Shoshone Rafting in Glenwood Springs: Class II–III Rapids
Class II–III rapids bring the splash without overwhelming first-timers and families.
Half-day whitewater rafting on the Shoshone stretch of the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs, where dramatic canyon walls frame a mix of lively rapids and calm scenic sections. The trip runs about 2.5 hours and includes a live guide, life jacket, splash jacket and river booties. Children from age 7 are welcome, and the rapids are designed to give first-time rafters and families a balanced introduction to whitewater without being too intense.
The Experience
The Shoshone section sits just minutes from downtown Glenwood Springs and about 40 minutes from Vail and Beaver Creek, so you can be on the water without a long drive. The Colorado River here cuts through Glenwood Canyon with dramatic walls rising around you, and the Class III rapids deliver genuine splash and momentum without the commitment of a full-day run or the intensity of harder sections. Between the splashy drops are stretches of calm water where the scenery takes over—the canyon walls, the river itself, the way the light hits the rock.
You'll wear a life jacket, splash jacket and river booties from the start, and a live guide leads the group through the rapids and points out the canyon as you float. The half-day format means you're on the water for roughly 2.5 hours, which is long enough to feel like a real river trip but short enough to fit into a morning or afternoon without eating your whole day. First-time rafters, families with kids from age 7, and anyone who wants to step beyond a mellow float find the balance here—enough current and whitewater to feel like you're doing something, enough calm sections to catch your breath and look around.
What’s included
- Life jacket, splash jacket and river booties.
- live guide in English.
- access to the Shoshone stretch of the Colorado River with Class II–III rapids and scenic canyon sections.
Operated by Glenwood Adventure Company
Is this one for you?The half-day format and Class II–III rapids mean you get genuine whitewater and canyon scenery without committing a full day or tackling harder sections—a solid fit for first-timers, families with kids from age 7, and anyone who wants a balanced mix of splash and float.
Traveler reviews
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Top questions
What are the Class II–III rapids like on the Shoshone stretch?
The Shoshone rapids are lively and splashy without being overwhelming—they bring plenty of water over the boat and genuine momentum, but they're designed to be approachable for first-timers and families. The section balances these drops with calm scenic floats through Glenwood Canyon, so you get both the rush and the scenery in one half-day.
How far is the Shoshone rafting from Vail and Beaver Creek?
The Shoshone section is about 40 minutes from Vail and Beaver Creek, and just minutes from downtown Glenwood Springs, so it's an easy drive from either ski area or from town.
What's included with the half-day rafting trip?
Life jacket, splash jacket and river booties are provided; a live guide in English leads the group through the rapids and the canyon. The guide is included in the booking.
Can children do this rafting trip?
Children are welcome from age 7 and up. The Class II–III rapids and the half-day format make this a good introduction to whitewater for families, and the guide is there to help the whole group navigate the water.
How long does the half-day Shoshone rafting take?
The trip runs about 2.5 hours on the water, which fits into a morning or afternoon without taking up your whole day.
What's the minimum weight requirement for this rafting trip?
The minimum weight required is 50 pounds, so younger children need to meet that threshold to participate.
Shoshone Rafting in Glenwood Springs: Class II–III Rapids
2h 30m · EN
from US$ 85 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.9058 reviews
