Durango Half Day Rafting Trip - Lower Animas River

Overview

Available languages

English

4 hours

Mobile ticket

Rafting through Durango is just as popular with the locals as it is the visitors. It’s the perfect mix of excitement for all ages, with the added charm of floating through an impossibly picturesque town. You’ll catch plenty of splashes while getting to sit back and relax on this free-flowing Rocky Mountain river.

Half Day rafting trips on the Lower Animas are incredibly popular for busy schedules. You'll get a couple hours on the water with the best rapid sections.

Plus, our guides are well-trained and absolutely love what they do. You’ll get a hoot out of them as much as they get a hoot out of running this river.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

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

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Helmets, PFD's (life jakcets), and splash tops

Pre-trip safety orientation

Highly maintained and quality equipment

River and land access fees included

Free Parking

Trip Leaders average 2,000 river miles

Gratuities

Lunch

What To Expect

This must-do Durango adventure gives you around 2 hours on the river, taking you through the heart of this historic town and the funnest rapid sections. Families, friends, solo travelers, and locals of all experience levels absolutely love this trip! You'll bound through plenty of Class II rapids and one 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. Keep in mind the size of rapids will vary throughout the season with water levels, with spring typically having higher flows and summer lower flows. Don't worry if you're here later in the season, there's plenty of excitement to be had as we navigate between the rocks! Our experienced and entertaining river guides will get you downstream, sharing tons of fun stories, and fascinating history and insights about the area. You're welcome to paddle with your guide, or sit back and relax. All trips come with a safety orientation and paddling instructions from our experienced and fun-loving river guides. We take ages 4 and up on these trips!

Options

1/2 Day Afternoon Rafting Trip

Duration: 4 hours
1:30pm - 5:30pm

1/2 Day Morning Rafting Trip

Duration: 4 hours
8:30am - 12:30pm

Reviews

4.93

942 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

913

Fun, chill and splashes of rapids
cs230,
Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our guide tailored it to the interest of the group, made it fun. Good mixture of chill with some rapids. Highly recommend.
Great experience
michal k,
Sep 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I vistied Cortez Colorado in August 2025 and had a booking for rafting on lower Animas in Durango with Mild to Wild. The trip was very well organised, I was taken care by Corbin who appeared to be great companion.
Good experience
Thomas L,
Aug 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The water was low when we did it in August, but the rain helped so it wasn’t just a float. The guided were friendly and did a great job maneuvering around the rocks, and other various obstacles. Overall a good experience.
AWESOME ADVENTURE
948skylarw,
Aug 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had the privilege of going down the river with the Goudie Family. Not only was the company, but our ride down was amazing. Our guide, who was a Vet, gave us a history lesson going down the river. Thank you for the great conversation and most all Thank You for your service. I would recommend this adventure for a family outing. Thanks from all of us!
Best afternoon with Trey!
jennifer s,
Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Trey was such an awesome guide! We loved every second of the trip. He was was both serious and chill. Thank you, Trey, for an amazing afternoon!!
Stuck
P6222CQelsad,
Aug 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00
Water was too low, all the rafts were getting stuck and it took a long time to get through the trip. I will return but in the spring. Guides were great!
Exhillerating & Fun Time!
U5336SJjaneg,
Aug 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Exhillerating! Flow went from mild to wild and back again. Beautiful day with grandsons to remember for a long time’s. Our guide Michael was excellent at guiding us safely . Thanks!
Great rafting (thanks Kyle)
319haileyg,
Aug 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great time it was an amazing way to experience the Animas in Durango. Our guide Kyle was great. He was very personable and knowledgeable.
A great time!
killaking,
Aug 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a great experience for our family. It was our first time ever rafting. Our guide was Noah and I must say, he kept our group moving. Popcorn! He was very knowledgeable about rafting and local history. I just wish the river would have had a lot of water, so we could really have some fun. He was very wary about our safety. Unfortnately with all that fun, I lost my wedding ring in the Animas River. I can only hope one day someone finds it and returns it to me, but realistically the new owner of this ring will undoubtedly be the Animas River. There is always that slight chance someone finds it. All in all, I would recommend this trip to everyone and one day, I plan on returning just a lot earlier in the year when the river is full. Thank you Noah, you da man!
Day on the water
Scenic63661198220,
Jul 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was soooooo much fun and it was the perfect balance of engagement and relaxation! Zuzu masterfully led us through all of the different rocks and such and I would definitely go again!