Kayaking Durango: Lower Animas River Class II & III Rapids

Run Class II and III rapids on your own terms, with guides who know every eddy.

Half-day kayaking on Durango's Lower Animas River with expert guides, inflatable kayaks and all safety gear included. You paddle for 2 hours and 15 minutes through Class II rapids and one Class III rapid called Smelter, Santa Rita and Sawmill, with calmer stretches between. No experience needed. Guides provide instruction and local knowledge. Morning and afternoon departures let you choose the time that fits your day.

The experience

What makes the Lower Animas different from a guided float? You're operating the kayak, reading the current, and choosing your line through the rapids, not watching from a raft. The river holds Class II water for most of the 2 hours and 15 minutes on the water, with one Class III rapid that gets more intense in late summer when flows drop. The named rapids (Smelter, Santa Rita, Sawmill) are the landmarks you navigate, and the calmer stretches between them let you catch your breath and take in the canyon walls around Durango.

The trip runs 3 hours and 45 minutes total, with guides handling the logistics: they provide custom-designed inflatable kayaks, paddles, helmets and Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices, plus splash jackets to keep you dry. A safety orientation and paddle instruction happen before you launch, so beginners leave the shore confident. The guides are in-house trained and speak English, and they know the river well enough to point out what's worth seeing between the rapids.

Morning and afternoon departures give you flexibility to build the rest of your day around the water time. You'll need a moderate level of physical fitness to paddle for over two hours and handle the current, but the river doesn't require prior kayaking experience: the guides meet you where you are.

What’s included

• Expert in-house trained river guides.
• custom-designed inflatable kayaks and paddles.
• helmets and Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices.
• splash jackets.
• safety orientation and paddle instruction.
• local insights from your guide.

Options for this experience

3 options

Half-day morning kayak tripGuide in English · Available from 1 May 2027Lasts 4 hours, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Half-day afternoon kayak tripGuide in English · Available from 1 May 2027Lasts 4 hours, from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Durango half-day kayaking on the Lower Animas River, single kayak, at 12:30 PMGuide in English · Available from 4 Oct 2027From 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 to 98 years) · Under 11: can't be booked

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 19 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the morning departure if you want to paddle early and have the afternoon free, or the afternoon slot if you're building the trip around other morning activities in Durango. Either way, the half-day format fits a single river section without committing your whole day to the water.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How difficult are the rapids on the Lower Animas River?

The Lower Animas holds mostly Class II rapids, which are manageable for beginners with instruction. One Class III rapid, Smelter, is more challenging and gets steeper in late summer when water flows are lower. Your guides will brief you on what to expect before you paddle.

What's included in the kayaking trip?

Inflatable kayaks, paddles, helmets, Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices and splash jackets are all provided. You also get a safety orientation, paddle instruction and the expertise of experienced river guides who share local knowledge during the trip.

Do I need kayaking experience to book this?

No experience is necessary. The guides provide instruction before you launch and stay with you throughout the 2 hours and 15 minutes on the water to help you navigate the rapids and calmer stretches.

Can I choose between morning and afternoon departures?

Yes. Morning and afternoon half-day trips are both available, so you can pick the time that works best with the rest of your Durango itinerary.

How long is the whole trip, and how much time is actually on the water?

The trip lasts 3 hours and 45 minutes round trip. You'll spend 2 hours and 15 minutes paddling on the Lower Animas River, with the rest of the time for gear setup, instruction and the shuttle back.