Clear Creek River Rafting​

Clear Creek River Rafting​

From calm & cooling to wet & wild

Wildlife sightings

Bighorn sheep, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and more call this place home.

Welcome to the splash zone

Our friendly guides know how to get the whole family soaked and smiling.

Just the right amount of adventure

Our beginner trip offers family-friendly (ages 5+) whitewater rafting with Class II-III rapids, while the intermediate trips offer Class II-IV for our more experienced rafters (ages 15+).

Rafting trips for all levels in Idaho Springs

You’ll find some of the best white water near Denver in Idaho Springs, just 45 minutes from downtown. Clear Creek rafting trips are great for all levels of rafters. Whether this is your first time on the river and you’re looking for a gentle yet fun introduction, or you’re looking for waves you can tell your buddies about for years to come, Clear Creek white water rafting will deliver. With one third day and full-day trips so close to Denver, enjoy the best of what Colorado has to offer!

What to expect

Beginner Trip Details

If you’re looking for an adventure your whole family can enjoy, this is the trip for you. Known as our Gold Rush Tour, this Lower Clear Creek river rafting trip is packed with fun class II and III rapids. This one-third day Clear Creek white water rafting trip is perfect for families and groups with young children, and for those a little bit more cautious when it comes to outdoor adventures.  

Your kids will laugh as they paddle through rapids that get them wet but don’t offer too much challenge. Here you can fully soak in your surroundings. Look down to find trout in the river, or up to catch a glimpse of deer and majestic bighorn sheep.

Here’s what you should know about our Lower Clear Creek trip:

  • Great for beginners, families, and groups
  • Class II-III rapids
  • Minimum age & weight: 5 years & 50 pounds
    (varies by trip and river level)
  • 1/3-day trip

Intermediate Trip Details

You’ll find thrilling rapids on our Upper Clear Creek white water rafting trips. We offer half-day or ¾-day trips packed with white water that will satisfy even the biggest adrenaline-junkie.

The ¾-day trip allows for a short warm up on class II and III rapids as you settle into the river. After these smaller rapids, you’ll enjoy a hot BBQ lunch before jumping into the hard part. You’ll splash right into a class IV rapid that requires technical moves as it quickly drops. This class IV is where the half-day actually begins, so you’ll get your heart rate pumping whichever option you choose!

Here are the details for our Upper Clear Creek trips:

  • Adventure rafting
  • Guests should be in good physical condition
  • Class II-IV rapids
  • Minimum age 15 years (varies by trip and river level)
  • Half-day trip (9 miles)
  • ¾-day trip (15 miles)

Beginner Trips

  • One Third Day $69

    Adults (ages 12+): Gold Rush section of Lower Clear Creek

  • One Third Day $64

    Children (ages 5-11): Gold Rush section of Lower Clear Creek

Intermediate Trips

Rafting near Denver

Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Clear Creek runs parallel to Interstate 70, but what it lacks in wilderness feel is more than made up by the frequency of rapids.  Clear Creek rafting trips offer you the opportunity to unwind, unplug, and have an amazing time with family, friends, or coworkers. With one third day and full-day trips so close to Denver, get out and enjoy the best of what Colorado has to offer!

Clear Creek rafting trips are best enjoyed during the month of June when snow melt is flowing quickly from the mountains. If your plans find you in Colorado later than that, consider making the drive to the Cañon City area where Bighorn Sheep Canyon and the Royal Gorge trips offer reliably exciting white water from early to late summer!

Family and First Time Rafting Add-Ons & Packages

Add to your family’s adventure with any of these options!

Raft-n-Rail®

Combine a river rafting trip with a Royal Gorge train ride. After your morning white water adventure, we’ll shuttle you back to Echo Canyon where you can relax and energize as you prepare for an afternoon Royal Gorge Train ride.

Explore this adventure »
Royal Gorge North Rim View

Raft-n-Bridge

Take in the views on-and-off the river by combining your family-friendly Bighorn Sheep Canyon rafting trip with North America’s highest suspension bridge sitting high above the Royal Gorge.

Explore this adventure »

Adventures Out West Zipline Tour

For the best Colorado zip line experience, you can depend on Echo Canyon River Expeditions. We partner with what we think is the best ziplining experience in Colorado, where you’ll find yourself zipping through some of the most beautiful Rocky Mountain scenery.

Explore this adventure »