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Colorado River Rafting

Colorado Rafting Company offers Half Day, Full Day, and Overnight whitewater rafting trips on the Upper Colorado River.

Rafting on the Colorado River is one of the most spectacular ways to experience the Rocky Mountains. Our Colorado River rafting trips are family friendly and inviting to people of all ages. We offer half day, full day, and overnight experiences as well as the option to raft, kayak, or stand up paddleboard!

We run trips on the Colorado River daily from Early-May to September! Book an adventure online or CALL TODAY to reserve your Colorado River rafting adventure.

970-893-8007

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CRC Boathouse @ Rancho del Rio

Family Whitewater Rafting Trips

Here at Colorado Rafting Company we run and base all of our Colorado River Rafting trips out of the famous Rancho del Rio riverside community along the Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway. This small community houses a boat ramp, small general store, campsites, and more including the Colorado Rafting Company boathouse. Being riverside allows us to access the river quickly to make sure you get what your looking for, more river time! We run guided tours on rafts, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, and also rent boats to the public.

Located only 4 miles from CO-131 at State Bridge which is easily accessible From I-70 at Wolcott (Exit #157), Rancho Del Rio is only a 40 minute drive from Vail and about 1 hour from Summit County, Steamboat Springs and Winter Park.

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Colorado River Half Day

Best Colorado Rafting Company
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Time: 9:00 am & 1:00 pm

Location: Upper Colorado River

Meeting Location: Colorado Rafting Company Boathouse

4199 Trough Rd, Bond, CO 80423

Duration: Half day (~ 3-3.5 hours )

Class: I-III (Family Float)

Season: May – September

Price: $85 per person

*Add Kayak or SUP. See info below

Minimum Age: 5 years old and 50lb. May vary with water flows*

Colorado River Full Day

Beginner Rafting Trips in Colorado
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Time: 9:00 am

Location: Upper Colorado River

Meeting Location: Colorado Rafting Company Boathouse

4199 Trough Rd, Bond, CO 80423

Duration: Full Day (8 hours)

Class: I-III (Family Float)

Season: May – September

Price: $155 Adult | $150 Child (12 and under) *6 person minimum to run the trip. Contact us with smaller groups

*Add Kayak or SUP. See info below

Minimum Age: 5 years old and 50lb. May vary with water flows

Colorado River Overnight Trip

Overnight Rafting
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Time: 8:30 am

Location: Upper Colorado River

Meeting Location: Colorado Rafting Company Boathouse

4199 Trough Rd, Bond, CO 80423

Duration: 2 Days with overnight

Class: I-III (Family Float)

Season: May – September

Price: $400 per person and a 8 Person Minimum *Contact us with smaller groups

*Add Kayak or SUP. See info below

Minimum Age: 5 years old and 50lb. May vary with water flows

  • Step 1

    Arrive at our boathouse at Rancho Del Rio

    Colorado Rafting Company Boathouse @ Rancho del Rio

    4199 Trough Rd, Bond, CO 80423

    Please arrive on-time at your designated trip start time. No need to arrive early. *On-site camping options also available, contact us for more info!

  • Step 2

    Check In

    Check in, Get Outfitted, Get Excited!

    Get geared up and then load up into our company vehicles for a short and scenic drive the river the put-in

  • Step 3

    River Time!

    Enjoy an amazing trip on the Colorado River with beautiful views, wildlife, good people, and top-notch professional and certified guides!

  • Step 4

    Take Out

    Off the River & Load Up

    Once you reach the take-out point your guides will load up the rafts and then you will have about a short drive back to the boathouse where you can view photos from your trip and check out memorabilia. *On-site camping options are also available!

Inflatable Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Board

Full Day guided Kayak trip

Want something more adventurous? Or are you looking for a more personal experience with the river? The Upper Colorado River is one of the best river sections in the State to experience an inflatable kayak or paddle board. There are several stretches of slow moving water on our Colorado River trips that are perfect to play around on before hitting the canyon for a taste of some whitewater.

We offer inflatable kayaks and stand up paddle boards alongside guided river trips or as day rentals. First timer? No problem! Our guides will help you get comfortable on your river craft or check out our Learn to SUP courses!

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Inflatable Kayak Half Day Trip

Inflatable Kayak Tours in Colorado
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Time: 9:00 am & 1:00 pm

Location: Upper Colorado River

Meeting Location: Colorado Rafting Company Boathouse

4199 Trough Rd, Bond, CO 80423

Duration: Half day (~ 3.5 hours )

Class: I-III (Family Float)

Season: May – September

Price: $99 person

Minimum Age: 12 years old. May vary with water flows*

Inflatable Kayak Full Day Trip

guided kayaking adventure
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Time: 9:00 am

Location: Upper Colorado River

Meeting Location: Colorado Rafting Company Boathouse

4199 Trough Rd, Bond, CO 80423

Duration: Full Day (8 hours)

Class: I-III (Family Float)

Season: May – September

Price: $165 person

Minimum Age: 12 years old. May vary with water flows

Guided River SUP Half Day

Stand up Paddleboarding
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Time: 9:00 am & 1:00 pm

Location: Upper Colorado River

Meeting Location: Colorado Rafting Company Boathouse

4199 Trough Rd, Bond, CO 80423

Duration: Half Day (~3.5 hours)

Class: I-III

Season: May – September

Price: $99 person

Minimum Age: 12 years old. May vary with water flows

Upper Colorado River Rafting

overnight raft

This section of the Colorado River offers scenic views including meadows, valleys, rolling ranch lands and steep canyon walls and wildlife including Bald Eagles, Deer, Beavers, and, Big Horn Sheep, there is always something to keep your eyes on. Read through our Day on The Upper Colorado article to review what to expect on this amazing section of water. 

Upper Colorado River Rafting provides mild Class I-II rapids and occasional Class III rapids at higher water flow. This stretch of river includes a river-side lunch and natural hot springs at certain water flows. Feel free to bring the entire family on this journey, as there is sure to be something for everyone. Check out our 5 reasons to go rafting on the Colorado River article for more inspiration to get out on the water.

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Family Friendly Rafting

Family Rafting on the Colorado River

The Colorado River is our favorite family friendly rafting trip. Beginning as snowmelt high in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Colorado Rockies give birth to the legendary Colorado River. Downstream of the national park, the river character begins to intensify through the famed and Class 5 “Gore Canyon”, and then below the river develops a more gentle nature.

This is where our Colorado River Rafting experiences begin, with a mild introduction to white water rafting for families with small children, senior citizens, or folks looking for a lazy Colorado vacation. Colorado rafting trips can be perfect for many groups looking for a scenic raft float.

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Top-Notch River Guides

River Guides

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 Colorado River rafting guides are highly trained, experienced, and certified by the State. That means you can relax and enjoy the scenery, company, food, and fun on your Colorado River rafting trip.

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Colorado River Rafting Packages

Rafting Adventure Packages

Whitewater rafting is one of Colorado’s most staple summer activities but it doesn’t just stop there. Join Colorado Rafting Company for A Colorado Experience (ACE) and package your rafting experience with other amazing Colorado adventures.

Whether it’s hiking through the beautiful and rugged Rocky Mountain hiking trails, or tackling one of our local rock climbing crags, or even putting the pedals to dirt on one of the many amazing mountain biking trails. From Full Day to Multi Day Packages, Colorado Rafting Company is your one stop shop for Colorado Adventure in the Summit County area.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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 5 years old for the Colorado River trips. During times of high water, we typically bump the age limit to 7 years old. For all stand up paddleboard and inflatable kayaks the age limit is 12 years old.

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 (may be overkill for the Upper Colorado River trips unless on a kayak or paddle board). 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. We also recommend a sun hat or ball cap for additional sun protection. 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 kayak or paddle boarding 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/health history waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. In addition to this form, the health history questionnaire must be filled out for each participant. 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 and hats that protect from the sun, and a camera to document the amazing memories. 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.

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