Colorado River
The Colorado River, a spectacular force of nature, is the lifeblood of the American West. Meandering over 1,450 miles from the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains all the way to the deserts of Mexico, this river passes through five U.S. states and eleven National Parks. As one of the longest rivers in the United States, it has etched some of the world’s most awe-inspiring features into the earth, including the Grand Canyon.
THE MIGHTY COLORADO RIVER
Along its course, the Colorado River represents a vital water source for millions of people and agricultural areas, as well as supports a rich diversity of wildlife. It also serves as a recreational paradise, offering world-class opportunities for white-water Rafting, Fishing, and Camping, and its rich and enduring history makes the Colorado River a crucial aspect of the landscape of the western United States.
Explore Colorado River
Top Trips
The Colorado River offers numerous opportunities for Whitewater Rafting amidst the backdrop of stunning scenery. From fun float trips appropriate for ages 2 and up to challenging, pulse-pounding rides, the Colorado River has river trips for everyone. Join AVA in Kremmling, Colorado for a trip down this mighty river, where the area’s mellower waters make it the perfect destination for river adventure, with activities including Rafting, Fly-Fishing, Kayaking, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding.
Colorado Float Trips – Scenic Half Day
This wonderful Colorado River float trip is a gently flowing section that is inviting to all ages. You’ll encounter a few small rapids as [...]
Polaris RZR 2 Hour Rental+ Scenic Float Package
Looking to kick up a little dirt and then wash it off? Experience the best of Colorado’s outdoors on our full-day UTV Rental and [...]
Stand Up Paddleboard Half Day
Try the newest, most fun activity on the river – Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)! On this half-day trip, you’ll SUP 5 miles down the [...]
Inflatable Kayaks Half Day
Looking to take charge of the river? On AVA’s Upper Colorado Inflatable Kayak ½ Day trip you can do just that! Whether you want [...]
Scenic Float Full Day
Experience the natural beauty of the Colorado River on our Full Day Upper Colorado Full Day Scenic Float trip! You’ll paddle a gently flowing [...]
24 Hours on the Upper Colorado
This trip offers something for everyone! Enjoy wildlife, serenity, and natural beauty that only the Colorado River can offer. You’ll have plenty of time [...]
Your AVA COLORADO RIVER Trip
Colorado River Trips
Our Colorado River trips provide an opportunity for all ages and abilities to get out on the water! With access from our Kremmling, Colorado outpost, our Colorado River trips will take you through stunning and rugged landscapes, offering opportunities to immerse yourself in beautiful Colorado scenery.
Our Upper Colorado Scenic Float Trip features mellow class II rapids perfect for all ages. Choose from a 1/2 day or full day adventure and float in between the walls of “Little Gore Canyon,” where wildlife and scenery abound. This trip provides opportunities to sunbathe, swim, and even leap from Jump Rock if water levels permit!
More River Fun
We additionally offer Inflatable Kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard 1/2 day trips, allowing you to paddle your own kayak or paddleboard-no prior experience required! With a bit of guidance, it’s easy to learn to paddle these stable vessels through small riffles, wave trains, and tiny rapids that will keep the excitement flowing.
Our overnight Colorado River trip, 24 hours on the Upper Colorado, allows families and kids as young as 5 to explore the best of this river, day and night. This trip takes you through stunning landscapes, including waterfalls and canyons, with plenty of time on the river, opportunities to explore your riverside campsite, and a night spent camping under the stars.
AVA and the Colorado River
AVA began running trips on the Colorado River, near the Gore Canyon, in only our second season in 1999. Without an outpost it proved more difficult to manage and organize trips, and in 2008, AVA expanded to open a shop in Kremmling. We then acquired an outpost in Kremmling in 2016, expanding our Colorado River options to include Fly Fishing, UTV Rentals, and River Gear Rentals.
Getting to the Colorado River
Our Colorado River Outpost is located in the town of Kremmling, Colorado, just 37 miles north of Silverthorne and 53 miles south of Steamboat Springs. Our Colorado River trips are just about an hour away from Breckenridge and Summit County, under 2 hours from Denver, and 1 hour from Rocky Mountain National Park.
Other Colorado River Activities
There are a number of other activities you can also experience while in Kremmling near the Colorado River! Spend time with us perfecting your casts on our Colorado River Fly Fishing trips. Explore the mountains surrounding the town of Kremmling with our Off-Road UTV Rentals, and even experience the best of the land and water in a Raft + UTV Rental package. This full day adventure combines a rugged UTV experience with our 1/2-day scenic float! If you’d like to skip out on the guided experience and explore the Colorado River on your own, we also offer Gear Rentals.
The Waterway of the West
The Colorado River embodies the great American West, as it stretches over 1,400 miles from the Rocky Mountains to the deserts of Mexico. It courses through diverse landscapes, carving spectacular canyons, supporting a rich array of wildlife, fueling agriculture, and offering unparalleled recreational activities like white-water rafting and fishing, and represents a vital component of the United States.
Colorado River for Thrill Seekers
For those looking for the ultimate rush, we recommend a scenic float trip coupled with our exciting UTV rentals! This package allows you to kick up some dirt, ride fast on a thrilling side by side, explore the scenery, and relax on our mellow float trip.
Colorado River Family Friendly Rafting
Rafting on the Colorado River can accommodate kids as young as 2 years old and is great for all ages and families. Just because the youngens can join this trip doesn’t mean the excitement stops! Whether you are a seasoned rafter or first-timer, you will enjoy a trip down the Colorado River with opportunities to relax, sunbathe, and jump into the river!
Colorado River Quick Facts
Location: Kremmling, Colorado
Drive time from Denver: less than 2 hours
Best time to raft: May – October
Ages: 2 years old and up
Duration: 1/2 day, full day, multiday
Other Activities: Inflatable Kayaking, Stand Up Paddleboaring, Fly Fishing, Off-Road UTV Rentals, River Gear Rentals
Explore Colorado River Adventures
The Gauntlet White Water Rafting – Pine Creek & Numbers
Experience the wildest rafting offered on the Arkansas River in Colorado. On this full day rafting adventure, you’ll have the opportunity to navigate the [...]
Browns Canyon Half Day + Zipline Package
This multi-adventure package will keep you energized and smiling the entire day, as you fly through the trees on our Mountaintop Zipline course and [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
24 Hours in Browns Canyon
Experience Colorado’s best overnight whitewater rafting. This trip provides a unique way to explore the most popular stretch of whitewater rafting in the country [...]
Colorado Via Ferrata – Granite
Adventure awaits as you conquer the cliffside on this unique mountaintop climbing experience. Feel a rush of adrenaline as you traverse across and above [...]
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 [...]
FAQs
AVA Rafting operates guided trips on the Colorado River from May through October, weather dependent; however, you may also rent gear from us outside of that time frame and raft the Colorado River on a self-guided adventure.
Our Kremmling Outpost on the Colorado River is less than 2 hours from Denver, Colorado, about an hour away from Breckenridge and Summit County, and 1 hour from Rocky Mountain National Park.
With AVA Rafting, children as young as 2 years old can go on our Colorado River rafting trips. For overnight rafting trips on the Colorado River, the age minimum is 5 years old.
For your Colorado River rafting trip, we recommend wearing quick-drying clothes, a swimsuit and shoes that are secure to your feet-flip flops or crocs will not be permitted. You may have the opportunity to jump in and swim, so you’ll want to be wearing something that will dry quickly. Avoid wearing cotton material as it is slow to dry.
