We had a WONDERFUL rafting trip with this company this week! My husband and I took our 3 girls ages 9, 8, and 5 and they all had a blast! The water is cold and the views are amazing! Our guide was funny and had lots of good info about the area and Colorado River. We were staying in Breckenridge and this was a quick drive for us and totally worth it. When we return to Colorado we will be booking through this company again for sure!
Upper Colorado River Inflatable Kayak Trip
Beginner level
Ages 13+ welcome
Half-day and full-day tours
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 half-day or full-day 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 rafts 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
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
Great staff, fun rafting experience, guides are super knowledgeable and make things fun while keeping everything safe. Lots of cool views as well as a fun visit to a hot spring and cliff jump into the Colorado river! Next time I’m in Colorado would definitely visit again.
Great outfitters for our river adventure during our family reunion in Granby. Friendly, helpful, great equipment, corny jokes, good instruction, and very responsive to our teens and tweens letting them lead and get a feel for dealing with whitewater. The littles were safe and the big kids had a great time. The cliff jumping was a highlight for those that jumped and the rest of us who watched.
