and have the most fun possible! Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about choosing a trip.
Beginner White Water Rafting Colorado: Are You Ready?
If you’re a first-timer, the answer is yes. But that doesn’t mean you’re restricted to a float trip. (If you want one of those, that’s okay too.) Beginner rafters will also have a great experience on our milder to intermediate trips on class II-IV rapids.
We find most of our guests don’t have extensive experience rafting, which why we’re here! We can’t wait to get you out on the water and show you how much fun it can be.
Beginner White Water Rafting Colorado: No Experience Required
No, that’s our job. With any of our Whitewater Rafting trips, our knowledgeable guides will give 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. Beginner white water rafting Colorado trips progress from gentle Class I-II floats to exciting Class III rapids as confidence builds.
What to Expect on Beginner White Water Rafting Colorado Adventures
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.
Beginner White Water Rafting Colorado: Safety and Preparation
All beginner white water rafting Colorado guides are CPR and First-Aid certified with extensive training and supervision. Not only are our guides CPR and First-Aid certified, but they go through extensive training, as well as lead a trip under the supervision of an experienced guide before guiding on their own. They additionally enjoy what they do and look forward to helping you have the best experience possible on the water! All necessary equipment for beginner white water rafting Colorado is provided, including safety gear and professional instruction.
Beginner White Water Rafting Colorado: Age Requirements and Family Options
Beginner white water rafting Colorado welcomes families with children as young as 2 years old on scenic floats and 6+ on Class III rapids.
Beginner White Water Rafting Colorado: Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Colorado perfect for beginner white water rafting?
AVA has established itself as a leader in the rafting and adventure outfitter business. Our goal is always to set the bar for our industry: from guides and training to guest service, outposts and gear. We know, we might be tooting out own horn a bit. But otherwise how will you know? Between our numerous, convenient locations across the state, our dedication to your experience and our highly-trained guides, you won’t be disappointed when you choose AVA in Colorado
- What age can kids start beginner white water rafting in Colorado?
We allow children on our rafting trips. We offer trips that are great for children 2+, 5+, 6+, and 7+ depending on the class and water level. Read more about our kid friendly trips here.
- Do I need any experience for beginner white water rafting Colorado trips?
Not at all! While some trips are more physically demanding than others and require a moderate to high physical fitness level, they do not necessarily require any previous whitewater rafting experience. Just because you are planning your first rafting trip does not mean you need to start out on beginner level rapids.
- What’s included in beginner white water rafting Colorado adventures?
AVA Rafting & Zipline provides wetsuits and splash jackets free of charge, unlike the majority of other rafting outfitters. For your whitewater adventure, you’ll need to wear shoes that stay securely on your feet and we suggest quick dry clothing… no cotton!
- When is the best time for beginner white water rafting in Colorado?
If you’re planning a vacation to Colorado you likely have a limited time window from which to choose – and that’s just fine. Depending on the type of challenge, length of time you want to be on the river, and the location you’ll be visiting, we have multiple options for beginner to advanced paddlers.
The Best Time To Enjoy River Trips at AVA:
Arkansas River: May – Sept
Clear Creek: May – Sept
Colorado River: May – Sept
Blue River: June
Dolores River: May – June
Salt River: Late February – mid-May
- How safe is beginner white water rafting in Colorado?
White water rafting is safe, but there are inherent risks on every trip. Your risk on a rafting trip goes up as you get into higher class rapids such as class V. Learn more here.
Best Beginner White Water Rafting Colorado Trip Options
Scenic Float Trips for Beginner White Water Rafting Colorado
Beginner white water rafting Colorado offers convenient access from Denver, Summit County, and other major destinations. The mildest rafting you can do with AVA would be a Class I-II Scenic 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 trip, where you get to soak in your beautiful surroundings and relax.
Our scenic float trips run on the Upper Colorado River, leaving from our Kremmling Outpost, which is close to Summit County, Steamboat and Winter Park. From here, you have the option to choose from a full day or half day option. Both options offer time to swim, sunbathe, relax, and even jump from Jump Rock if water levels permit! The trip will wind through scenic Gore Range and mountain ranchland, with stunning views the entire way. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife!
Whether a beginner or not, many opt for this adventure instead of an adrenaline-packed experience. This level trip accommodates entire families with kids 5 years (full day) and 2 years (half day) and up. It’s also ideal for older guests who aren’t as confident in their paddling strength or—again—for those just looking for pure relaxation!
Class III Rapids: Next Level Beginner White Water Rafting Colorado
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 offers consistent whitewater. These trips are what we call our “family-style” whitewater trips as we take kids 6-7 years old and up (depending on the trip).
They are wonderful choices for family trips, first-timers and also for experienced rafters, as they include exciting stretches broken up by smaller riffles.
Most beginner rafters can quickly be taught how to paddle together to maneuver through these rapids. These represent 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). For this reason, our Class III adventures will be often be the best trips for mixed-ability groups of paddlers.
Top Beginner White Water Rafting Colorado Destinations
From our Buena Vista outpost, our half day Brown’s Canyon trip will take you on an exciting adventure down the Arkansas River. Raft through the majestic canyon and a National Monument and experience startling views the entire way. These trips combine the best of Colorado scenery with exciting class III rapids.
Our 24 Hours in Brown’s Canyon overnight trip is additionally a great trip for beginners, as it combines mellower class III rapids with a unique and unforgettable riverside camping experience under the stars. Suitable for ages 7 and up, this is an incredible opportunity to reconnect and spend quality time with your friends and family!
Just 30 minutes from Denver on the Clear Creek, we offer our 1/3 day Clear Creek Gold Rush trip. This trip takes adventurers on milder rapids through the Clear Creek mining valley. First-time rafters and experienced rafters should also consider our half day Upper Clear Creek trip, an exciting adventure on slightly more technical class III and IV rapids, also from our Idaho Springs outpost. Beginner white water rafting Colorado trips progress from gentle Class I-II floats to exciting Class III rapids as confidence builds.
We hope that this information has helped calm any pre-rafting nerves you might have had, as well as helped you choose a trip for you and your group! We offer fun and exciting experiences across ability levels, and we can’t wait for you to join us on the adventure of a lifetime. View all trips and get started today!
