Trip Recommender
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. The 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.
LOCATION: Idaho Springs, CO
ACTIVITIES: Whitewater Rafting Colorado
DURATION: 1/3 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 3 (moderate)
RIVER RATING: Class III
MINIMUM AGE: 6 years old
PRICE: from $64-$79 adults 13+
from $59-$74 ages 6-12
LOCATION: Idaho Springs, CO
ACTIVITIES: Ziplining, Whitewater Rafting Colorado
DURATION: Full Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 4 (moderate)
RIVER RATING: Class III
MINIMUM AGE: 6 years old
PRICE: from $158 for adults 13+
from $153 for ages 6-12
LOCATION: Idaho Springs, CO
ACTIVITIES: Whitewater Rafting Colorado
DURATION: 1/2 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 5 (intense)
RIVER RATING: Class IV
MINIMUM AGE: 15 years old
PRICE: from $69 – $89 Ages 15+
Clear Creek offers excellent Whitewater Rafting for all groups, ages, and ability levels. Whether you are looking for an exciting and adventurous family reunion activity, a unique introduction to the Colorado wilderness, or a different way to celebrate your bachelor party, Clear Creek has something for everyone. Because of its varying intensities and gorgeous landscape, Clear Creek is the premier whitewater location for anybody looking for a truly Colorado experience on the Front Range with rafting opportunities for all ages and abilities on class III through V rapids.
Our Clear Creek Gold Rush trip is great for families with kids as young as 6. This 1/3 day trip is a great introduction to whitewater rafting in Colorado and takes you through eleven Class III rapids as you paddle and splash your way down the Creek!
Looking to up the intensity? Our 1/2 day trip on Upper Clear Creek allows you to conquer some of the most intense whitewater rafting on Clear Creek! Enjoy this steep, technical section that will keep your paddle moving. This trip is exciting and physically demanding and will test your limits!
Ready for the best Clear Creek has to offer? The exhilarating Lower Canyon of Clear Creek trip is a 1/2 day advanced whitewater trip that plunges you through one of the most continuous sections of whitewater in Colorado. You will rush through impressive scenery and an even more impressive gradient that drops 150 feet/mile through the canyon.
Push your physical limits on our full day advanced trip, the Phoenix, which combines the Upper Clear Creek, the Gold Rush and the Lower Canyon into one jam-packed day with a delicious BBQ lunch in the middle!
Not only can you experience the best Whitewater Rafting that Denver has to offer, but you can package your rafting trip with our Cliffside Zipline trip or our Mount Evans Via Ferrata. Make the most of your adventure in the mountains and save time and money!
Best time to raft: May – September
Ages: 6 years old and up
Duration: 1/3 day, 1/2 day, and full day
Other Activities: Zipline, Via Ferrata
