Colorado River

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What You Should Know About Whitewater River Rafting In Colorado

The Colorado River starts high in Rocky Mountain National Park and flows 1,450 miles through Colorado, into Utah and Arizona before emptying in Northern Mexico at the Golf of California. As you travel down this river through Colorado, you will experience many exciting sites, such as dinosaur tracks, old stagecoach trails, as well as many spectacular scenic views.

There are two sections of the Colorado River that are popular for rafting, the Upper Colorado River and Glenwood Canyon. The Upper Colorado River is just outside Kremmling, gently flowing through non-intimidating whitewater. Most of the rapids are Class II and III. The scenery ranges from natural to rural, including meadows, valleys, steep slopes and jagged cliffs. The Little Gore Canyon and the Red Eye and Screaming Left Turn rapids are points of interest along the Upper River. This section is enjoyable for all ages!

Continuing downstream on the Lower Colorado River toward Glenwood Springs, you will come across Glenwood Canyon. These rapids are more intense, classified as III-IV whitewater. Shoshone run, Upper Superstition and Tombstone bring you under the sheer cliff walls of the Glenwood Canyon. During high spring waters, most outfitters have a 16-year-old age limit along this section of the river.

Other sections of the Colorado River, such as the Westwater Canyon, offers intense whitewater as the river flows near Grand Junction from Loma, Colorado, through multi-hued red sandstone canyons. Gore Canyon, considered the most intense rafting in the State, begins south of Kremmling and will test any rafting enthusiast with Class IV and V rapids. The river continues through the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area and flows into Utah.

The International Rapid Rating Scale:

• Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles, small waves.
• Class II: Novice. Straightforward rapids, wide, clear channels.
• Class III: Intermediate. Rapids, moderate, irregular waves.
• Class IV: Advanced. Intense, powerful rapids, precise boat
handling.
• Class V: Expert. Long, obstructed, violent rapids.

Places to Stay and Fun Things to Do

A Liquid Descent Whitewater Rafting
Offering rafting trips near Estes Park, Summit County and the Denver Mountain Area. Enjoy relaxing float trip with gorgeous scenery, abundant wildlife, and riverside hot springs, or extreme whitewater!

AVA's Colorado Rafting
World-class rafting trips, from mild floats to advanced whitewater. Discounts offered daily, free wetsuits & jackets. Trips on 8 rivers in multiple Colorado locations, including rafting only 30 minutes from Denver.

Adventure Bound Inc.
Providing professionally-guided whitewater rafting trips on the Colorado River since 1963. Start in Grand Junction and explore Westwater & Cataract Canyons from the River. Plus Trips down the Green River.

Adventure Company, The
Whitewater Rafting on 4 different rivers, serving vacationers from Breckenridge to Buena Vista. Also offered are fishing float trips, rock climbing, biking, hiking, hot air ballooning & kayak instruction.

Breckenridge Whitewater Rafting
Trips on 8 rivers across Colorado! Our dedicated, skilled, and enthusiastic guides will show you the best river rafting adventure. Discounts offered daily. Free wetsuits and jackets.

Performance Tours Whitewater Rafting
Conveniently located in Breckenridge, Buena Vista & Royal Gorge. Raft the Blue River, Colorado River & Arkansas River.

Rock-N-Row Inc.
An adventure company opening the door for new adventures in Cotopaxi in the Royal Gorge region: experience whitewater rafting, inflatable kayaks, rock climbing, fly fishing, horseback riding, trail rides.

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