Upper Colorado River Inflatable Kayak Trip

Beginner level

Ages 13+ welcome

Half-day tour

Add a splash of adventures to your Upper Colorado River trip! Inflatable kayaking down the headwaters of the Colorado River near Rocky Mountain National Park is an exciting way to experience this whitewater gem. Participants will navigate the river in either solo or tandem inflatable kayak while a certified raft guide leads the way. Inflatable Kayaks will accompany our rafting trips down the river, so part of your group can opt to float the river in rafts by booking a rafting trip scheduled for the same time, while other members of the group can paddle along in I.K.s. Previous paddling experience is recommended.

Highlights

Enjoy top-of-the-line equipment, including a wetsuit and splash jacket — all included in the tour price

Exciting adventure on beginner-friendly rapids

Paddle your own vessel with the guidance of our certified and experience raft guides

Price

Solo kayak – $93

Tandem kayak – $ 186


Difficulty

Beginner level – Class II(III) rapid

*water level can impact level of difficulty


Departure times

Half-day: Every day at 8:30 AM and 12:30 PM

Full-Day: Weekdays at 8:30 AM


Meeting point

Downstream Adventures  – Upper Colorado River Outpost (Formerly Adventures in Whitewater)
200 W. Park Ave
Kremmling, CO 80459


Starting & ending points

Put in at Pumphouse Recreation Site, Kremmling, CO
Take out at Radium Recreation Site, Bond, CO


Availability

Late May until mid-September


Duration

Half-day: 4 hours total (usually between 1.5 and 2 hours on the water)

Full-Day: 6 hours total


Participation requirements

Participants must be at least 13 years old to paddle solo, or at least 8 years old to paddle in a tandem


Included

  •  Transportation from our outpost to the river and back
  • Excellent white water crafts and safety equipment
  • Wetsuit and splash jacket if necessary
  • Custom-fit PFD (personal flotation device or life jacket)
  • Helmet if necessary
  • Dry bag for necessary items like medication

Note: Neoprene bootie rentals are available for $5 per person.


What to bring

  • Swimsuit or non-cotton shorts
  • Shoes that can get wet and stay on your feet (tennis shoes or sport sandals are great)
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat and Sunglasses are nice to have
  • Dry change of clothes for after the trip
  • Your excitement and enthusiasm!

For more information, check out our recommendations on rafting safety & basics.


About your guide

One of our certified and highly trained river guides will accompany you on your Upper Colorado River rafting tour. Read more about our guides!

 

DON’T FLOAT THE MAINSTREAM

Aerial view of the upper colorado river full day tour

Step away from the beaten path and check out what Colorado has to offer. This trip begins at Pumphouse campgrounds and flows downstream 5.5 miles through several class I-II rapids and an exciting class III rapid. This run casts a unique backdrop and is a favorite among commercial and private boaters alike. The “Upper-C” is a true gem of the Colorado Rockies.

 

UPPER COLORADO RIVER: HEADWATERS OF THE MIGHT COLORADO RIVER!

The Mighty Upper Colorado starts high in the Rocky Mountains, west of Rocky Mountain National Park, and meanders through breathtaking landscapes of valleys and canyons. If you’re a beginner or seeking a relaxing and scenic float trip, this stretch of water is perfect for you.

Good to Know


Why Upper Colorado River Inflatable Kayaking?
The Upper Colorado River is a wild and scenic river and breathtaking vistas are in abundance on this stretch of water. This is considered one of the most popular family floats in Colorado.

Our location
Downstream Adventures’ Kremmling Outpost is nestled in the heart of the Colorado Rockies less than an hour from Winter Park, Grandby, Estes Park, Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Steamboat Springs. The views along the drive are nearly as stunning as what you will experience on the river!

What you’ll see
The Upper Colorado River is a place of stunning beauty. Rich with natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife, the Upper C is a nature lover’s paradise. Keep an eye peeled for deer, big-horn sheep, pronghorn, elk, moose, bear, otters, bald eagles, and many other migratory birds.

Qualifications of our guides
At Downstream Adventures, we guarantee that all of our guides are highly qualified and experienced. Each guide has been certified in CPR/first aid and trained in life-saving swiftwater rescue techniques, and that’s just our minimum requirement! All of our full-time guides have surpassed the highest level of guide qualification recognized by the state of Colorado (level 3).

Safety
Our guides are some of the most experienced in Colorado and are skilled in Swift-Water Rescue and precision boat control. Of course, you are entering a wild and natural environment and there are risks involved, but we at Downstream Adventures take great pride in making trip safety our top priority.

Check out what our guests are saying


Check out our other trips!


Happy guests rafting the upper colorado river
Happy guests rafting the upper colorado river
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