Rafting on Clear Creek is one of the most exciting ways to experience Summer in the Rocky Mountains. Our Clear Creek rafting trips offer options for the whole family and is inviting to people of varying abilities. We offer Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced rafting experiences located just 30 minutes from Denver!
At Colorado Rafting Company, we run all our Clear Creek rafting trips from the historic river corridor of Idaho Springs, just 30 minutes from Denver. Known as the birthplace of the Colorado Gold Rush, this charming town, founded in 1859, is steeped in history and nestled in the foothills of Colorado’s majestic mountains. Fueled by snowmelt, Clear Creek boasts thrilling whitewater rapids perfect for all skill levels—from family-friendly beginner trips to adrenaline-pumping advanced adventures—offering some of the best rafting in the state!
If you’re a first-time rafter or a family seeking an exciting introduction to whitewater, our Clear Creek Beginner trip is the ideal adventure. An exciting trip through the historic mining town of Idaho Springs with several exciting class 2-3 rapids to enjoy!
Price: Starting at $69 per person
Location: CRC Boathouse @ Clear Creek
Duration: 1/3 Day | ~2-3 Hours
Start Time: 9:00am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm
Class: II-III
Minimum Age: 6 years old (May vary with water flows)
Spanning approximately 6 miles, this trip combines thrilling rapids, stunning scenery, and tranquil stretches of floating. Splash through Class II-III rapids while honing your paddling skills with our expert guidance. Enjoy a relaxing float through the historic mining town of Idaho Springs, passing the Argo Gold Mine and Charlie Taylor waterwheel. As you experience your Colorado adventure, keep an eye out for wildlife in the surrounding canyons. This trip is excellent for beginners, families, and large groups with diverse experience levels.
Looking for even more adrenaline? Our Intermediate trip is ideal for experienced paddlers and adventurous first-timers craving a whitewater thrill. Offering class 3-4 rapids this trip offers an exhilarating ride!
Price: Starting at $84 per person
Location: CRC Boathouse @ Clear Creek
Duration: 1/2 Day | ~2-3 Hours
Start Times: 8:30 am, 12:30 pm, 4:00 pm
Class: III-IV
Minimum Age: 12 years old (May vary with water flows)
This exciting Clear Creek run offers a steady dose of challenging Class III-IV rapids, including favorites like Nomad, Fall River, Phoenix, Deliverance, and the climactic Outer Limits.
Active paddling and teamwork are essential as we navigate this steep and narrow section, dropping about 75 feet per mile. While all are welcome, good physical condition and swimming ability are recommended. Get ready to get wet!
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.
Price: Starting at $109 per person
Location: CRC Boathouse @ Clear Creek
Duration: 1/2 Day | ~2-3 Hours
Class: IV+ (V- at higher flows)
Start Times: 9:00 am
Minimum Age: 16 years old + previous rafting experience (May vary with water flows)
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 run only 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!
This depends on what you’re interested in. If big, exciting water is what your group is looking for, then high-water season is the best time. Mid-June to early July is traditionally the high-water season. When rivers run at their peak, it can make for a big ride. Keep in mind some sections may close due to high water conditions. Most people enjoy a normal run off-season, which is mid-May to late-August. Water levels and weather are very unpredictable, so book a date that best suits the group and be prepared for the unexpected. There really is no bad time to go white water rafting in Colorado.
Yes. We have an age limit of 6 years old for Beginner trips, 12 years old for Intermediate trips, and 16 years old for Advanced Trips. These age limits may also vary with water flows.
Nope! Except for advanced and expert trips, you can go white water rafting even if you can’t swim. Each person will be fitted with a Type-V Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (life jacket) to be worn while on the river at all times. This life jacket is designed to float the wearer on his/her back with his/her head out of the water. Guests are instructed on the proper use of this life jacket in a safety orientation talk before departure. It does help to have some knowledge of swimming, especially in some of the more aggressive sections.
Our guides make a base wage similar to a bartender or wait person. General guidelines for tipping would be the same as for a bartender or a waitperson (15-20%). If you do believe in tipping, and the guide has proven to do a great job, it is a nice way to express your appreciation but only if you feel you had a safe, fun, and informative experience. If you did not have a pleasurable and adequate experience, we would appreciate it if you would please bring it to the attention of our management. Feedback and letters from our guests are greatly appreciated and helps us maintain the highest standard of customer service and appreciation.
Avoid cotton clothing, as it tends to get wet and stay wet – not to mention taking valuable warmth from your body’s surface. For rafting, bathing suits and shorts or long sleeve/leg clothing are recommended with comfortable, secure footwear ie NO FLIP FLOPS. While not required, we do provide wetsuits free of charge. Splash jackets and booties are available for an additional small rental fee. This equipment isn’t mandatory but it is designed to keep you warm. Towels are best kept in your vehicles at the office and don’t do you much good on the river because there is no way to keep them dry. For rafting and other activities your best bet would be materials such as wool, polypro, fleece, micro fleece, polyester, waterproof jackets, and any other outdoor material that dries fast. There is limited space on the rafts, so you should limit what you bring to what you can wear. Personal flotation devices (PFDs) are included with all rafting adventures and helmets on all Clear Creek and Blue River trips. If you have any questions please give us a call and we can give you information so that you know what to expect and can plan accordingly.
All our guides go through extensive training, basic first aid, CPR, and all river guides are certified by the state of Colorado. Rafting is an adventure sport and involves a degree of risk on the part of the participant. Although we take precautions to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable trip, we cannot be responsible for lost or damaged articles and/or personal injury. It is important for the group to choose a trip within their entire group’s limits. Colorado Rafting Company/Colorado Adventure Guides is committed to the safety of our guests. Due to the inherently dangerous nature of some outdoor recreation activities in the backcountry, all participants are required to acknowledge these risks by reading and signing a liability waiver prior to trip departure. All participants under the age of 18 must have a liability waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. All information submitted is completely confidential; it is for the guide’s use and would only be shared in the event of an emergency with medical and/or rescue personnel directly caring for the guest. It is Colorado Adventure Guides’ policy that all Emergency Contacts be a person over the age of 18 and not participating in the same guided trip or course.
For river trips you will want to bring a few towels to leave in your car; you’ll be happy to have something to dry off with after your adventure. Bring a change of dry clothes to leave in your car. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, sunglass straps, cold water layering. Bring water for pre-rafting and post-rafting hydration.. Remember, you’re in the Colorado Rockies, and it’s important to stay hydrated! We also suggest bringing cash to tip your guide. Please see our equipment lists for other activity specific gear.
The weather in the Colorado Rocky Mountains is very unpredictable and varies from mile to mile and minute to minute. Colorado averages over 300 days of sunshine a year. The odds are, the weather will be good. We run our outdoor activities in all weather conditions, rain or shine, and have gear available to help keep you comfortable, even in the worst conditions. Wetsuits, neoprene booties, and splash tops can really make a big difference and make your trip a pleasurable one. Don’t forget, you’re going to get wet rafting, even on the sunniest of days. Weather is not a cause for cancellation.
