Beginner Rafting

RIVER	TRIP NAME	CLASS	DIFFICULTY LEVEL	MINIMUM AGE	DEPT PLACE	MEETING TIME
Clear Creek	1/3 day beginner	2/3	Beginner	5 and 50lbs	Idaho Springs	9:30am / 12pm / 2:30pm / 5pm
Colorado	Colorado River Experience	2	Beginner	4 or 40 lbs	Breckenridge	10:30 am
Arkansas	Brown's Canyon full day	3/4	Beginner/ Intermediate	7	Buena Vista	Buena Vista 9am
Arkansas	Brown's Canyon 1/2 day	3/4	Beginner/ Intermediate	7	Buena Vista	9:30am / 2pm
Blue River	Blue River 1/2 day	2/3	Beginner	6	Breckenridge	9am / 12:30pm

Beginner river rafting adventures are a perfect activity for the whole family. Everyone from children as young as four years old to grandparents, the whole family will enjoy beginner rafting in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. It’s a great way to get the whole family to experience nature and the great outdoors and still stay within everyone’s comfort levels. 

Beginner adventures are also the perfect activity for people who are more timid or are not as comfortable around water. Remember, river rafting is a lot more then just crazy whitewater. It is wildlife, nature, history and knowledgeable, professional guides. All these factors make a day outside in the Colorado Rocky Mountains one you will never forget.

The best thing about running rivers in Colorado is the wide variety of difficulty levels you have to choose from. White water rafting in Colorado has something for everyone from 4 year old children to the experienced whitewater enthusiast. When choosing a raft trip you should always keep in mind the ability of every member of your group. It is a good idea to choose an adventure that is geared toward the person with the lowest ability level. Remember, every river adventure is fun, even the mellowest experience.

Rafting rivers is more than just crazy whitewater and extreme excitement. It is the total experience that creates the memories of a lifetime. A positive Colorado white water rafting experience is not only excitement but can also include wildlife, beautiful views, rich history from knowledgeable guides and most of all, enjoying a comfortable experience with friends and family. Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not take into consideration the “perfect whitewater rafting adventure” millions of years ago when she formed the rivers of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Keeping this in mind it might be necessary to adjust your expectations to accommodate everyone’s comfort levels.

Because difficulty levels for Colorado white water rafting adventures can vary depending on water levels and weather conditions you will sometimes have two different ratings for an adventure. The rating will often increase (get more difficult) in the early season during peak water flows due to high water levels and cooler weather conditions. High water season can be the best time to raft if you are looking for high adventure.

Remember to consider the group's comfort levels when deciding on a difficulty level for your adventure. High water season in Colorado is typically early to mid-June, peaking around the summer solstice (mid-June). This can differ depending on weather and snowpack. For more detailed information about water levels and weather conditions you can contact our knowledgeable reservations staff at 800-997-3448.

Minimum ages are also available to help you find your comfort level. Our minimum ages are not mandatory, they are a guide for you to use when making a decision about the adventure you are choosing. Factors that go into minimum ages include but are not limited to a person’s height, weight, physical ability, mental ability and maturity levels. These factors along with years of experience and taking thousand of guests rafting over the years have gone into setting minimum ages. We do reserve the right to refuse service if necessary depending on a person’s age or ability levels in an effort to maintain a reasonable level of safety.

Beginner = first timers, young children	Intermediate = aggressive first timers, teens
Advanced = experienced paddlers looking for an adventure	Expert = very experienced paddlers only
RIVER/RAPIDS CLASS RATING SYSTEM This is strictly a subjective scale. You can characterize a rapid by class or give a general class to a whole river even though it has several different classes of rapids within it. The class of a rapid or river can change at different water levels. The temperature of the water, the air temperature, the remoteness of the river, and the difficulty of a rescue can all influence the rapid's class. Class I - Easy. Small riffles. No significant waves or obstacles. Class II - Novice. Moderate rapids with regular waves, small drops, clear passages and wide channels. Occasional maneuvering may be required. Class III - Intermediate. Moderately difficult rapids with larger irregular waves, often narrow channels. Complex maneuvering to avoid obstacles required. Class IV - Advanced. Intense, powerful rapids requiring precise maneuvering in fast, turbulent water. Complex channels with many significant obstacles to be avoided. Class V - Expert. Extremely long violent or obstructed rapids, often following each other almost without interruption. Drops may have large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with difficult routes. Steep gradient. Class VI - unrunnable Classifications of river sections may change due to water levels For help in choosing a trip or any questions you might have please, call 1-800-997-3448 and our office personnel will be happy to assist you in putting together a successful river experience. Or e-mail us at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it