Durango: Lower Animas River Rafting Trip with Rapids & Shuttle

Summary

Lower Animas rafting mixes wild splashes with quiet river calm

You’ll feel both excitement and calm as you raft Durango’s Lower Animas River with a local guide—expect splashes from Class II & III rapids, quick safety tips before you start, stories about the area, and all your gear sorted for you. The memory of those wild rapids will probably stick around longer than you expect.

What’s the experience like?

I’d always wondered if rafting in Durango was just for the hard-core folks, but after this Lower Animas River trip, I get why people keep coming back. There’s this weird mix of nerves and excitement when you’re pulling on a slightly damp life jacket (they smell a little like sunblock and river water), and our guide, Jamie, cracked a joke about “fashion-forward helmets.” I liked that she didn’t take herself too seriously. The shuttle ride to the river was short—just enough time for Jamie to point out where the old railroad used to run and tell us about spring flows making things extra splashy. I think I gripped my paddle tighter than necessary at first.

The first rapids were Class II, which Jamie called “friendly,” but honestly, they surprised me—I got a face full of cold water right away. My nephew squealed so loud a couple of kayakers looked over grinning. There’s this earthy smell along the banks—wet cottonwoods, maybe?—and sunlight flickered off the water in these quick flashes. When we hit Smelter Whitewater Park (the big Class III), everyone in our raft yelled at once. It was loud and messy and kind of perfect. I definitely swallowed some river water there, not gonna lie.

Between rapids, it got quiet for a bit. You could hear birds and the distant hum of traffic from town, but mostly just paddles dipping in sync. Jamie told us how late summer trips mean more rocks to dodge—which sounded tricky but fun in its own way. We finished up soaked and laughing, then piled back into the shuttle still dripping. It’s funny how fast an hour goes when you’re half nervous, half thrilled the whole time. I still think about that last big splash at Smelter—it sort of sticks with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lower Animas River rafting adventure

• Meet at Durango Office
• Get fitted with life jacket and helmet
• Shuttle to the river
• Attend safety orientation
• Raft through Class II rapids
• Navigate Class III rapid at Smelter Park
• Take out and load boats
• Shuttle back to Durango Office

Top questions

How long does the Lower Animas River rafting trip last?

The rafting portion lasts about one hour, plus shuttle time.

Are children allowed on this Durango rafting tour?

Yes, kids ages 4 and up can join this trip.

What class are the rapids on this section?

You’ll go through mostly Class II rapids with one Class III at Smelter Whitewater Park.

Is equipment provided for the rafting trip?

Yes, life jackets, helmets, splash jackets (if wanted), and well-maintained rafts are included.

Do I need previous rafting experience?

No experience is needed; guides give safety orientation and instructions before starting.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at the main Durango office before shuttling to the river put-in.

Is transportation included?

A round-trip shuttle between the office and river is included.

Are wetsuits available?

You can rent wetsuits and booties—these are recommended through June when it’s colder.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting at the Durango office with free parking, all needed river gear like life jackets and helmets (plus wetsuits if it’s chilly), a pre-trip safety orientation from experienced guides who know every bend in the Lower Animas River, round-trip shuttle transport to and from the river access point, all land and river access fees covered—and plenty of laughs along with local stories as you paddle or float downstream together.