Whitewater Rafting on the Blue River | AVA Rafting
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Blue River Rafting, Breckenridge Colorado

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The Best of the Blue

The Blue River, a tributary of the mighty Colorado River, is a lesser-known Colorado gem. Beginning its journey in the mountains near Breckenridge and Frisco, it courses through high alpine scenery, rich green forests, and expansive ranchlands before merging with the Colorado River. Its crystal-clear waters are home to abundant trout, making it a paradise for fly-fishing enthusiasts, and beyond its banks, the Blue River Trail welcomes hikers and bikers to experience the surrounding beauty up-close.

The Blue River’s flow also powers recreational activities such as whitewater rafting and kayaking, offering thrilling ways to appreciate its beauty. Its stretch near Silverthorne, Colorado offers the closest Rafting to Breckenridge, Keystone and Frisco with incredible scenery of the Gore Range mountains. If you are visiting central Colorado, consider a Blue River rafting trip for an exciting whitewater excursion perfect for families, first-timers and those looking for a shorter adventure.

Our Trending Blue River and Nearby Trips

  • THE BLUE RIVER EXPRESS

  • LOCATION: Silverthorne, CO VIEW MAP
    ACTIVITIES: Whitewater Rafting Colorado
    DURATION: 1/3 Day
    DIFFICULTY: Level 3 (moderate)
    RIVER RATING: Class III
    MINIMUM AGE: 8 years old
    PRICE: rom $99 Ages 13+
    from $94 Ages 5-12

  • 1/2 DAY SCENIC FLOAT TRIP

  • LOCATION: Kremmling, CO VIEW MAP
    ACTIVITIES: Whitewater Rafting Colorado
    DURATION: 1/2 Day
    DIFFICULTY: Level 2 (mild)
    RIVER RATING: Class II
    MINIMUM AGE: 2 years old
    PRICE: from $89-$99 Ages 13+
    from $64-$74 Ages 2-12

  • BROWN'S CANYON 1/2 DAY

  • LOCATION: Buena Vista, CO VIEW MAP
    ACTIVITIES: Whitewater Rafting Colorado
    DURATION: 1/2 Day
    DIFFICULTY: Level 4 (moderate)
    RIVER RATING: Class III
    MINIMUM AGE: 7 years old
    PRICE: from $94 Ages 13+
    from $89 Ages 7-12

Whitewater Rafting on the Blue River

The Blue River is home to incredible views of the Gore Range, family-friendly whitewater rafting and world-class fly fishing. Whether you are looking for a trip for the kids or a classic Colorado thrill, the Blue River offers a unique rafting experience amidst beautiful scenery!

The Blue River Express 1/3 day rafting trip includes intermediate class III whitewater rapids perfect for families or first-timers. Because this whitewater river trip is short, it is also great for those on a tight schedule or just wanting a taste of Whitewater Rafting in Colorado. This river trip takes places north of Silverthorne, not far from Breckenridge and Frisco. Here, rugged ranchland meets the Gore Range, with a line of craggy peaks jutting sharply into the blue Colorado sky. Be sure to bring your waterproof camera to capture the area’s startling scenery!

This trip is highly dependent on water flows as the river is released from Lake Dillon, and it takes the perfect combination of water levels, river conditions, and luck to be able to run this trip. For this reason, we are excited to offer this trip for the first time in 3 years!! The Blue River is finally high enough to be runnable, reaching adequate water levels.

A little over an hour away in Buena Vista, we additionally offer a wide variety of Rafting experiences on the Arkansas River. Our 1/2 day Browns Canyon trip takes you on an exciting ride on class III rapids through Browns Canyon National Monument, while our Numbers 1/2 day trip amps up the excitement with 6 miles of class III-V rapids. Check out all of our Buena Vista activities here!

About 35 minutes south of our Blue River location, in Breckenridge, we offer Bike Rentals, making exploring Summit County fun and easy!

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AVA and the Blue River

The Beautiful Blue

The Blue River is a tributary of the Colorado River, springing from the peaks near Breckenridge and weaving its way through a tapestry of stunning alpine landscapes, forests, and ranchland. Renowned for its crystal-clear waters teeming with trout, it serves as an angler's paradise and a hotspot for whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, and biking.

AVA's Blue River Location

Our Blue River Express trip meets just 10 miles north of Silverthorne on CO-9 between mile markers 111 and 112. You will meet your guide and get geared up right next to the Blue River. The Blue River rafting trip is just about 24 miles from Breckenridge and 77 miles from Denver.

Other Outdoor Opportunities

South of the Blue River, in Breckenridge, AVA offers opportunities to rent bikes, including E-bikes, leisure and gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and juniors bikes. Our Buena Vista and Idaho Springs outposts also host a multitude of rafting trips for all levels and thrill seekers, alongside exciting aerial adventures, including zipline and Via Ferrata courses!

Your Packing list

For your Blue River trip, be sure to wear clothes of quick drying material - it is best to avoid cotton altogether. Wear shoes that can get wet, but that also remain secure to your feet. Crocs and flip flops are not permitted. The water is snowmelt, so no matter how hot it is outside, the water will be cold. Many people prefer to bring or wear wool or waterproof socks.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Blue River

  • When can I raft on the Blue River?

    The Blue River is fed mostly by snowmelt, which means the season can vary based on amount of snow and when the snow fell. Typically, the Blue River runs best for rafting from May through July.

  • How far away is the Blue River?

    The put-in for our Blue River rafting trips is located about 1.5 hours from Denver, just a few minutes north of the town of Silverthorne. It is about a half hour north from Breckenridge and 25 minutes from Frisco.

  • When is the best time for rafting on the Blue River?

    While you can raft on the Blue typically between May and July, the best time for rafting would be in June. The flows on the Blue River can change rapidly, so it best to check about 1 week before your trip.

  • What should I wear?

    For your Blue River trip, be sure to wear clothes of quick drying material - it is best to avoid cotton altogether. Wear shoes that can get wet, but that also remain secure to your feet. Crocs and flip flops are not permitted. The water is snowmelt, so no matter how hot it is outside, the water will be cold. Many people prefer to bring or wear wool or waterproof socks.

  • What should I bring?

    You'll be spending time under the Colorado sun, so be sure to bring some sunscreen and sunglasses. Many people also bring a hat to wear under their helmet to protect their face from the sun. Once your Blue River rafting trip is over, you'll want to change into some dry clothes.

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