Rafting - Aspen Whitewater

About Aspen Whitewater Rafting

Aspen Whitewater Rafting is owned and operated by longtime local guides with over 75 years of combined experience. They offer exhilarating whitewater rafting and inflatable kayak (ducky) adventures with personalized service amidst breathtaking natural scenery on both the Roaring Fork and Arkansas Rivers. The company runs a variety of river trips, from mild class II / III perfect for families and new rafters, to invigorating adventurous class-IV/V whitewater, mindful of the ultimate guest experience. They provide top-notch service, new equipment, delicious riverside buffet lunches and all necessary river gear needed.

Rafting Trips

Slaughter House Falls

Slaughterhouse is the premier whitewater run of the Roaring Fork Valley, and is a MUST DO for adventuresome rafters.

Just a five-minute drive from Aspen, this run is action packed from start to finish, leaving you with an adrenaline rush that will last you through the night! With infamous rapids such as Entrance Exam, Slaughterhouse Falls, and Hell’s Half Mile stacked one after the other, you will be begging for a break! Experience recommended but not required.

Min. Age:	15 years old
Length:	1/2 Day / 6 miles
Season:	May through July
2011 rates:	$83 per person
Location:	Roaring Fork River
Time:	AM Trip: 9:30 PM Trip 2:00 pm
Classification:	Class IV Advanced

Upper Roaring Fork River

The Upper Roaring Fork through the Woody Creek Canyon is a half day whirlwind of continuous class III whitewater perfect for beginners and intermediate rafters alike. The first half of the trip takes you through the beautiful Woody Creek Canyon with a backdrop of looming red stone cliffs. The second half of the trip picks up through Snowmass Canyon where you will confront Toothache, Sledgehammer, and many more challenging rapids.

 

Min. Age:	8 years old
Length:	1/2 Day - 10 miles
Season:	May through July
2011 rates:	Adult $79, Child 12 & under $69.
Location:	Roaring Fork River
Time:	AM Trip: 9:00 am PM Trip 1:30 pm
Classification:	Class III intermediate

Middle Roaring Fork

This class II-III section is ideal for families with younger children, or for those who are just not sure about diving into serious whitewater. There are just enough rapids to give people a taste of easy whitewater, while offering ample time to relax and take in the towering red rock cliffs, and the amazing views of Mt. Sopris. The float begins in the stunning Snowmass Canyon just upstream of the quaint town of Basalt. You will navigate Class II wave trains and a few pool drop Class III rapids on your way through Snowmass Canyon and on past Basalt. Don't miss the awesome scenery and excellent introduction to whitewater rafting!

Min. Age:	6 years old
Length:	1/2 day - 8 miles
Season:	May through September
2011 rates:	Adult $79, Child 12 & under $69
Location:	Roaring Fork River
Time:	AM Trip: 9 a.m. PM Trip: 1:30 p.m.
Classification:	Class II - III Beginner

Cemetery

A wonderful beginner trip designed for families or those not yet sure about rapids. The entire trip is in the shadow of 12,953 foot Mt. Sopris. This is a class II trip with one class III rapid called Cemetary, just enought excitement for first timers and families with small children. From Aspen it is a 30 minutes drive to Carbondale where we put in. A snack is included.

Min. Age:	6 years old
Length:	1/2 Day - 12 miles
Season:	May through September
2011 rates:	$79 Adult; $69 Child
Location:	Roaring Fork River
Time:	AM Trip: 9 a.m. PM Trip: 1:30 p.m.
Classification:	Class II - III Beginner

Pine Creek / Numbers

This is the uppermost raftable section of the Arkansas River and offers outstanding whitewater and breathtaking scenery. We put-in in the tiny town of Granite, Colorado and get warmed up with Class III/IV rapids in the spectacular Granite Gorge. Then comes the Class V Pine Creek section where the river narrows and the serious whitewater begins! We scout this section and walking around the Class V section is an option. After Pine Creek is the Numbers section that is technical and continuous Class IV water amongst intriguing granite boulders. This is some of the best whitewater Colorado has to offer, so come experience it for yourself!

Min. Age:	18 years old
Length:	3/4 Day - 10 miles
Season:	June through August
2011 rates:	Adult $112
Location:	Arkansas River
Time:	Snowmass: 8:00 am
Classification:	Class IV - V advanced

Numbers

For those not yet ready for Class V, or who have limited time, we offer a 1/2 day trip on the Numbers section. This run offers continuous and exciting whitewater for its entire 9 mile length. While there will be some time to soak in the views of the 14,000 foot mountains and surrounding granite formations, you will also have plenty of whitewater action! Come raft world- class whitewater in the morning, and be back in Aspen in time for an afternoon hike or lunch date.

Min. Age:	15 years old
Length:	1/2 Day - 9 miles
Season:	June - August
2011 rates:	$99 per person
Location:	Arkansas River
Time:	AM Trip: 8 a.m. PM Trip: 2 p.m.
Classification:	Class IV rapids

Fractions

This half-day class III section offers a classic Colorado whitewater experience for families and groups. Experience this scenic Arkansas River run with technical and continuous Class III whitewater that offers plenty of excitement for all abilities. Under the backdrop of the 14,000 ft. Collegiate range we paddle through rapids like The Miracle Mile, Funnel, Beaver Falls, and House Rock.

Min. Age:	8 years old
Length:	1/2 day - 8 miles
Season:	June through August
2011 rates:	Adult $95; Child $85
Location:	Arkansas River
Time:	AM Trip: 8:00 am PM Trip: 12:00 pm
Classification:	Class III rapids

Brown

This is the quintessential whitewater run in Colorado, so don't miss it! Numerous Class III rapids offer plenty of excitement for beginner to advanced rafters. The float into the canyon takes us past the awesome Collegiate Peaks (many above 14,000 feet), and the take-out gives us views of the Sangre De Cristo range. While in the canyon, you will run countless exciting rapids including Zoom Flume, Staircase, and Canyon Doors. Amidst all this whitewater, don't forget to take the time to enjoy the scenery, and you will be rewarded by impressive granite formations, and perhaps a bighorn sheep or two. You will stop somewhere in the canyon to have a gourmet, riverside lunch. We serve a great sandwhich buffet, so everyone can eat just the sandwhich they want.

Min. Age:	8 years old
Length:	Full day - 16 miles
Season:	June through August
2011 rates:	Adult $99; Child $89
Location:	Arkansas River
Time:	8:30 am
Classification:	Class III rapids

Ducky Trips

For anyone looking to get a little wetter than you traditionally do in a raft, inflatable kayaking is the thing to do! Each person will have their own inflatable kayak, and there will be one or two guides per group. This sport is for self-sufficient people who like to control their own destinies. We can also combine raft and ducky trips for families or groups of friends with mixed interests.

The Basalt Mountain section is ideal for ducky trips. The rapids are pool drop, so there is plenty of time to pick up the pieces at the bottom of the rapids! There are fun and challenging rapids for the adventurous duckier, but these rapids are also easily portaged by those who are just learning. Kids under 15 may need to ride in a Ducky with an adult.

Min. Age:	8 years old
Length:	1/2 day - 8 miles
Season:	May through September
2011 rates:	Adult $85
Location:	Roaring Fork River
Time:	AM Trip: 9:00 am PM Trip: 1:30 pm
Classification:	Class II - III rapids

Rapid Classification Table

Class I Rapid:	Your bath tub
Class II Rapid:	Mild. Predictable, smaller rapids. Great for younger families.
Class III Rapid:	Moderate. Larger, more irregular rapids. Wet passengers and energetic paddling to be expected. Most clients will take a Class III trip.
Class IV Rapid:	Wild. Long and unpredictable rapids, following in immediate succession.
Class V Rapid:	Extreme. This is the edge. Only experienced paddlers

What to Wear & Bring

We suggest wearing quick-drying clothing such as non-cotton shorts and t-shirt and/or a bathing suit. Also important are sunscreen (you will be rafting at nearly 9,000 feet where the sun is intense!), sunglasses with retaining device, waterproof camera, and old sneakers or sandals with a heal strap. Bring a towel to dry off with and a change of clothes for your ride home.

We provide splash gear on all of our trips, and wetsuit, helmet, and wetsuit booties when appropriate.

Reservations

Book your rafting trip today by calling one of our vacation specialist or through the online booking engine.