Upper Clear Creek Half Day Rafting Trip

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.

This trip from our Idaho Springs outpost offers continuous, steep, technical sections just 30 minutes from Denver and is an exciting experience for those seeking a high level adventure. With heart-pounding whitewater, this trip represents some of the best rafting on the Clear Creek and is appropriate for physically fit first-timers to more advanced rafters.

Minimum age: 15

Trip Highlights

What to Expect

• Half-day trip through 4 miles of continuous whitewater
• Class IV rapids, including Nomad, Phoenix Holes, and Outer Limits
• Opportunities for wildlife spotting, including big horn sheep, river otters, deer, and more
• High-adrenaline rafting just 30 minutes from Denver
• Experienced raft guides

Trip Itinerary

• Check in, get ready for your adventure, and meet your guide at our Idaho Springs outpost
• Ride to the water with your guide and group
• Listen as your guide explains basic paddling technique
• Spend the morning or afternoon on the water, navigating one of the most exciting sections of the Clear Creek
• Shuttle back to our Idaho Springs outpost
• View photos from your rafting trip

Who will love this trip?

• Groups looking for an exciting, higher adrenaline rafting experience
• Families with older kids ages 15 +
• Anyone hoping for an excitement filled outdoor adventure within a half hour of Denver
• Physically fit beginner rafters looking for a challenge or more experienced rafters hoping for more advanced whitewater

Related Packages

1. 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 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.

2. Upper Clear Creek 1/2 Day + Via Ferrata

   Spend your day venturing through the mountains on with this thrilling combo of activities! You'll have the opportunity to challenge yourself on the water and land, as you rush class IV rapids on the Upper Clear Creek and climb high into the cliffside on our Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata course.  

3. Upper Clear Creek Rafting + Zipline

     Package a thrilling zipline tour with the Upper Clear Creek half-day rafting trip for an adventure of a lifetime! This full-day experience combines our class IV rafting trip on the Clear Creek with our exciting and scenic cliffside zipline course.    

4. 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 through nonstop whitewater on the Numbers Rafting section of the Arkansas River.

5. 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.

Not sure yet? Here are some other activities

1. 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 and Numbers sections of this iconic river, rushing through class III-V rapids under towering peaks and through Colorado's most natural areas.

2. 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 then rush the rapids on our Brown's Canyon whitewater adventure.

3. 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 the Arkansas River Valley, using iron rungs, bars, and other features to ascend. Your stomach will drop on our hanging bridge and freefall flight line!

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. Walk & Wade Fly Fishing Trip

   Explore the incredible waters of the Upper Colorado River with a knowledgeable fishing guide. It doesn't matter if it's your first-time fishing or you're a seasoned angler, this trip is fit for all levels of experience.    

7. Polaris RZR 2 Hour Rental+ Scenic Float Package

   Looking to kick up a little dirt and then wash it off? Experience the best of Colorado's outdoors on our full-day UTV Rental and Scenic Float adventure package!  

8. 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>

9. Starlight & Full Moon Zipline

   Join us for one of the most exciting and popular Colorado mountain summer adventures - ziplining! The starlight zipline adventure allows you to experience AVA's same cliffside zipline course after dark, with the moonlight zipline taking place under a full moon.

10. Upper Colorado 4 Hour Fly Fishing

    Join AVA for a scenic fly-fishing excursion on the Upper Colorado River. Our 4- hour float trips are perfect for both novice and experienced anglers and present an opportunity to both fish and relax!

11. Rock Climb Half Day

    Take in the Rocky Mountain scenery while our guides cover the basics of belaying, rappelling, and setting anchors. Whether you’re looking to learn more about rock climbing or trying it for the first time this is a perfect trip for you!