Clear Creek
Located in an old mining valley in the Colorado Rockies, its proximity to Denver, Boulder, Summit County and Winter Park makes Clear Creek rafting an easily accessible favorite for locals and travelers alike. The Clear Creek runs through Idaho Spring’s historic mining valley, providing opportunities for scenic views and potential wildlife spotting while flowing through fun and floaty rapids.
THE CHARM OF CLEAR CREEK
Clear Creek meanders from Loveland Pass, through Golden and The Front Range, until it converges with the South Platte River. Flowing gracefully through the breathtaking Clear Creek Canyon nestled in the majestic Rocky Mountains, this waterway runs parallel to I-70 and is just 30 minutes from Denver. It winds its way through the charming town of Idaho Springs, where amidst the fervor of the Colorado gold rush in the late 1850s, the first gold in the state was discovered.
Explore Clear Creek
Top Trips
Clear Creek offers excellent Whitewater Rafting for all groups, ages, and ability levels. Whether you are looking for an exciting and adventurous family reunion activity, a unique introduction to the Colorado wilderness, or a different way to celebrate your bachelor party, Clear Creek has something for everyone. Because of its varying intensities and gorgeous landscape, Clear Creek is the premier whitewater location for anybody looking for a truly Colorado experience on the Front Range with rafting opportunities for all ages and abilities on class III through V rapids.
Clear Creek Gold Rush + Zipline Package
Join us on one of our best family trips, and experience Colorado fun on the river and in the air. From our Idaho Springs [...]
Gold Rush Clear Creek Rafting Adventure
Splash down the Clear Creek mining valley on our 1/3 day Gold Rush trip. Just a short half-hour trip from Denver, this family-friendly rafting [...]
Mount Blue Sky, Colorado Via Ferrata
Get your heart up on one of our most daring adventure trips! On our Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata course, you will traverse the [...]
Upper Clear Creek Half Day Rafting Trip
Our Upper Clear Creek adventure will keep your paddle moving and your heart pounding as you crash through class IV rapids. Enjoy the beautiful [...]
Cliffside Zipline Half Day
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Upper Clear Creek 1/2 Day + Via Ferrata
Spend your day venturing through the mountains on with this thrilling combo of activities! You’ll have the opportunity to challenge yourself on the water [...]
What an AVA CLEAR CREEK ADVENTURE Looks Like
Clear Creek for Families
Our Clear Creek Gold Rush trip is great for families with kids as young as 6. This 1/3 day trip is a great introduction to whitewater rafting in Colorado and takes you through eleven Class III rapids as you paddle and splash your way down the Creek! Package this Gold Rush trip with a half-day zipline trip for a full day of multi-adventure fun.
Clear Creek for Adrenaline Junkies
Looking to up the intensity? Our 1/2 day trip on Upper Clear Creek allows you to conquer some of the most intense whitewater rafting on Clear Creek! Enjoy this steep, technical section that will keep your paddle moving. This trip is exciting and physically demanding and will test your limits!
Ready for the best Clear Creek has to offer? The exhilarating Lower Canyon of Clear Creek trip is a 1/2 day advanced whitewater trip that plunges you through one of the most continuous sections of whitewater in Colorado. You will rush through impressive scenery and an even more impressive gradient that drops 150 feet/mile through the canyon.
Push your physical limits on our full day advanced trip, the Phoenix, which combines the Upper Clear Creek, the Gold Rush and the Lower Canyon into one jam-packed day with a delicious BBQ lunch in the middle!
AVA's Clear Creek Outpost
Conveniently located only 30 minutes from Denver, our Idaho Springs outpost allows easy access to one of Colorado’s most well-known rivers. We expanded rafting to our Idaho Springs outpost in 2005 and introduced our aerial adventures in 2011! Our Clear Creek outpost features part-day and full-day trips with multiple departure times from early morning to evening.
Getting to the Clear Creek
Our outpost in Idaho Springs is located just 30 minutes west of downtown Denver and about one hour from Boulder, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Winter Park, providing convenient access to Whitewater Rafting and adventure opportunities! Our location just off of I-70 allows you to easily add an adventure experience to your Colorado trip itinerary.
Clear Creek Charm
Clear Creek meanders from Loveland Pass, through Golden and The Front Range, until it converges with the South Platte River. Flowing gracefully through the breathtaking Clear Creek Canyon nestled in the majestic Rocky Mountains, this waterway runs parallel to I-70 and is just 30 minutes from Denver. It winds its way through the charming town of Idaho Springs, where amidst the fervor of the Colorado gold rush in the late 1850s, the first gold in the state was discovered.
Other Adventure Opportunities
At our Idaho Springs outpost, you can also fly through the trees on an exciting Zipline course of climb into the cliffs above historic Idaho Springs on our Via Ferrata adventure. Each course will challenge and thrill you, providing stunning views and an opportunity to explore Colorado from a new angle.
History of Clear Creek
Clear Creek County, located in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, has a rich and colorful history shaped by mining, transportation, and the rugged landscape. Originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Ute and Arapaho, the area saw an influx of settlers during the Colorado Gold Rush of the mid-19th century. Prospectors flocked to Clear Creek in search of precious metals, leading to the establishment of mining towns such as Georgetown and Idaho Springs.
Explore Clear Creek Adventures
Upper Clear Creek 1/2 Day + Via Ferrata
Spend your day venturing through the mountains on with this thrilling combo of activities! You’ll have the opportunity to challenge yourself on the water [...]
The Numbers 1/2 Day + Via Ferrata
This adventure will get your heart rate up and keep it up as you embark on our Numbers + Via Ferrata full-day excursion. This [...]
Rock Climb Half Day
Take in the Rocky Mountain scenery while our guides cover the basics of belaying, rappelling, and setting anchors. Whether you’re looking to learn more [...]
The Numbers Half Day + Rock Climb
Experience an action-packed day with two of Colorado’s best mountain activities! On this multi-adventure package, you’ll have the opportunity to raft the iconic Arkansas [...]
Rappel into the Gauntlet
On this full-day whitewater rafting adventure, we’ll get your adrenaline flowing beginning with a rappel into the Granite Gorge! You’ll meet your raft for [...]
Browns Canyon Sizzler Full Day
The full-day Browns Canyon Sizzler represents the ultimate Colorado rafting experience! This trip offers a full day of classic white water rafting through class [...]
Gold Rush Clear Creek Rafting Adventure
Splash down the Clear Creek mining valley on our 1/3 day Gold Rush trip. Just a short half-hour trip from Denver, this family-friendly rafting [...]
Idaho Springs
431 Chicago Creek Rd, Idaho Springs, CO 80452
AVA Rafting & Zipline has offered rafting and other outdoor adventure experiences in Colorado since its inception in 1998. With a focus on the guest experience across all adventures, AVA hosts world-class whitewater rafting on multiple rivers, as well as ziplining, Via Ferrata, multi-adventure packages, rock climbing, fly fishing, horseback riding, off-road rentals, train rides, and more. AVA Rafting & Zipline seeks to foster positive outdoor experiences and memories through innovative outdoor adventure opportunities, with a dedication to safety and guest service flowing through every river, course, and line. With outposts in Buena Vista, Kremmling, and Idaho Springs, AVA offers adventures in some of Colorado’s wildest places
