The Best White Water Rafting Trips to Take in Colorado

White water rafting in Colorado offers some of the most exhilarating and scenic river adventures in the country, drawing thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike. With its rugged mountains, rushing rivers, and breathtaking landscapes, Colorado is a top destination for both first-timers and seasoned rafters. Among the many outfitters in the state, AVA Rafting & Zipline stands out as the premier choice for unforgettable rafting experiences. Known for their expert guides, top-tier safety standards, and access to some of the best rivers in the region—including the Arkansas River, Clear Creek, and the Colorado River—AVA delivers heart-pounding excitement combined with stunning natural beauty. Whether you’re chasing Class V rapids or enjoying a family-friendly float, AVA has a trip that’s perfectly tailored to your adventure level.

Browns Canyon Half Day

Get ready to experience the best of Colorado on our Brown’s Canyon half-day trip. This family-friendly adventure rushes you down the Arkansas River and through Browns Canyon National Monument on exciting yet mellower class III rapids.

• 1/2 Day Rafting trip on the Arkansas River
• Class III
• Minimum age 7 yrs and 50 lbs.
• Youth age is 7-12 years
• Excellent rafting for all ages and experience levels
• 10 miles of rafting through Browns Canyon
• Rapids include Zoom Flume and Pinball

Scenic Half Day Float

This wonderful Colorado River float trip is a gently flowing section that is inviting to all ages. You’ll encounter a few small rapids as the Colorado River winds through the Gore Range and Mountain Ranchland.

• 1/2 Day Rafting trip on the Upper Colorado River
• Minimum age 2 yrs & 30 lbs.
• Youth age is 2-12 years
• Perfect outing for families of nearly all ages
• Take in some incredible views as you paddle through the Class II-III rapids of the Colorado River
• Spot bald eagles, bighorn sheep, and leap from Jump Rock when the water levels permit

The Numbers Half Day

Looking for that quintessential Colorado whitewater rafting experience? Head to the Numbers section of the Arkansas River! If you are an experienced rafter looking to take it to the next level or an adventurous beginner up for a new challenge, the Numbers rafting trip is the perfect exhilarating adventure.

• 1/2 Day Rafting trip on the Arkansas River
• Advanced Class III – V
• Minimum age 15 yrs.
• The paddling on this stretch of whitewater demands good physical condition
• Navigate through 8 Class III and V rapids of the Arkansas River, including a steep ledge drop into No. 5.
• One of the best white water rafting trips in Colorado

The Gauntlet

Experience the wildest rafting offered on the Arkansas River in Colorado.  On this rafting adventure, you’ll have the opportunity to navigate the Pine Creek and Numbers sections of this iconic river, rushing through class III-V rapids under towering peaks and through Colorado’s most natural areas.

• 4-5 Hour Rafting trip on the Arkansas River
• Advanced + Class V
• Most advanced section of the Arkansas River
• You’ll start your paddling portion of this adventure by navigating the Class III & IV rapids of the Granite Gorge as you make your way to Pine Creek
• The river narrows by half and has the most continuous rapids in the state
• Catch your breath quick after Pine Creek and take on the Numbers Class IV rapids after
• Minimum age 15 yrs.
• The paddling on this stretch of whitewater demands good physical condition
• Get a FREE lunch on this adventure!

Browns Canyon Sizzler

The full-day Browns Canyon Sizzler represents the ultimate Colorado rafting experience! This trip offers a full day of classic white water rafting through class III rapids on the Arkansas River, complete with a riverside deli style lunch.

• 6-Hour Rafting trip on the Arkansas River
• Class III
• Minimum age 7 yrs & 50 lbs.
• Youth age is 7-12 years
• Excellent rafting for all ages and experience levels
• Full day excursion in the National Monument Browns Canyon
• Rapids include Zoom Flume, Pinball, Canyon Doors, and Seidel’s Suckhole!
• Get a FREE riverside lunch on this adventure!

Upper Clear Creek Rafting

Our Upper Clear Creek adventure will keep your paddle moving and your heart pounding as you crash through class IV rapids. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, and keep your eyes peeled for big horn sheep, otters, and other native wildlife that are commonly spotted on many of our Colorado whitewater rafting trips.

• 1/2 Day Rafting trip on Clear Creek
• Advanced Class IV
• Minimum age 15 yrs.
• The paddling on this stretch of whitewater demands good physical condition
• This continuous, steep, technical section will keep your paddle moving and your heart thumping as you crash through Class IV rapids such as Phoenix, Nomad, Fall River, and Outer Limits.
• This trip is about 8 miles on the river!
• One of the best white water rafting trips in Colorado (near Denver too)

Blue River Express

Join AVA on the Blue River on this 1/3-day family-friendly rafting trip! Splash through class II-III rapids and marvel at the scenery around you as you paddle down one of Colorado’s lesser-known yet quintessential rivers.

• 1/3 Day Rafting trip on the Blue River
• Minimum age 8 yrs & 50 lbs.
• Youth age is 8-12 years
• Times & Dates depend on availability due to the short season on Blue River
• Raft the Class II rapids of the Blue River in the heart of Summit County near Breckenridge, Keystone, and Silverthorne, Colorado.
• Enjoy two miles of continuous whitewater punctuated with breathtaking views of the Gore Range on this perfect adventure for families.

Gold Rush

Splash down the Clear Creek mining valley on our 1/3 day Gold Rush trip. Just a short half-hour trip from Denver, this family-friendly rafting adventure offers a fun outdoor adventure that everyone in your group will enjoy.

• 1/3 Day Rafting trip on Clear Creek
• Minimum age 6 yrs & 50 lbs.
• Youth age is 6-12 years
• A perfect family outing just west of Denver, Colorado
• Paddle through eleven Class II and Class III rapids on the Gold Rush stretch of Clear Creek
• Combine this trip with a Cliffside Zipline Tour on our Clear Creek Beginner + Zipline Package!

Overnight Colorado River Rafting

This trip offers something for everyone! Enjoy wildlife, serenity, and natural beauty that only the Colorado River can offer. You’ll have plenty of time to take in historic cabins, scenic waterfalls, and steep canyon walls towering over 100′ above your head. Bald eagles, black bears, and the endangered Colorado river otter are often seen on this fun section of the river.

• This trip runs from mid May to late September with custom launch dates
• Overnight trip on the Colorado River
• Perfect outing for families of nearly all ages
• Take in some incredible views as you paddle through the Class II-III rapids of the Colorado River
• Spot bald eagles, check out historical mining cabins, and leap from Jump Rock when the water levels permit
• Minimum age 5 yrs. or 30 lbs.
• After a good night’s sleep and filling breakfast, you’ll be ready to head back out to the river for a morning of more fun and relaxation.

The Lower Canyon on Clear Creek

Adrenaline seekers will love the Lower Canyon portion of Clear Creek, with opportunities to raft class IV and V rapids. This is a unique opportunity to explore some of the best whitewater in the state within a short distance of Denver.

• 1/2 Day Rafting trip on Clear Creek
• Advanced Class V
• Minimum age 15 yrs.
• The paddling on this stretch of whitewater demands good physical condition
• One of the most continuous stretches of whitewater on Clear Creek with a gradient that drops 150 feet per mile
• Start off with a bang with the infamous Beavers rapids with two steep drops that are sure to get your attention. Then navigate nonstop rapids like Guide Ejector, Hell’s Corner, and Corkscrew in the canyon

Scenic Float Full Day

Experience the natural beauty of the Colorado River on our Full Day Upper Colorado Full Day Scenic Float trip! You’ll paddle a gently flowing section of the Colorado River that is inviting to all ages, encountering a few small class II rapids, as you wind through the Gore Range and mountain ranch land.

• Full Day Rafting trip on the Upper Colorado River
• Minimum age 2 yrs & 30 lbs.
• Youth age is 2-12 years
• Perfect outing for families of nearly all ages
• Take in some incredible views as you paddle through the Class II-III rapids (water level dependent) of the Colorado River
• Spot bald eagles, bighorn sheep, and leap from Jump Rock when the water levels permit

Whether you’re craving an adrenaline-pumping ride through roaring rapids or a scenic float surrounded by Colorado’s stunning wilderness, white water rafting with AVA Rafting & Zipline is the best way to experience Colorado. With their knowledgeable guides, commitment to safety, and a wide range of trip options, AVA makes every rafting adventure both thrilling and unforgettable. So if you’re ready to dive into one of Colorado’s most iconic outdoor activities, there’s no better crew to ride the river with than AVA. Let the adventure begin!