Colorado

Top 3 Colorado River Rafting Tours from Glenwood Springs

by Cedric Pentomville  |  Published August 18, 2021

Glenwood Springs might be best known for its hot springs, but there are some great rafting tours that make use of the white water of the Colorado River too.

(Photo: Getyourguide.com)

By the time it reaches Glenwood Springs, the Colorado River has already been flowing for around 140 miles (225km), taking on many tributaries along the way. While it is just a shadow of the river that cut the wedge into Arizona known as the Grand Canyon, the river has already become quite powerful. White water rafting is already possible on the Colorado at Glenwood Springs, although there are some milder rafting tours available too. Here are some of the best tours, from calm waters to churning rapids.

90-minute Mild Raft Tour on the Colorado River

Take a leisurely raft tour down the Colorado River with Whitewater Rafting LLC. This easy-going trip is ideal for anybody who is new to rafting or who’d prefer to enjoy the view, rather than fighting with the laws of hydrodynamics. The trip involves a six-mile stretch of the river, with life jackets and helmets provided to all passengers. It’s an ideal tour for families with young children. As with all rafting tours on this list, availability runs from April to mid-September only. Tours depart daily. From $50 per person.

Book at Getyourguide.com

Half-day Rafting Tour from Glenwood Springs

(Photo: Getyourguide.com)

So, you want a little more of a challenge to your rafting trip? White water over calm water? Well, this three-hour tour might well provide the answer you’ve been looking for. You’ll be given a lift nine miles away from Glenwood Springs to a part of the river where rapids with names like Tombstone and Maneater can be found. These Class III and IV rapids are a thrilling way to move down the Colorado River. When the rapids end, you’ll pass some hot springs, where you’ll be able to ease those muscles. Daily departures. From $62 per person.

Book at Getyourguide.com

Colorado River White Water Rafting Tour

Perhaps both of the tours above sound appealing to you? Adrenaline and Zen floating can and do go hand-in-hand with this tour. Or perhaps paddle in hand, at least for the first section of the tour, which involves the Class III and IV rapids. After a few hours and nautical miles, you’ll stop for a riverside picnic consisting of a hot lunch, before jumping back into your raft for a mellow float down the Colorado River. The final section enjoys some lighter rapids, where you can have a final dose of adrenaline. This tour lasts around six hours in total and departs daily throughout the summer rafting season. From $104 per person.

Book at Getyourguide.com