Durango Lower Animas River Rafting: Class II & III Rapids

Four hours on the water, soaking through Class II and one Class III rapid.

A full-day rafting trip on the Lower Animas River in Durango puts you in a self-bailing raft with a professional guide for about 4 hours of paddling through whitewater and flat stretches. Life jacket, helmet, splash jacket and riverside lunch are included. You choose whether to paddle or sit back and let the guide handle the current. Children from age 4 are welcome, and the rapids vary with the season: spring brings higher flows, summer lower ones.

The experience

The day starts with a safety orientation and paddle instruction before you push off into the Lower Animas River. You'll spend roughly 4 hours on the water, moving through the heart of Durango and downstream to the edge of town. The raft carries you through plenty of Class II rapids that soak everyone head to toe, plus one Class III that brings the real intensity. Your guide reads the water and calls the line. You paddle when they say to paddle, or you can sit back and watch the canyon walls pass if that's your preference for the day.

Halfway through, you pull ashore for a riverside lunch made by a local bakery: the kind of stop that breaks up the rhythm and lets you dry out a bit before heading back into the current. The guides are trained in-house and know how to keep things moving without rushing. The ratio of guides to guests stays low enough that someone actually notices if you're struggling with the paddle or want to know what that rock formation is. All the gear (raft, paddles, helmets, Coast Guard-approved life jackets, splash jackets for chilly water) comes with you. Wetsuits and boots can be rented separately if the season calls for them.

Water levels shift with the season, so the rapids you encounter in spring (when flows run high) will feel different from a summer run. The trip works for anyone, regardless of fitness level, because paddling is optional and the guide does the real work of steering. Free parking, changing rooms and a shop for anything you forgot round out the logistics.

What’s included

• Riverside deli-style lunch from a local bakery.
• professional river guide trained in-house.
• safety orientation and paddle instruction.
• self-bailing raft and paddles.
• Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device and helmet.
• splash jacket.
• free parking and changing rooms.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Youth (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 200

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.

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to paddle actively or float passively, you choose your effort level, and can commit a full day from morning or afternoon start.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

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 much time do I actually spend paddling on the Lower Animas River?

You're on the water for about 4 hours total, with a lunch break halfway through. That includes the Class II rapids and the one Class III, plus any flat stretches between them.

Can I go rafting if I've never paddled before?

Yes. The guides give a safety orientation and paddle instruction before you launch, and paddling is optional. You can sit in the raft and let your guide navigate if you'd rather watch the rapids happen than paddle through them.

What's the difference between the Class II and Class III rapids on this stretch?

Class II rapids are moderate whitewater that usually soak everyone in the raft. The single Class III rapid is more intense and technical. Both are manageable with a guide, and the exact size of the rapids varies by season: spring water levels run higher and make them bigger than summer runs.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food are we talking about?

Yes, a riverside deli-style lunch from a local bakery is included and served halfway through the trip. It's the kind of break that lets you dry out and refuel before heading back into the current.

What happens if the water is really cold?

Splash jackets are included as standard, and wetsuits and boots are available to rent for $15 if the season or water temperature calls for extra protection.