Colorado Rivers & Rafting Conditions
There are many rivers in Colorado to explore, from scenic float trips to the exhilaration of threading a stretch of rapids. Click on the small map to the right to see a close-up map of some of Colorado's most popular rivers.
The River Rafting Trips Table below is just a sample of the options Colorado has to offer. If you are unfamiliar with a stretch of river, we recommend you use experienced river guides and outfitters, who can provide you with a safe and enjoyable trip. River conditions change with the season and weather, causing the class of rapids along a stretch of river to change dramatically.
You can use the links below to view current Colorado River Conditions (data from United States Geological Survey's website) for various points along Colorado's major rivers. You can also check with the local BLM or forest ranger district.
Sample Colorado Rafting Trips
Click underlined trips to view current river conditions according to USGS.
| Name | Difficulty | Comments |
| Arkansas River - Pine Creek | Class V | Starts just downriver from historic Leadville, Colorado at the town of Granite. Demands good physical condition and previous paddling experience. Expert only. Drops 200 ft/mi at Pine Creek. |
| Arkansas River - Numbers | Class III-V | From the foot of Colorado's highest fourteener's, this stretch runs from below Granite to beautiful Buena Vista and features the famous Rapids Numbers 1 - 6. For experienced rafters only. Drops 71 ft/mi to 32 ft/mi. at the Narrows. |
| Arkansas River - Browns Canyon | Class III-IV | Most popular river rafting run in Colorado. The scenic fourteen-thousand foot high Collegiate Peaks parallel this river canyon between Buena Vista and Salida. Drops 31 ft./mi. |
| Arkansas River - Royal Gorge | Class III-V minus | Spanned by the US's highest suspension bridge, the gorge offers great scenery and extreme whitewater. Drops 46 ft/mi. |
| Blue River | Class II-III | Surrounded by alpine scenery. Near Summit County's many resorts. |
| Colorado River - Little Gore Canyon | Class II | Mild whitewater, mountain scenery and many historic sites make this stretch a yearly favorite. |
| Colorado River - Glenwood Canyon | Class II-III | After taming rapids with names like Upper Superstition and Tombstone relax in Glenwood Springs mineral hot springs. |
| Dolores River - Slickrock Canyon | Class II-III | Desert canyon through high rock walls, rich with historic Indian sites. |
| Dolores River - Hanging Flume Canyon | Class II-III | The Dolores grows in volume after swallowing the San Miguel River and takes you into Hanging Flume Canyon. Historic mining sites dot the area. |
| Gunnison River - Black Canyon | Class II-III | Narrow canyon walls provide exciting whitewater, excellent fishing, and awesome views. A remote, out-of-the-way, wilderness canyon. |
| Yampa River | Class II-III | Excellent wilderness rafting, canoeing and kayaking area. Near Dinosaur National Monument. |
Some land bordering the trips above is privately owned. Be sure to obtain permission before crossing private property.
