Vail Rafting
Vail is the largest ski area in North America. It is one of America's top ski resorts and a prime winter destination for people from all over the world. The Vail Valley is just as beautiful and desirable in the other seasons of the year when visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, horseback riding, fly fishing and amazing Vail rafting trips. In addition, visitors will discover Vail's famed restaurants, spas, nightlife, world-class hotels and shopping.
Vail Rafting Options
Within a few short miles of Vail is some of the best river rafting in Colorado. Don't miss out on experiencing one of our memorable river trips, the memories from which will last a lifetime!
From Vail, rafting options include full, half-day and multi-day river trips for beginning and intermediate rafters or hardcore, expert-level whitewater enthusiasts. Highside Adventure Tours' rafting trips are appropriate for all ages and skill levels and can be an ideal family activity or the perfect team building and leadership training activity for business meeting and convention attendees. Most of all, Vail rafting trips are great fun! Our Vail rafting options include the following:
Blue River — This Vail rafting trip meets at our Breckenridge Basecamp, about 35 minutes east of Vail. The Blue River is Summit County's only whitewater river and one of the few opportunities for high country river rafting in the state. Exquisitely scenic, our Blue River Rafting trip boasts gorgeous views of some of the highest peaks in Colorado, including the stunning Gore Range. This is a great Vail rafting trip for a half day adventure. Click on our Blue River page to learn more.
- Clear Creek — Our Clear Creek rafting trips meet at our offices in the historic Argo Mine building in Idaho Springs, Colorado, about a 60-minute drive from Vail. Clear Creek can provide 1/2-day, 1/3-day or full-day river trips for everyone from first-timers and beginners to intermediate and advanced whitewater adventurers. The Clear Creek Beginner trip is perfect for families and large groups with varying abilities; everyone will have fun, and you'll also enjoy exploring the historic mining town of Idaho Springs. To take full advantage of Idaho Springs, Highside Adventure Tours offers special combination packages that include a half day of Clear Creek rafting with a half-day mine and mine museum tour; or a half day rafting and an afternoon soak in the fabulously relaxing, mineral-rich hot springs of Indian Springs resort. Idaho Springs sits at the base of Mount Evans, which is a 14,000 foot mountain that features a paved road all the way to the top and almost certain wildlife viewings on the way.
Colorado River — this Vail rafting trip meets in Breckenridge, Colorado, approximately 35 minutes from Vail. Together, we drive roughly an hour to our river put-in in a remote canyon. The Colorado River is one of the classic rivers in the United States. Starting high in the Colorado Rockies, and eventually flowing through the Grand Canyon, the Colorado is the setting for some great mountain and canyon scenery, natural hot springs, old pioneer cabins and more. A great family float trips, the Colorado River Experience is perfect for beginners.
- Arkansas River — this Vail rafting trip starts with a ride of about 1.5 hours to the mountain town of Buena Vista. Buena Vista means “beautiful view” in Spanish, and they're not kidding! The 14,000-foot Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas River valley are simply beautiful. Along with the thrill of rafting the most popular commercial river in the U.S., the surroundings help make the trip even more worthwhile. Buena Vista is a town worth visiting --and don't miss the two fabulous hot springs right outside of town. From our Buena Vista Basecamp on the Arkansas River, we offer full and half day whitewater rafting trips for all levels and all ages, including an expert whitewater trip through the world-famous Royal Gorge.
All rafting trips include: rafts, helmets, personal flotation device, basic instruction and a professional, highly-skilled river rafting guide in your boat.
Bike and Raft Combination
When in Vail, rafting isn't your only opportunity for an unforgettable mountain adventure. Highside Adventure Tours also offers some fabulous bike trips plus some great biking and rafting combinations:
- Our super-popular Vail Pass Shuttle drops you off at the top of Vail Pass (elevation 10,666 feet). You'll cruise 14 miles downhill, through Officer's Gulch along Tenmile Creek (a high alpine snowmelt runoff river) and enjoy the beautiful scenery, glimpses of wildlife and abundant wildflowers. The ride takes you through Copper Mountain Resort, past the Copper Mountain stables and ends in the quaint town of Frisco. Marvel at the beauty of the glowing, golden Aspen in fall and the abundant wildflowers in spring. Keep your eyes peeled for elk, moose, mule deer, redtail hawk, eagle, marmots and the lynx habitat of the White River national forest. This is a biking adventure you won't want to miss.
Pedal and Paddle — Biking and Rafting Combo
From Vail, rafting and biking can be combined in one super-fun day with one of Highside Adventure Tours' biking and rafting combinations. Enjoy the Vail Pass Shuttle Trip in the morning, and then spend the afternoon river rafting for a complete high alpine adventure! Your Vail rafting choices for these combination packages include:
Give us a call for pricing and details! 800-997-3448
Think Vail Rafting!
If you're planning a spring or summer trip to Vail, a rafting adventure — or a rafting/biking, rafting/mine tour or rafting/hot springs combo — should definitely be part of your trip!
For more information about our Vail rafting choices and the adventures that await you, call us today and let us help you plan a memorable Vail Rafting trip today. 800-997-3448
