Durango 1/4 Day Rafting Trip - Lower Animas River
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
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Splash through Durango with an awesome river guide on the Lower Animas River! This adventure is an absolute must for visitors and locals alike.
Everyone loves this trip for its accessibility, picturesque scenery and rollicking rapids. It’s an adventure that offers a perfect mix of excitement and time to enjoy the sites along the way. We take rafters ages 4+!
Along the way you'll bound through plenty of Class II rapids and an exciting Class III at Smelter Whitewater Park. Class II rapids are "fun and friendly," rolling over the bow and dousing those at the front of the boat. Class III rapids are "wet and wild," usually soaking everyone in the raft head to toe.
Our experienced and entertaining river guides will get you downstream while sharing plenty of stories and fascinating history about the area. You're welcome to paddle with them or just sit back and relax
All trips come with a safety orientation and paddling instructions from the best river guides in Durango.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum age is 4 years
Wet-suit and wet-suit boot rentals are highly recommended through June
What To Expect
Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours
Meet at our Durango Office and suit up for the river! Your fun, knowledgeable and experienced river guides will get you fitted for a life jacket, helmet, and other river getup if needed (wetsuits when the weather/water is chilly). We'll then shuttle over to the river and have a quick safety orientation before heading out on the beautiful Animas River for an hour. We'll splash through plenty of refreshing Class II rapids, and one exciting Class III as we paddle downstream. Class II rapids are "fun and friendly" splashing those at the front of the boat, while Class III are "wet and fun" soaking everyone head to toe. Spring trips usually have higher flows with bigger splashes, while summer tends to have lower flows with more mild splashes. If you're rafting later in the season, we'll have some additional entertainment as we navigate between the rocks in the river! After an hour of fun, we'll take out, load up the boats and shuttle you back to our Durango Office.
Options
1/4 Day Fall Rafting Trip
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes 1:30PM-4:00PM
1/4 Day Afternoon Rafting Trip
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes 2:15pm - 4:45pm
1/4 Day Morning Rafting Trip
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes 10:30am - 1:00pm
What‘s Included
Pre-trip safety orientation
River and land access fees included
Round trip shuttle from main office
Free Parking
Free splash jackets and helmets (if desired)
Highly maintained equipment
Trip Leaders average 2,000 river miles
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
596 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
1/4 rafting with kids
R8192SOleahb,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have 2 kids under 10 and they both loved our rafting trip! 1/4 day was the perfect amount of time on the water and the guide, Alex, was experienced and able to make our trip just the right amount of fun.
Fun trip!
thehuddys,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sadie was an amazing guide! She was so friendly and knowledgeable. Sadie made our trip so fun and our group was sad to see the experience end! Perks: Great company! Chance to see wildlife. Changing rooms and gift shop. Bus transportation to and from the river. Employees who seem to love their job and working together!
White water rafting
T5669KBandreaa,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such a fun experience! Our guides name was Anthony and he was so much fun! Encouraging us the whole time, letting kids jump in for swimming, and even had splash wars with other rafters! It was our first time rafting and I highly recommend!
Family rafting June 2026
allisonw291,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is our second trip with this company and they did not disappoint. The guides Kip, Robbie and Jack were professional and informative. We came as a family of group of 12 and were able to stay together in 2 rafts. Thanks for the fun.. Hope to see you again in the future.
Great quick friends and family rafting trip!
185reneel,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time on the water with Sammy K. She was great with the kids and very knowledgeable. Lots of summer fun splashing and memory making. Highly recommended.
Wonderful first time experience.
Tracy L L,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My 9 year old nephew and I had a wonderful experience river rafting for the first time. Jake our guide on the raft was very nice and explained everything we needed to do. Actually all three guides and David the bus driver were all very nice guys and had great communication .. We would definitely do this again.
Fun safe trip
jilllandryd,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00So much fun! Great safe fun company. Sam our guide was awesome! She was great with our 9 year old grandson. We did the 1/4 day trip. It was perfect for us. Thank you for great family memories!
Fun Experience!!
chriszN9512OJ,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fun trip! Our guide Trey was awesome!!!
Can’t wait to come back
valerieqev,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Kiah was great! We did this one since my 9 year old saw it as we were driving past. It was a fun experience and my kiddo LOVED it! Kiah knew her stuff and gave some fun facts along the way. My kiddo now says she wants to grow up to be just like Kiah and be a rafting tour guide. We will be back!
On the mild side
436jameyj,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Loved my first experience! Our guide was funny & very informative regarding safety & the area. Staff was friendly & weather was gorgeous for a day on the river at a very reasonable price.
Related Experiences
Operated by Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours