Top Rivers / COME TO LIFE TOP RIVERS and more timid. Typical depar-ture cities: Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, Kremmling, Breckenridge, State Bridge CLEAR CREEK One of the most convenient rafting rivers to Denver, Clear Creek is located right off I-70. Once on the river, however, the interstate goes unnoticed as paddlers drop through the steep and narrow bed. Half-and full-day excursions satisfy those looking for a Class IV day or a quick splash. Typical departure city: Idaho Springs ANIMAS RIVER Trips on the lower Animas are often packaged with rides on the Durango & Silverton Railroad and zipline tours. The upper Animas has challenging Class IV and V rapids that are con-sidered among the toughest commercially rafted waters in the country. Typical departure city: Durango for Colorado Whitewater Rafting Each spring, gravity and sunshine draw Colorado’s beloved winter snow down from the high country and into Colorado rivers for some of the country’s most amazing whitewater rafting adventures. CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER This river propels boaters on runs that provide challenges for intermediate or advanced abilities. Not only does it offer great runs, but it’s also as unique an experience as you can have on Colorado waters — it’s Colorado’s only federally designated National Wild and Scenic River. Typical departure city: Fort Collins YAMPA/GREEN RIVER Winding through Dinosaur National Monument, this multiday run floats you past fossils and archeological sites, Fremont Indian rock carvings, interesting geological formations and san-dy spots perfect for overnight camping. Typical departure city: Steamboat Springs TAYLOR RIVER Views of the jagged Collegiate Peaks mountain range oversee three sections of varying difficulty on the scenic and narrow Taylor River, which is also popular with fishers. Typical departure cities: Gunnison, Crested Butte Learn more at COLORADO. com/WhitewaterRivers and from the Colorado River Outfit-ters Association at croa.org . 4 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT RAFTING COLORADO RIVERS 1 ALMOST ANYONE CAN GO WHITEWATER RAFTING IN COL-ORADO: While adrenaline junk-ies can certainly get their fix on Colorado rivers, rafting is safe and fun for people of nearly all ages and abilities. Just discuss your group’s comfort level with the rafting company when you sign up. With so many rivers and expert guides, there’s an experience fit for people of nearly all abilities. ARKANSAS RIVER Cutting through canyons and dropping 5,000 feet in the first 125 miles, the Arkansas is one of the nation’s most popular. From family-friendly Browns Canyon to boat-rocking Bighorn Sheep Canyon and Royal Gorge stretches, it runs through beautiful landscapes. Typical departure cities: Buena Vista, Salida, Cañon City, Nathrop COLORADO RIVER Divided by upper and lower sections, the Colorado runs a gauntlet of canyons and ravines that provide sightseeing intermin-gled with rapids and calms, with stretches that serve the daring 2 COLORADO RAFTING GUIDES ARE EXPERTS: All the rafting companies listed in this guide and on COLORADO. com are state-certified and have all the expertise needed to lead you safely down the river. They are accustomed to guiding trips for seasoned rafters and those who’ve never dipped a paddle in the water. 3 WHITEWATER RAFTING OTHER RAFTING HOT SPOTS Roaring Fork River , Aspen Blue River , Frisco, Brecken-ridge, Dillon, Kremmling Gunnison River , Gunnison Eagle River , Eagle, Wolcott, Edwards San Juan River , Pagosa Springs San Miguel River , near Telluride North Platte River , Fort Collins and Steamboat Springs Dolores River , Cortez Piedra River , Durango, Pagosa Springs Uncompahgre River , Ridgway INTENSITY VARIES BY TIME OF YEAR: Depending on the time of year and stretch of river, your Colorado rafting trip could be a leisurely ride through placid waters or a thrill-a-minute ad-venture through the rapids. In May and June, melting moun-tain snow makes the rivers run faster for more exciting rides. By August and into September, many rivers are much milder. 4 YOU CAN CUSTOMIZE YOUR COLORADO RAFTING TRIP: Colorado rafting com-panies offer plenty of options for your trip, including multiday adventures that include camp-ing, and the ability to combine rafting trips with other activities, like train rides, winery tours, ziplining and fly-fishing trips. WHITEWATER PARKS BROWNS CANYON, TIM BROWN. With more than any other state, these designated areas are built for kayaking, canoeing and tubing — hop in or just watch the action: Golden, Denver, Buena Vista, Salida, near Kremmling (Gore Canyon), Glenwood Springs, Avon, Pueblo, Gunnison, Cañon City, Lyons, Fort Collins, Steamboat Springs, Montrose, Breckenridge, Boulder, Durango, Pagosa Springs and Vail, to name a few. WHITEWATER RAFTING Scan with your Layar app to watch a video on one of the dozen rivers in the state with spectacular whitewater. See full instructions on page 4. With rafting hubs and companies located near dozens of Colorado towns, including Buena Vista, Salida, Steamboat Springs, Winter Park, Vail, Grand Junction, Durango and Fort Collins, it’s never hard to find a good place to get on the water. COLORADO.COM / 63
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2017: Page 63
