Denver
Some of the best whitewater rafting in Colorado is just 30 minutes from Denver! Clear Creek flows through Golden’s whitewater park and the town of Idaho Springs, with opportunities to float, kayak, and raft class III through V rapids, making it easy to escape the city and cool down for an afternoon or day on the water.
Mile High Adventure Awaits
Denver, Colorado provides the perfect opportunity to explore cultural attractions, markets, festivals, museums, and urban excitement while maintaining easy access to the best of Colorado’s outdoors. Join AVA at our Idaho Springs outpost a half hour from Denver for whitewater rafting, zipline, and Via Ferrata adventures!
Explore Denver
Top Trips
Denver’s central location in Colorado also makes it easy to access mountain adventures without excessive travel time. At our Idaho Springs location, and you will find whitewater rafting on class III through V rapids, ziplining, Via Ferrata, and the chance to combine adventures with a multi-adventure package.
Denver Whitewater Rafting
Denver Whitewater Rafting
Our Idaho Springs outpost is just 30 minutes from Denver, making it easily accessible for a day trip! Here, you can experience whitewater rafting for all levels on Clear Creek, which passes through historic Idaho Springs and offers the best whitewater rafting near Denver.
Clear Creek Trips
As you paddle along Clear Creek, you’ll pass through the historic town of Idaho Springs and its picturesque mining valley. Immerse yourself in stunning Colorado views and keep an eye out for local wildlife, all while navigating thrilling rapids.
For a milder introduction to whitewater rafting, perfect for all ages, we recommend our 1/3 day Clear Creek Gold Rush trip. Splash through eleven thrilling class III rapids, finding adventure in a family-friendly experience.
For those seeking a slightly more challenging experience, our Upper Clear Creek 1/2 Day trip is ideal, as you rush through class IV rapids with steeper technical sections, and our Lower Canyon 1/2 day trip provides an introductory option to more challenging class V whitewater rapids that will get your heart racing.
For those craving the highest level of intensity, our Phoenix trip is the ultimate choice. This full-day advanced adventure spans 20 miles, offering non-stop excitement and thrilling moments at every turn!
Other Denver Adventures
At our Idaho Springs location, your group also has the opportunity to participate in a zipline or Via Ferrata adventure. Both of these aerial activities will get you high into the Rocky Mountains, providing an aerial view of historic Idaho Springs and the surrounding area.
With the variety of adventures available we recommend combining your Clear Creek rafting experience with a zipline or Via Ferrata trip in a full day multi-adventure package.
Discover Denver
The Closest River to Denver
The Clear Creek runs through Idaho Springs and Golden Colorado, with rafting access just a half hour away in Idaho Springs.
The Closest Outpost to Denver
Our Idaho Springs location, a half hour from Denver, is the closest outpost to Denver and offers opportunities to try out rafting, ziplining, and a Via Ferrata course.
Thrill Seekers
Our Phoenix trip from our Idaho Springs outpost is a full day adventure through wild class V rapids. You will experience 20 miles on the river through the most advanced whitewater in the Denver area! Or try one of our advanced half-day trips on the Upper Clear Creek and Lower Canyon, and combine these rafting experiences with an exciting Via Ferrata course.
Family-Friendly
From our Idaho Springs outpost, our Clear Creek Gold Rush 1/3 Day trip provides a perfect opportunity for families and beginner rafters to have fun and learn the basics! This class III adventure allows those as young as 6 years old to get out on the water and experience the thrill of rafting. Package this rafting trip with a ziplining experience for a full day of multi-adventure fun.
Aerial Adventures
Our Idaho Springs outpost offers our Cliffside Zipline course, just 30 minutes from Denver! This course features 6 lines, including a jungle bridge, hanging bridge, and dual race line. Guests can also experience our Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata course. Climb into the cliffside above the Chicago Creek and Idaho Springs, clipping in and out of cables as you traverse bridges and iron rungs
Denver Parks and Gardens
Denver is home to numerous parks and gardens, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Visit City Park, the largest park in Denver, which features lakes, jogging trails, and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Stroll through the Denver Botanic Gardens, showcasing a diverse collection of plants from around the world, as well as art installations and seasonal events.
Concerts and Festivals
Denver comes alive with outdoor concerts and festivals during the summer months. Check out the lineup at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a world-famous outdoor venue set amidst stunning rock formations. From music concerts to film screenings and yoga sessions, Red Rocks offers a unique and unforgettable outdoor entertainment experience. Additionally, explore various street festivals, art walks, and cultural events happening throughout the city.
Museums
Beat the heat and explore Denver’s museums and cultural attractions. Visit the Denver Art Museum, showcasing a diverse collection of artwork spanning various cultures and time periods. Explore the History Colorado Center, where interactive exhibits and artifacts tell the story of Colorado’s rich history and heritage. Additionally, don’t miss the Denver Zoo and the Downtown Aquarium, both offering family-friendly entertainment and educational experiences.
Denver Location
Denver is the capital city of the state of Colorado and serves as the political, economic, and cultural hub of the region. Denver, located in Denver County, is centrally located in Colorado, nestled at the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains.
Denver History
Denver’s history traces back to the Gold Rush era of the mid-19th century when it was founded as a mining town in 1858. Originally established as Denver City, it quickly grew into a supply hub for miners seeking fortune in the nearby Rocky Mountains. Over the years, Denver evolved into a major metropolitan area, serving as the state capital of Colorado and becoming a center for commerce, culture, and outdoor recreation in the region.
Best Time to Raft
The best time to raft the Clear Creek near Denver is May through August. Thrill seekers will enjoy the higher water levels of late May through June, while everyone will appreciate the chance to escape the heat in July and August.
Denver Trips
At our Idaho Springs outpost, we offer outdoor adventure trips for ages 6 and up. These include whitewater rafting, ziplining, Via Ferrata, and multi-adventure packages with 1/2 day and full day options available.
Explore All Denver Adventures
Browns Canyon 1/2 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 [...]
Colorado Scenic Float-Half Day
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 [...]
Numbers 1/2 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 [...]
Colorado Via Ferrata – Granite
Adventure awaits as you conquer the cliffside on this unique mountaintop climbing experience. Feel a rush of adrenaline as you traverse across and above [...]
Browns Canyon Half Day + Zipline Package
This multi-adventure package will keep you energized and smiling the entire day, as you fly through the trees on our Mountaintop Zipline course and [...]
The Gauntlet – Pine Creek & Numbers
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 [...]
The Numbers Half Day + Zipline
Experience an action-packed day with two of Colorado’s best summer activities. Soar between trees on our Mountaintop Zipline course and then splash your way [...]
Browns Canyon Rafting + Via Ferrata
Excitement and scenery await on your Browns Canyon + Via Ferrata full-day adventure. Climb into the Rocky Mountains and rush the rapids of the [...]
Idaho Springs
Idaho Springs, CO
Idaho Springs, located just 30 minutes from Denver and within an hour of Boulder, Summit County and Winter Park, is home to one of our AVA outposts! Colorado’s first gold was discovered here, and it is said that the Gold Rush originated in Idaho Springs. Visitors can explore the areas rich history through tours of the Argo Mill and Tunnel and Phoenix Gold Mine and relax in the notable Indian Hot Springs. The town also boasts several unique and local restaurants you will want to check out after your outdoor adventure!
The Idaho Springs area offers the best Whitewater Rafting near Denver on the Clear Creek, and our outpost includes exciting cliffside Zipline and Via Ferrata tours. The area’s location near Mount Evans, one of Colorado’s numerous 14ers, offers opportunities for hiking and wildlife spotting, and visitors can drive to the summit via the Mount Evans Scenic Byway.
Breckenridge
Breckenridge, CO 80424
The magic of summer in the mountains comes alive in Breckenridge, Colorado. Located within Summit County, Breckenridge offers skiing and snowboarding, alongside plenty of opportunities for winter sports, yet the temperate summer weather and high alpine environment transform Breckenridge into a mecca for summer adventure. Breckenridge, Colorado is the place to visit if you are looking for a hip mountain town with access to the best outdoor adventures the Colorado mountains have to offer. Best of all, you’ll find Whitewater Rafting trips near Breckenridge on 4 different rivers!
In summer, Breckenridge hosts several festivals, a vibrant downtown arts scene, and numerous high alpine adventures. Its downtown Main Street includes numerous restaurants, bars, and shops, and people flock from across Summit County and Colorado to try Breckenridge’s diverse food scene. The town also offers cultural and arts opportunities, including open galleries, arts classes, and multiple museums. Whether you’re looking to explore the mountains, the town’s rich history, or its unique food scene, Breckenridge has a plethora of diverse adventure opportunities for all!
Kremmling
1606 Park Avenue
Kremmling, CO 80459
Kremmling is the perfect destination for families looking for a mountain getaway. Our Upper Colorado River Scenic Float rafting trip welcomes adventurers as young as 2 years old on a half day or full day adventure on mellow Class II rapids. While in Kremmling, be sure to also try one of our Fly Fishing excursions or kick up dirt on our UTV Rentals!
You will find our Kremmling outpost just 45 minutes from Summit County and just under two hours from Denver.
Buena Vista
40671 US-24
Buena Vista, CO 81211
If using Google Maps, ‘US 24 North’ is incorrect and will take you 10 miles south of us. Type in the address exactly as listed above to ensure correct directions.
On the hunt for a true mountain excursion? Head to Buena Vista, Colorado to raft through a national monument on our Brown’s Canyon 1/2 day trip, fly above the Arkansas River Valley on our Mountaintop Zipline, or Rock Climb the majestic Granite Gorge Cliffs, where views of the majestic Collegiate Peaks will take your breath away.
AVA’s Buena Vista Outpost is located just over an hour from Summit County and under two and a half hours from Denver, Colorado.
Clear Creek
Clear Creek
Clear Creek runs from Loveland Pass through Golden and The Front Range and eventually joins up with the South Platte River. This river flows through Clear Creek Canyon in the Rocky Mountains directly west of Denver, following alongside I-70 and through the town of Idaho Springs, where the first gold was found in the late 1850s during the Colorado gold rush.
Located in an old mining valley in the Colorado Rockies, its proximity to Denver, Boulder, Summit County and Winter Park makes Clear Creek rafting an easily accessible favorite for locals and travelers alike. Conveniently located only 30 minutes from Denver, our Idaho Springs outpost allows easy access to one of Colorado’s most well known rivers. Clear Creek runs through Idaho Spring’s historic mining valley, providing opportunities for scenic views and potential wildlife spotting, while flowing through fun and floaty rapids.
Arkansas River
40671 US-24
Buena Vista, CO 81211
The Arkansas River in Colorado begins in the Sawatch Range near Leadville and Buena Vista and joins the Mississippi River in Arkansas. The Arkansas River is one of Colorado’s most notable natural landmarks and waterways and offers some of North America’s most popular whitewater stretches. Here you’ll find everything from the wild and challenging section of Pine Creek near Granite, CO, to the thrilling and scenic family-friendly rapids of Browns Canyon near Buena Vista, to the towering rock walls of the Royal Gorge near Cañon City. With every class of whitewater available and great Colorado rafting for families with young kids, groups and adrenaline junkies, Arkansas River rafting truly has something for everyone.
Colorado River
Kremmling, Colorado
The Colorado River, a spectacular force of nature, is the lifeblood of the American West. Meandering over 1,450 miles from the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains all the way to the deserts of Mexico, this river passes through five U.S. states and eleven National Parks. As one of the longest rivers in the United States, it has etched some of the world’s most awe-inspiring features into the earth, including the Grand Canyon.
Along its course, the Colorado River represents a vital water source for millions of people and agricultural areas, as well as supports a rich diversity of wildlife. It also serves as a recreational paradise, offering world-class opportunities for white-water Rafting, Fishing, and Camping, and its rich and enduring history makes the Colorado River a crucial aspect of the landscape of the western United States.
The Colorado River offers rafting numerous opportunities for Whitewater Rafting amidst the backdrop of stunning scenery. From fun float trips appropriate for ages 2 and up to challenging, pulse-pounding rides, the Colorado River has river trips for everyone. Join AVA in Kremmling, Colorado for a trip down this mighty river, where the area’s mellower waters make it the perfect destination for river adventure, with activities including Rafting, Fly-Fishing, Kayaking, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding.