Telluride 1 Day Rafting Trip with Lunch - San Miguel River
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 45 minutes
Mobile ticket
When it comes to Colorado whitewater, hardly anyone knows about the San Miguel River. Which is kind of a surprise! Given how much fun it is, on top of being in proximity to bougie and beloved Telluride.
The rafting section is gorgeously scenic, exciting for all experience levels, and pretty much a must if you want to spend the afternoon like a local. Its red sandstone canyon juxtaposed by flourishing pine forests make for a picturesque setting to recreate on this Rocky Mountain river.
Anyone who loves the outdoors will have an absolute hoot on this tour, whether it’s your first or hundredth time rafting. Just ask our guides, most— if not all!— will agree that the San Miguel is their favorite river to run.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum age is 10 years
Must be willing to paddle
Wetsuits are often required until July, and recommended all season (rentals available for $15)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
State of the art self bailing rafts
Free helmet and Coast Guard approved personal flotation Device
Lunch
All Fees and Taxes
Splash Jackets, Wetsuits & Neoprene Boots
Trip leaders with an average of 2,000 river miles of experience (State only requires 750 miles)
Spot communication for added safety when inside the remote sections
Gratuities
What To Expect
Grab a paddle and guide, and spend the day better than anyone else around Telluride! Full Day rafting trips on the San Miguel offer fun and friendly whitewater while bounding through scenery seldom seen in Colorado. The morning portion of these trips start in a narrow sandstone canyon, with constant class II and III rapids. This twisting stretch requires more technical paddling as you skirt around boulders and bends in the river. We absolutely love this stretch, as the forest engulfs the scenery between the red cliffs. After a couple hours, we’ll stop for a well-deserved deli style lunch! Then it’s back in the boats for another beautiful stretch of the San Miguel where the canyon opens up and more wildlife tends to come out. Your guide will spill the juicy details about the area in between paddle commands along the way. Be ready for plenty of class II drops and wave trains! All trips come with a safety orientation and paddling instructions from our experienced and fun-loving river guides. You'll get acquainted quickly! As you'll be steering the boat with them the whole way.
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Telluride 1 Day Rafting Trip with Lunch - San Miguel River
Reviews
55 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Making the most of a river with low water
h3305,
Jul 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The San Miguel is one of our favorite wild rivers to raft. We've been on it with high water and low, but never as low as it was for this trip. M2W gave us the option of cancel and take a credit, but we chose to go ahead. Even then, the full day trip became 2 runs at the same half-day section since the lower portion was totally un-runnable. But we ended up with a fun and challenging experience, as the significant grade in the river still made it a fast run and our guide Nina maneuvered us through rocks that would be underwater at higher water levels. And safety first - Nina yanked me out of the river within what couldn't have been more than 15 seconds when I held onto my stuck paddle too long and the raft went on without me. Mild2Wild has always included a safety lecture before each trip and because of that I knew exactly what to do and what to expect when I found myself briefly floating alongside the raft. We've done many trips with the M2W group over more than 10 years, and they never disappoint. Guides are friendly, knowledgeable about the area, and well-trained. We'll be back.
Amazing adventure!
Trail67218526177,
Jul 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Huge Kudos to Toby at Mild to Wild Rafting! We just wrapped up our Split Mountain rafting trip, and Toby absolutely made it unforgettable. His knowledge of the river, calm confidence, and great sense of humor gave us the perfect mix of safety and fun. From smooth paddling through rapids to pointing out the coolest sights, Toby kept the whole group smiling and engaged the entire way. If you’re heading out with Mild to Wild, request Toby—you won’t be disappointed! Thanks for an epic day on the water!
Simply Incredible!
I6640COjenniferp,
Jul 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Simply incredible! This was my first white water experience and it surpassed all expectations! Our guide was Rob who was a beast, super knowledgeable, safety oriented, and just all around great personality. The first half of the trip was thrilling, the second half was exciting but had a more chill vibe giving time to take pictures and really able to take in all the views and nature. Could not rave more about this experience! Must do again! Thank you!
Very well run business. Guides are excellent and they really teach you how to handle the boat and stay safe.
U8686QFsabrinaw,
Jun 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Corbin was an excellent guide! We had so much fun laughing and enjoying the amazing scenery! We stopped for the lunch and were very impressed by the food that was provided. We will definitely be using this company again for our next adventure.
Lots of fun on the San Miguel
Road35239252118,
Jun 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The whole day trip on the San Miguel was perfect. The first section was a little intimidating, but Ben's expertise kept us out of the water. The bottom section was a little tamer with beautiful scenery. Ben was a great guide, who had to hike up the river to help a fellow raft which had become stuck on a rock. Ben added a bit of goofing off, while maintaining safety at all times. There was a little snafu with the scheduling. We were booked for the previous day, which we did not notice on the confirmation. When we were called about missing the trip, Mild to Wild corrected the error without issue. Thanks Mild to Wild!!
San Miguel river experience
kirsya2015,
May 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was my first time water rafting and the experience was amazing. The crew was very professional. Didn't have any trouble finding the camp. The stop for lunch was appropriate. The only thing I didn't get was the group picture. Definitely will do it again.
Awesome day!
GEL2345,
Jun 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a blast! The river rocks and rolls the whole trip. Our awesome guides, Joe (Bananas) and Corbin were so skilled, knowledgeable and fun that they made the trip exciting but super safe. We laughed and whooped and hollered the whole time. Would use this crew anytime. Highly recommend.
San Miguel River Rafting mid-June
823clarkw,
Jun 20, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing experience rafting down the San Miguel. We were lucky with excellent weather and water levels but Mild2Wild gave us an excellent experience. The start of the trip was easy to find and they gave wetsuits and booties you could walk in to keep you warm. They have new wetsuits and walkable booties so we didn’t need shoes. Trip was tons of fun and our guide Corbin was amazing. He gave us the history of the area and is clearly an experienced guide on this river because his instructions were spot. We stopped for lunch and had chips and sandwiches and got back on the river. All the guides were super friendly and it was overall a great experience. Be aware that this river is undammed so everyone is at the mercy of the snowmelt which determines the water level. There may be times when the river doesn’t have enough water to do a rafting trip. Water levels were perfect mid-June but change all the time and are different every year.
San Miguel River Rafting
Kristean T,
Jun 16, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great trip down the San Miguel with Mild to Wild and Hayden. Lots of fun and laughs! The day went too fast. Would highly recommend this rafting trip especially is a first time rafter.
Fast is fun!
billfA8941QY,
Jun 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My Granddaughter and I have been to class 3 and class 4 rapids so I was expecting a less then exciting run. I was wrong, the San Miguel river is fast and full of twists and turns. The speed and fun was constant! I believe I enjoyed that more than the others. You can also tell your friends” I went 24 miles down a wild river full of mountain snow melt) Worth the drive. And Joe was the best guide on the river. Knew the river better then Jay or Bella.
From $233.17
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Operated by Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours