Clear Creek Rafting

Here at Colorado Rafting Company we run and base all of our Clear Creek Rafting trips out of the historic river corridor of Idaho Springs. Where the gold rush began, Idaho Springs which is located just 30 minutes outside of Denver was actually the first city in all of Colorado, founded in 1859. This quaint town is nestled in the foothills of some of Colorado’s best mountains and holds a unique place in the state’s history. As the place where the Colorado Gold Rush started, this little town holds a lot of secrets, including one of the best river rafting areas in the State! Created through direct snow-melt, Clear Creek offers some amazing, pristine, and whitewater rapid filled rafting for varying ability levels. From more family friendly beginner rafting to hair raising advanced trips, we offer something for everybody.

Clear Creek is one of the best whitewater rafting rivers in Colorado, and for a great reason. Conveniently located about 30 minutes West of Denver, Clear Creek has a rafting trip option for varying ability and experience levels.

Our beginner trips are perfect for first time rafters or families alike that are looking for a great introduction to whitewater rafting. This trip covers roughly 6 miles of river and offers amazing whitewater rapids, beautiful scenery and some peaceful floating. You’ll have a blast splashing through Class II-III rapids where we’ll help you develop your paddling skills. Relax as you meander through the historic mining town of Idaho Springs past the Argo Gold Mine and Charlie Taylor waterwheel. Keep an eye out for wildlife in the canyons surrounding you as you enjoy your Colorado adventure. This is a fabulous trip for first timers, families and large groups with varying ability levels.

For those who are looking to step it up a notch from the Beginner rafting trip, there’s the Intermediate option. Our Intermediate raft trip is a great choice for experienced paddlers or aggressive first timers craving the thrill and challenge of whitewater. With a steady dose of fun and challenging rapids, this trip requires active paddling and participation as we navigate the river as a team. First time paddlers and experienced paddlers alike are welcome, but active paddling is required. Being in good physical condition and having the ability to swim are recommended. Clear Creek is steep and narrow and this section passes through over a dozen rapids as the river drops about 75 feet per mile. Listen to your guide, hold onto your paddle and get ready to get wet! This exciting stretch of the river is Clear Creek’s most popular trip with continuous class III and IV rapids. Navigate rapids with such names as Nomad, Fall River, Phoenix, Deliverance and the class IV climax, Outer Limits Rapid.

If you are looking to maximize your adrenaline and thrills then check out our Clear Creek Advanced rafting trips. Dropping over 100ft a mile for over 5 miles, the Advanced raft trip is for experienced paddlers only. With very little warm up, you will soon start the continuous class IV-V rapids of Clear Creek Canyon. Brace yourself, take a breath and paddle hard as you drop into rapids such as Beaver Falls, Tricky Dicky, Guide Ejector, Double Knife, Hells Corner, the Terminator holes, and Corkscrew. This trip is only run at optimal water levels, and we reserve the right to refuse these trips to anyone at our discretion. This is the most extreme, steep and technical stretch of Clear Creek that requires the ability to swim, strong physical conditioning and prior experience. For those up to the challenge, you will not be disappointed!

Clear Creek was originally named Cannonball Creek as early as 1820, called so by the French hunters, after the river rocks in its bed. In the 1830s it became known as Vasquez Fork, also Vasquez River, after the fur trader Louis Vasquez, who had his fort at the mouth of the river and trapped along it. It gained its present name from the gold rushers in 1859 In the gold rush of 1859, the Creek provided the pathway into the mountains for those prospecting for gold. Fast forward to 1998 when Golden opened the Clear Creek Whitewater Park. Golden had purchased new water rights to ensure that they could keep enough water rushing through Golden to support a kayak park. For the first 140 years of Colorado’s water law, the only “valid” uses of water were agriculture, industry, and domestic. The case went to the State Supreme Court, which eventually decided that recreation was a valid use for water rights in Colorado.

Our staff are here to help you from beginning to end. Whether you are working with our reservations specialists to plan and prepare for your adventure, or traveling down the river with our experienced and friendly guides, you can rest assured that Colorado Rafting Company is looking out for you.

We pride ourselves in maintaining a smaller operation where we can provide truly intimate Colorado adventures. Our guides are highly trained, experienced, and certified by the State. That means you be rest assured that you are in good hands while enjoying your amazing whitewater rafting trip.