Best Idaho Springs Rafting Tours - Our Top 11

1.Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 284 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $70Our pick

Raft several miles of family-friendly Clear Creek whitewater from Empire, Colorado, with gear, a safety lesson, shuttle transport, and guide-led paddling. Guides such as Johnny, Brian, Kurt, and Sarah have helped first-timers feel at ease. Expect cold water, Class II rapids, and possibly one Class III rapid.

“We had the best time ever!!! Our guide Bryan was fantastic and everyone who we encountered that worked there were friendly and helpful!!!”

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2.Clear Creek Intermediate Whitewater Rafting near Denver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 234 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $87

Meet Downstream Adventures in Empire, gear up, learn river safety, then paddle about seven miles through Clear Creek Canyon with a qualified guide. The intermediate run suits confident beginners and rafters aged 13 and up. Expect about 3 hours total, including shuttle rides, instruction, and roughly 1.5 to 2 hours on the water.

“Great guide, Kurt, checkin easy and pleasent. Rafting a fun time. Good equipment. Booking stayed 3 hours, transportation to and from launch site and pick up, rafting was only 2 hours. Disappointed to pay this fee and not meet the advertised experience for time.”

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3.Upper Clear Creek Half-Day Whitewater Rafting from Idaho Springs

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 32 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $93

Paddle eight miles of steep Clear Creek rapids from Idaho Springs, including Nomad, Phoenix Holes, and Outer Limits. You get a driver-guide, wetsuit, splash jacket, helmet, and a chance to spot bighorn sheep and river otters. Minimum age is 15.

“Great family fun thought it would be a bit more intense. Although plenty of exciting rapids great guides”

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4.Clear Creek Gold Rush Whitewater Rafting from Idaho Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $71

Raft Clear Creek near Idaho Springs for about three hours on beginner-friendly Class II to III rapids. Your guide handles river safety and coaching while you pass Argo Mill, Bridal Veil Falls, and Mount Blue Sky. Wetsuit, splash jacket, helmet, and a mobile ticket are included.

“Get time on the river , good guide too . The group inside running the pictures and selling merchandise, were a little unorganized, charge me twice for one picture!”

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5.Clear Creek Intermediate 2h 30m Rafting Trip – Idaho Springs, CO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

Paddle through continuous Class III and IV rapids on a 2.5-hour Clear Creek trip from Idaho Springs. Guides such as Micah, Kayla, Toby, and Jonathan lead small groups of up to 10, with wetsuits, helmets, splash jackets, and safety instruction included.

“All the crew from mile to wild was very professional. Our guide Micah was awesome. We always felt safe and had a lot of fun. It was a great family experience that I would highly recommend!”

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6.Clear Creek Classic 2h 30m Rafting Trip – Idaho Springs, CO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $82

Paddle 1.5 to 2 hours through Clear Creek Canyon on a beginner-friendly Class II to III rafting trip near Idaho Springs. Your guide provides instruction, safety gear, a wetsuit, and a hands-on ride past the Argo Mill and Bridal Veil Falls. Guide Bella has earned special praise for her friendly leadership.

“Friendly staff. Our guide Bella was outstanding. Parking is a bit challenging so be sure to get there early.”

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7.Whitewater Raft Clear Creek – Intermediate Cannonball Run

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $97

Paddle Clear Creek with a certified guide on a three-hour intermediate run through more than a dozen class III and IV rapids. You’ll work as a team through Nomad, Fall River, Phoenix, Deliverance, and Outer Limits. First-timers are welcome, but you need active participation, moderate fitness, and the ability to swim.

“I took my grandkids with me and it was all our first time and Connor was our guide and he was excellent he made it fun I'd recommend them to anybody”

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8.Upper Clear Creek Whitewater Rafting plus Cliffside Zipline from Idaho Springs

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · from $199

Start with six ziplines over Clear Creek Valley, then take a 45-minute lunch break before rafting eight miles of class IV rapids. Tim, Joh, and Enrique are among the guides associated with this experience. Expect gear, safety instruction, and a small group of up to 10.

“Tim and Joh made our experience safe and very fun. Both guys are awesome at what they do! We will be back! We rafted with Enrique and he was awesome. The lessons he gave us before we got in the water helped us immensely once we got in the river. He made our experience very fun as well!”

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9.Advanced Whitewater Rafting in Clear Creek Canyon near Denver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $120

Take on an advanced Clear Creek rafting run from Idaho Springs with guides Russell and Luke, plus safety kayaker Jacob. You get a wetsuit, splash jacket, helmet, paddle, and PFD, along with transport to the creek and back.

“Our guide Russel with the help of Luke and our safety Kayaker Jacob were excellent ! We had the best rafting trip ever on the advanced run. Water was amazing and they were all highly skilled and would recommend them to anyone .”

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10.Idaho Springs: Clear Creek Whitewater Rafting for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 15 reviews · 3 hours · from $125

You’ll paddle Clear Creek with certified guides such as Ness, Lily R., and Em, handling class II and III rapids before floating past Idaho Springs landmarks, including the Argo Gold Mine and Charlie Taylor waterwheel. The three-hour trip includes safety gear, permits, taxes, and transport back to the center.

“We had an incredible white water rafting adventure with Ness as our guide! She was fun, knowledgeable, and made sure everyone felt safe and confident the whole time. The rapids were exciting, the views were stunning, and the energy of the entire guide team made the trip unforgettable. Highly recommend this experience!”

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11.Clear Creek Whitewater Raft near Denver: Splashy Fun for Families

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $86

You’ll raft six miles of Clear Creek near Idaho Springs with a certified guide, paddling through Class II and III rapids, calm stretches, and historic mining scenery. The trip lasts about two and a half hours, includes gear and shuttle transport, and suits first-time rafters, families, and groups of up to seven.

“The company was very knowledgeable and accommodating to our family members. Everything was explained so the family felt comfortable with the experience. We had a blast.”

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