Exciting & Active

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.

 

The Highlights Of Your Trip

If you’re looking for an adventure for a family trip, work event, school event, or scouting trip the Clear Creek Gold Rush and cliffside zipline package is the perfect introduction to beginner whitewater rafting and aerial adventure. Navigate class III rapids, and fly high on our zipline course above the Chicago Creek and the town of Idaho Springs.

Minimum age: 6, minimum weight: 50 lbs., maximum weight: 250 lbs.

Book this trip

1

How much

Pricing

From $166

for adults 13+

From $163

for ages 6-12

2

What's included

Activities

  • Rafting
  • Ziplining
3

Trip Length

Duration

Full Day, no lunch included

4

How Hard

Difficulty

Exciting & Active
5

Who can go

Minimum Age

6 years old & Up

What an AVA Gold Rush RAFTING + ZIPLINE looks like

Trip Highlights

A. What to Expect

  • A full day of fun
  • Cliffside zipline tour with 6 ziplines
  • Unique aerial elements including hanging bridge, log cross, and dual race line
  • Family-friendly rafting through Idaho Springs’s historic mining valley
  • 7 miles through mellower class III rapids
  • Stunning scenery on both trips
  • Experienced raft and zipline guides

B. Trip Itinerary*

  • Meet your guide and kick off your adventure-filled day at our Idaho Springs outpost
  • Get your zipline gear, and take a short ride and 10 minute hike to the start of your adventure
  • Fly through the trees on our 6-line zipline course
  • Enjoy stunning views and a unique Colorado adventure on our zipline course built directly into the cliffside
  • Return to the outpost, and break for lunch – please pack a lunch or head into town for a bite to eat
  • Paddle the Clear Creek on this family-friendly rafting adventure
  • Experience class III rapids and a perfect introduction to splashy whitewater
  • Cover 7 miles through Idaho Springs’s historic mining valley
  • Return to the outpost and view photos from your trip

Express Option Available:
Our express trip option will send you directly into the next adventure-all gas, no breaks. This option is perfect for groups on a tighter schedule and for those who don’t need an hour between activities to refuel. Simply choose the express option when booking online.

*For some trips, the order of adventures may be switched. Please check your individual booking for exact details.

C. Who will love this trip?

  • Families looking for an full-day of activity fun for all ages
  • Groups hoping for a full day of adventure close to Denver
  • Families with kids 6 and older

What to expect

On Your Whitewater Rafting + Zipline Adventure

group heading into the rapids, man looking surprised and woman smiling

A full day of excitement

Enjoy the best of Clear Creek’s Gold Rush rafting and the thrill of zip lining in one action-packed day! You begin your day flying from ridge to ridge over a forest of Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pines. After descending down the mountain you will finish with an exciting line running directly into the AVA backyard to begin your second half of the day’s adventure.

Our Gold Rush rafting trip offers a family-friendly adventure suitable for all ages. Rush the rapids on this class III trip, navigating the best of Clear Creek’s thrilling whitewater. It’s an exhilarating opportunity for everyone in your group to enjoy the excitement of rafting while surrounded by the stunning scenery of Colorado’s historic mining valley.

two girls ziplining through the trees in Colorado

Unparalleled Scenery

As you fly through the trees on your zipline adventure, you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the majestic Rocky Mountains, with the iconic Colorado Rockies dominating the horizon. Feast your eyes on sweeping vistas of Chicago Creek winding its way through the valley and the lush forests blanketing the mountainside.

During your Clear Creek rafting adventure, you’ll be mesmerized by the stunning scenery of the craggy Colorado landscape. As your raft glides along the rushing waters, you’ll pass by historic Idaho Springs, the very site where Colorado’s first gold discovery sparked the gold rush era.

Crew carrying a raft toward the river.

Included Gear & Packing List

All of your gear will be provided for your rafting and zipline excursions. This includes:

  • PFD
  • Wetsuit
  • Splash jacket
  • Helmet
  • Zipline harness
  • Gloves

WHAT TO BRING

  • Shoes that will stay securely on your feet… no flip flops or crocs! (Rafting)
  • Fleece and/or quick dry clothing
  • Waterproof sunscreen & sunglasses
  • Closed toed-shoes (zipline)
  • Pants or longer shorts that will fit in your zipline harness
  • Lunch (or grab lunch in town)
  • Cash to tip your raft & zip guides!
AVA sign in Colorado.

Continue the Adventure

Whether you’re dropping by our Idaho Springs outpost for a quick day trip from Denver or planning an extended stay, the area offers a plethora of activities to enhance your adventure.

  • Treat yourself to a delicious meal or refreshing drink at one of the area’s restaurants or breweries. Be sure to check out local favorites like Beau Jo’s Pizza or Tommyknocker Brewery for a taste of authentic Colorado cuisine and craft brews.
  • Delve deeper into the region’s fascinating mining history with a tour at Argo Mill and Tunnel or Phoenix Gold Mine.
  • Continue your outdoor exploration by venturing to nearby attractions such as St. Mary’s Glacier, Mount Blue Sky, or one of the many scenic hiking trails that wind through the breathtaking landscape.
  • For a change of pace, take a short 25-minute drive to Denver and immerse yourself in the vibrant attractions of Colorado’s largest city.

Trip Location

Group of people on a rustic bridge.

Idaho Springs

431 Chicago Creek Road
Idaho Springs, CO 80452

Our Idaho Springs outpost offers beginner to advanced levels of whitewater rafting on Clear Creek, soar among the treetops on our Cliffside Zipline, or try our  Via Ferrata course for an introduction to mountaineering.  Enjoy an afternoon in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and catch some incredible sights of historic Idaho Springs- the location of Colorado’s first gold discovery!

Our Idaho Springs outpost is conveniently located near Denver, just 30 minutes west of downtown on I-70, and less than an hour from Summit County.

FAQs

Please either pack a lunch or grab food in town between adventures.

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three rafts on the upper colorado river with rocky cliffs on either side.

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