Estes Park

Our outpost in Idaho Springs provides access to Clear Creek and some of the best class III through V rafting in the area. Located 1 hour and 45 minutes from Estes park and only 30 minutes from Denver, Idaho Springs provides convenient and thrilling outdoor experiences, whether you’re visiting Estes Park or on your way to Denver!

Wilderness Awaits with AVA

Surrounded by Rocky Mountain National Park and only an hour and a half outside of Denver, Estes Park boasts a variety of outdoor activities and attractions with stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. Most notably, Rocky Mountain National Park offers hiking and wildlife spotting, while the town of Estes hosts Lake Estes, with opportunities for boating, fishing, or relaxing.

Explore Estes Park

Top Trips

At our Idaho Springs outpost, just one hour and 45 minutes from Estes Park, we offer Whitewater Rafting on Clear Creek suitable for all ages and skill levels. In addition to rafting, we host unforgettable Cliffside Zipline and Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata trips, allowing you to soar through the air and conquer the Rocky Mountains. For those looking to make the most of their Colorado trip, we also offer adventure packages that combine multiple experiences, so your day truly is action packed!

  1. Gold Rush Clear Creek Rafting Adventure

      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.

  2. Gold Rush Rafting+ Zipline

      Join us on one of our best family trips, and experience Colorado fun on the river and in the air. From our Idaho Springs outpost, paddle Clear Creek's best family-friendly whitewater and soar through the trees on our cliffside zipline course.  

  3. Clear Creek Gold Rush Rafting + Via Ferrata

    <strong>This trip requires a 20-person minimum to book. Please call us at 1-877-RAFTING to book, so we can customize your group's overnight rafting experience.</strong> Experience Colorado's best overnight white water rafting trip! This trip provides a unique experience on the most popular stretch of whitewater rafting in the country as an exclusive overnight river rafting trip in the heart of the Rockies. We'll supply all the gear, you bring your sleeping bag and get ready to take in spectacular mountain scenery while paddling down the majestic Arkansas River. This is a true Colorado river rafting adventure for those who are looking to experience a night under the stars. Overnight rafting trips in Colorado are like no other! After a couple of hours of rafting, we'll set up camp in the heart of Browns Canyon, CO for a spectacular evening. You can go for a hike or tie a line while we set up camp and cook you a delicious dinner under the stars with friends. Enjoy stories with a fire, then retire and wake to a delicious breakfast. After your hearty meal and a hot cup of coffee, we pack up and launch our boats to enjoy a morning of fantastic intermediate whitewater. <em>Food is subject to change.</em>

  4. Cliffside Zipline Half Day

    Fly through the trees on our exciting 6-line zipline course in Idaho Springs. This trip includes features such as a dual race line, hanging bridge, and log cross, with the entire family having a blast on this half-day adventure!  

  5. Mount Blue Sky, Colorado Via Ferrata

    Get your heart up on one of our most daring adventure trips! On our Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata course, you will traverse the cliffside in this unique assisted climbing experience, with views of the Rockies and the town of Idaho Springs present the entire way.

  6. 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 the Colorado River winds through the Gore Range and Mountain Ranchland.

Estes Park Whitewater Rafting

Family Friendly Whitewater

For a convenient trip ideal for all ages, we recommend our 1/3 day Gold Rush Rafting on Clear Creek. From our Idaho Springs outpost you will paddle through 11 rapids of more moderate yet exciting class III whitewater!  For those seeking a less challenging yet still exhilarating day of adventure, we recommend combining this trip with our cliffside zipline in a full day raft + zipline adventure package.

Adrenaline Rush Rafting

Clear Creek also offers opportunities for more intense rafting! Our Phoenix full day adventure will take you on an exhilarating 20 mile ride through class IV and V rapids, and includes a stop for a riverside barbeque lunch!
Our Lower Canyon trip will introduce thrill seekers to challenging class V rapids in a half day adventure, while our Upper Clear Creek half-day rafting trip offers continuous, steep sections through class IV rapids. All Clear Creek rafting adventures take you through majestic Colorado scenery, with opportunities for wildlife spotting along the bank.

Ziplining near Estes Park

Our Idaho Springs outpost offers our unique and exciting Cliffside Zipline course. Built directly into the mountainside rather than on raised platforms, this course takes you swinging through the trees and above the Chicago Creek. Your group will enjoy zipping down 6 lines, a hanging bride and log cross, and a race down our dual zipline. Combine this cliffside zipline adventure with a rafting trip to experience multiple adventures in one full day! For your Idaho Springs zip + raft multi-adventure package, choose between a cliffside zipline trip combined with our Upper Clear Creek, Lower Canyon, or Gold Rush rafting trips.

Via Ferrata near Estes Park

Our Idaho Springs outpost also hosts an exciting Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata course! Climb high into the cliffside across iron rungs and bars, experience a controlled freefall, and swing on several lines of our zipline course. This half day adventure can also be combined with our half-day Upper Clear Creek and Lower Canyon or 1/3 day Gold Rush rafting trips in a full day multi-adventure package!

Discover All Estes Park Adventures

 

FAQs

Where are you located?

AVA has locations across the state of Colorado. Our primary outposts are located in Idaho Springs, Kremmling, Buena Vista and Breckenridge. For more information on getting to your adventure with us, please visit our Getting Here page.

Is transportation to and from the outpost provided?

Transportation to the outpost is not included. You can enhance your experience and add our shuttle service as an additional offer during the booking process. If you add this transportation to your adventure, a private car will pick you up at your address and transport your group to our outpost, and our driver will be ready to take you home at the conclusion of your tour!

When is the best time to go rafting?

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

When can I go ziplining?

You can zipline with AVA from March through November each year! The Cliffside Zipline in Idaho Springs near Denver will open the first weekend of March and stay open on a limited schedule through the end of November. The Mountaintop Zipline in Buena Vista will open between the end of April and early May and stay open through Labor Day. During the summer there are zipline trips hourly starting at 8:00am at both locations.