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Rafters in helmets and life jackets paddling through whitewater rapids on Clear Creek, Colorado

Whitewater Rafting near Denver: Clear Creek vs. the Arkansas River

Colorado whitewater rafting near Denver mostly means one of two rivers. Clear Creek is about 30 minutes west of the city. The Arkansas River is 2 to 2.5 hours southwest and runs through Browns Canyon and the Royal Gorge. Below, the two are compared by difficulty and by who they suit.

Clear Creek half-day
From about $75
Arkansas half-day
About $105-$149
Season
Roughly May to early September
Trip length
2.5-4 hours

Status update, October 31, 2026.

  • Rafting season is over for 2026. Outfitters list Clear Creek and the Arkansas River (Browns Canyon and the Numbers) as closed for the season (AVA Rafting, Downstream Adventures). Trips usually start again in May, and the high-water weeks of late May and June book up first, so it's worth reserving spring 2027 dates once outfitters open their calendars. The tours below are what to book then.

See top pick for Upper Clear Creek Half-Day Whitewater Rafting from Idaho Springs on Viator Compare all 11 tours

Updated October 31, 2026 · We may earn a commission

Top picks

  • Class III-IV, 8 miles

    Upper Clear Creek Half-Day Whitewater Rafting from Idaho Springs

    • Idaho Springs
    • 3 hours
    • Viator

    From $74.92 pp

    Check availability
  • Families, first-timers

    Clear Creek Whitewater Raft near Denver: Splashy Fun for Families

    • Dumont (near Idaho Springs)
    • 2.5 hours
    • Viator

    From $86.90 pp

    Check availability
  • Mellower Class II-III

    Clear Creek Gold Rush Whitewater Rafting from Idaho Springs

    • Idaho Springs
    • 3 hours
    • Viator

    From See price

    Check availability

Prices checked on the dates shown in the comparison below; the booking site has the live price. We may earn a commission.

Compare tours

Tours compared (prices checked October 11, 2026; “pp” = per person)
TourStartsLengthFromBest forBook
Upper Clear Creek Half-Day Whitewater Rafting from Idaho SpringsOperator: AVA Rafting and ZiplineViatorWhitewater on Clear Creek at Idaho Springs, Colorado Idaho Springs 3 hours $74.92 pp Class III-IV, 8 miles Check availability for Upper Clear Creek Half-Day Whitewater Rafting from Idaho Springs on Viator
Clear Creek Whitewater Raft near Denver: Splashy Fun for FamiliesOperator: Colorado Rafting CompanyViatorClose-up of a Clear Creek rapid at Idaho Springs, Colorado Dumont (near Idaho Springs) 2.5 hours $86.90 pp Families, first-timers Check availability for Clear Creek Whitewater Raft near Denver: Splashy Fun for Families on Viator
Clear Creek Gold Rush Whitewater Rafting from Idaho SpringsOperator: AVA Rafting and ZiplineViatorWhitewater on Clear Creek at Idaho Springs, Colorado Idaho Springs 3 hours See price Mellower Class II-III Check availability for Clear Creek Gold Rush Whitewater Rafting from Idaho Springs on Viator
Intermediate Clear Creek Blast! Class III-IV RapidsOperator: Liquid DescentViatorClose-up of a Clear Creek rapid at Idaho Springs, Colorado Idaho Springs 2.5 hours See price More action, still beginner-friendly per listing Check availability for Intermediate Clear Creek Blast! Class III-IV Rapids on Viator
Clear Creek: Family-friendly Whitewater Rafting Splashy funOperator: Colorado Rafting CompanyGetYourGuideWhitewater on Clear Creek at Idaho Springs, Colorado Dumont 2.5 hours $85 pp Class II-III, families Check availability for Clear Creek: Family-friendly Whitewater Rafting Splashy fun on GetYourGuide
Denver: Clear Creek Intermediate Whitewater RaftingOperator: Colorado Rafting CompanyGetYourGuideClose-up of a Clear Creek rapid at Idaho Springs, Colorado Dumont 3 hours $95 pp Continuous Class III-IV Check availability for Denver: Clear Creek Intermediate Whitewater Rafting on GetYourGuide
Browns Canyon Whitewater Rafting Half-Day TripOperator: Browns Canyon RaftingViatorRafters paddling the Arkansas River in Browns Canyon National Monument, Colorado Buena Vista 3 hours See price Arkansas River classic, Class II-III Check availability for Browns Canyon Whitewater Rafting Half-Day Trip on Viator
Browns Canyon Rafting AdventureOperator: Monumental ExpeditionsViatorThe Arkansas River running between granite boulders in Browns Canyon National Monument Nathrop (near Buena Vista) 3 hours $105 pp Families (min. age 7 per listing) Check availability for Browns Canyon Rafting Adventure on Viator
Buena Vista: Half-Day Browns Canyon Class III Rafting TripOperator: AVA Rafting & ZiplineGetYourGuideRafters paddling the Arkansas River in Browns Canyon National Monument, Colorado Buena Vista 4 hours $109.92 pp 10 miles through the national monument Check availability for Buena Vista: Half-Day Browns Canyon Class III Rafting Trip on GetYourGuide
Cañon City: 2 hour Epic Royal Gorge Adventurous Rafting TourOperator: Arkansas River ToursGetYourGuideThe Arkansas River at the bottom of the Royal Gorge, seen from the Royal Gorge Bridge Cañon City 3.5 hours $149 pp Experienced/adventurous: Class III-V under the Royal Gorge Bridge Check availability for Cañon City: 2 hour Epic Royal Gorge Adventurous Rafting Tour on GetYourGuide
Colorado Springs Area: 2-Hour Class 2-3 Rafting for NovicesOperator: Arkansas River ToursGetYourGuideA raft of paddlers on the upper Arkansas River in Colorado (Mountain Sheep Canyon) Cañon City area 3.5 hours $149 pp Novices staying near Colorado Springs Check availability for Colorado Springs Area: 2-Hour Class 2-3 Rafting for Novices on GetYourGuide

Tour thumbnails show the river each trip runs, not the operator's own trip. Photos via Wikimedia Commons, cropped and resized: Clear Creek (Idaho Springs) 1 by Nicole Byrd / James St. John, CC BY 2.0; Clear Creek (Idaho Springs) 3 by Nicole Byrd / James St. John, CC BY 2.0; Rafting in Browns Canyon NM by U.S. Department of the Interior, CC BY-SA 2.0; Browns Canyon National Monument by Bureau of Land Management, CC BY 2.0; Arkansas River from Royal Gorge Bridge by Kari Sullivan, CC BY 2.0; Arkansas River (Mt Sheep Canyon) by Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Tours are ordered by who they suit, and commission plays no part in that. We haven't taken every tour, so details come from each operator's listing. “See price” means the listing showed only a non-USD price when we checked. The booking site shows live prices and availability.

Clear Creek or the Arkansas?

Clear CreekArkansas River
Distance from DenverAbout 30-40 minutes (Idaho Springs / Dumont, off I-70)About 2-2.5 hours (Buena Vista, Cañon City)
RapidsClass II-III (lower/family) to III-IV (upper)Class II-III (Browns Canyon, Bighorn Sheep Canyon) to III-V (Royal Gorge)
Best forHalf-day trips close to DenverCanyon scenery; families in Browns Canyon, experienced rafters in the Royal Gorge
Half-day priceAbout $75-$99About $105-$149

Rapid classes in plain English

  • Class II: splashy waves, easy for kids and first-timers.
  • Class III: bigger waves and maneuvering. Fine for most fit beginners with a guide.
  • Class IV: powerful, continuous rapids. Swimming is a real possibility, so you should be a confident swimmer in good shape.
  • Class V: expert-level. The Royal Gorge has some Class V sections, so choose it only if you're fit and want the hardest water.

Rapid difficulty changes with water levels. Operators can move sections or raise minimum ages when flows are high.

When to go

Commercial rafting runs from about May through Labor Day; one Browns Canyon outfitter gives exactly those dates for its half-day trip. Snowmelt makes the water biggest and coldest in late May and June. By July and August it's warmer and calmer, which suits young kids. Summer weekends fill up, so book those ahead.

Age and weight limits

Family trips commonly start at about age 6-7 with a 50-lb minimum; Browns Canyon listings, for example, show 6+/50 lbs and 7+/50 lbs. Class IV trips usually take only older teens and adults. Limits change with the section and the flow, so check the listing.

What to bring

  • Quick-dry clothes or a swimsuit (no cotton), sandals or shoes that strap on, sunscreen and a change of clothes.
  • Wetsuits, splash jackets and booties are often available to rent at the outpost for a small fee. You'll want them in May and June, when the water is coldest.
  • Most operators meet at their river outpost, so you'll need your own transport unless the listing says pickup.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the closest whitewater rafting to Denver?

Clear Creek near Idaho Springs and Dumont is the closest, about 30-40 minutes west of Denver on I-70.

How much does a half-day rafting trip cost?

Clear Creek half-day trips start around $75 per person. Arkansas River half-days (Browns Canyon, Royal Gorge) are about $105-$149.

Is Clear Creek or Browns Canyon better for families?

Both have family trips. Lower Clear Creek (Class II-III) is closer to Denver; Browns Canyon on the Arkansas (Class II-III) is more scenic but about 2-2.5 hours away.

What is the minimum age for rafting in Colorado?

Family trips usually start around age 6-7 and 50 lbs. Class IV trips require older participants. Limits vary by operator and water level.

When is the best time to raft in Colorado?

Late May and June have the biggest water; July and August are warmer and mellower. The season usually ends around Labor Day.

Most of these tours allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start. Check the terms on each listing.

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