Splash, dunk, rinse, laugh, repeat. Since the 1970s, commercial whitewater rafting has been one of the most idealistic and adventurous ways to experience Colorado’s historic and wild canyon, mountain, and desert landscapes.

Here are eight of the most famous and not-to-be-missed stretches of whitewater that Colorado has to offer.

Yampa and Green rivers

Inside Dinosaur National Monument are two riverways — the Yampa and the Green — that wind through an area of archeological phenomena, fossils, and indigenous rock petroglyphs.

“For multi-day river trips, the Gates of Ladore [section] on the Green River and the Yampa River are both outstanding, in Dinosaur National Monument, and have cultural history. The two different trips finish at the same place,” says Sean Sorrin, a Colorado-based professional river guide who’s been guiding for 29 seasons. He’s worked on 100 rivers worldwide from Colorado to Ethiopia, guided for OARS for 13 years, and guides part-time on the Arkansas River for River Runners.

“The scenery for both trips is outstanding, and the geology is opposite despite both being in Dinosaur National Monument and so close together,” said Sorrin. “The Yampa trip is through younger canyon walls, of weaver sandstone, that’s lighter in color. The Gates of Ladore canyon walls are older, dark red rocks that contrast with the ponderosa pines,” he explained. For both sections, river runners see the Mitten Park Fault, a fault line where the rocks shoot vertically versus horizontally.

Rafting along the Green River through the Gates of Lodore Canyon takes explorers along a segment of the original exploration route followed in 1869 by pioneer and geologist John Wesley Powell.

“When I guided the Gates of Ladore, I read from Powell’s journal nightly for guests. His descriptions and writings were detailed and poetic from his first voyage through The Great Unknown,’ a blank area in the United States map, that Powell was mapping,” said Sorrin.

Paddlers can soak up the stars among unique geological formations and sandy stretches. Since 2019, the monument has been among the Centennial State’s International Dark Sky-designated destinations.

The Yampa is also the last free-flowing major tributary of the Colorado River. “It’s not dam-controlled, so the flows are what Mother Nature gives, which is typically a shorter season: May, June, and sometimes July,” said Sorrin.

Royal Gorge

The Royal Gorge is one of the Centennial State’s most popular attractions and is home to one of the world’s highest suspension bridges, which stretches across the gorge. The bridge — 1,270 feet across and 956 feet above the water — was constructed in 1929.

The plummeting canyon walls wind for 10 miles, creating a channel in the earth that was formed over millions of years. Outside of Canyon City and near Colorado Springs and Pueblo, the Gorge feels like the middle of nowhere, yet is easily accessible.

One of the most famous ways to experience the canyon and bridge is to ride the rapids below: an adventurous rodeo across class III-IV rapids.

Bighorn Sheep Canyon

To extend your whitewater season, head to the Arkansas River Valley.

“The Arkansas River has guaranteed flows until August 15th, due to agreements with farmers and ranchers and water municipalities,” said Sorrin.

Running the Bighorn offers a family-friendly and mellow day on the whitewater through a gorgeous high-desert landscape. The Rocky Mountain landscape, a section of the Arkansas River, is home to Bighorn Sheep. These sheep have curled horns that can weigh up to 30 pounds alone. Eastbound between Salida and Canyon City, the river’s rapids range from Bear Creek to Spider, Badger Creek (all class II-III), and The Flume (class III-IV).

Browns Canyon

Dynamic granite walls stretch above the Arkansas River like a castle’s watchtowers: Both paddlers and anglers alike gawk skyward in appreciation of the geological glory of Browns Canyon.

President Obama designated Browns Canyon National Monument in February 2015. The Arkansas River valley has 21,586 acres of pristine canyons, rivers, and forest.

The stars and dark sky are pristine. “Browns Canyon is one of the newest International Dark Sky Park designated places, and you can do an overnight trip on that section through the canyon,” said Sorrin. In December 2024,

Browns Canyon National Monument became the Centennial State’s 18th certified International Dark Sky Place and 12th International Dark Sky Park.

The iconic rapids along this lifeline include Zoom Flume, Big Drop and Toilet Bowl, and range from class II-III.

The Monument encompasses nearly 12,000 acres of the San Isabel National Forest and 10,000 acres of BLM land. From Buena Vista to Salida, the canyon elevation ranges from 7,300 to 10,000 feet and features views of the snow-capped Sawatch Range.

The Numbers

Yee-haw! It’s time for an adventure: Class IV-V rapids await these paddlers. The Numbers is named for its consecutive game of rapids in rapid-fire, one right after the other. Also along the Arkansas River, rafters can’t go wrong with the stunning views — when they earn a break to look up at the paradise.

Animas River

In Colorado’s Southwest, the Animas is famous for its technical Class IV and V rapids, some of the country’s most challenging commercially rafted segments.

If you’ve never been to Durango, the mining town’s history and charm are stunning, as is the river that snakes through it.

Cache la Poudre River

Beyond its challenging rapids, the Cache la Poudre River is Colorado’s first and sole federally designated National Wild and Scenic River. It is an incredible piece of history meant to stand the test of time.

“If you’re visiting northern Colorado, the Poudre is phenomenal, and it’s so close to Rocky Mountain National Park,” said Sorrin.

When is whitewater rafting season?

Colorado’s rivers are fed by snowmelt, which moves down slope from the snow that accumulates throughout winter at the top of our high-altitude Rocky Mountains. As the spring season delivers gradually warmer temperatures and sunshine, the snow runoff increasingly funnels down and feeds into the whitewater flow.

Generally, the window to run whitewater rafting trips in Colorado is from May to September, from spring to summer and fall. Occasionally, trips can run as early as April. Once September hits, the first sprinkle (or storm) of snow usually arrives.

However, several factors play into the conditions on a river trip. The snow season, weather, water flow and visitation are all pieces of the pie.

The consistency of warm days affects how quickly the river flow increases. If the air temperatures oscillate, then the flow will rollercoaster to reflect it. Alternatively, if there is a huge sunny spell (coupled with no additional rain), then the water levels will initially be consistently high with the snowmelt and then begin to drop.

Water measurement

Water level measurement is based on

CFS units, or cubic feet per second. The Arkansas River, for example, runs at an average of 2000 CFS, but can be run at a minimum of 200 CFS and a maximum of 7000 CFS.

Due to the shape of a canyon, the water can be channeled, and a river can still be runnable at a lower CFS.

Water temperatures

Water temperatures can range from 30 degrees and above during the early rafting season to about 55 degrees in late rafting season.

Fortunately, the wetsuits, personal flotation devices, and booties help hold body heat and keep paddlers warm.

Rapids 101

Most kid-friendly white water rafting trips fall within Class I-II. Here’s a general guideline of the classification of rapids, according to author I. Herbert Gordon:

• Class I: Easy, slower water with light riffles.

• Class II: Moderate, medium-quick water with regular waves and space to move through obstacles like rocks.

• Class III: Moderately difficult, quicker sections of water with higher waves. The space between obstacles is narrower and difficult to maneuver.

• Class IV: Difficult, quick flow with powerful rapids and standing waves with advanced paddling required. Sections of rapids need scouting before you run them.

• Class V: Extremely difficult with long, severe rapids with steep drops.

• Class VI: Extraordinarily difficult with constant danger—thus, requires the highest level of expert paddling experience and every safety precaution must be implemented.