Clear Creek

Clear Creek’s variety of whitewater options and its location within a half hour of Denver and under an hour from Boulder, Breckenridge, Vail, and Winter Park makes Clear Creek rafting an easily accessible favorite for locals and travelers alike. Clear Creek travels through Golden’s whitewater park with milder class II rapids, and ramping up around Idaho Springs with class III through V sections. Clear Creek offers fun, floaty, and exciting whitewater opportunities for rafting and kayaking, as well as scenic views and potential wildlife spotting.

The Charm of Clear Creek

Clear Creek meanders from Loveland Pass, through Golden and The Front Range, until it converges with the South Platte River. Flowing gracefully through the breathtaking Clear Creek Canyon nestled in the majestic Rocky Mountains, this waterway runs parallel to I-70 and is just 30 minutes from Denver. It winds its way through the charming town of Idaho Springs, where amidst the fervor of the Colorado gold rush in the late 1850s, the first gold in the state was discovered.

Explore Clear Creek

Top Trips

Clear Creek is the premier whitewater location for anybody looking for a truly Colorado experience on the Front Range with rafting opportunities for all ages and abilities on class III through V rapids. Whether you are looking for an exciting and adventurous family reunion activity, a unique introduction to the Colorado wilderness, or a different way to celebrate your bachelor party, Clear Creek has something for everyone.

Our outpost in Idaho Springs offers easy access to this river, as well as ziplining and Via Ferrata experiences. Choose a multi-adventure package and explore Colorado’s rivers and mountains.

group paddling between rocks on the Clear Creek, as one member raises paddle above his head
Exciting & Active
Best for Adventurers of All Ages

Gold Rush Rafting+ Zipline

 
Join us on one of our best family trips, and experience Colorado fun on the river and in the air. From our Idaho Springs [...]

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Exciting & Active
Most Popular - Great for Kids

Gold Rush Clear Creek Rafting Adventure

 
Splash down the Clear Creek mining valley on our 1/3 day Gold Rush trip. Just a short half-hour trip from Denver, this family-friendly rafting [...]

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Person on a Via Ferrata course.
Thrilling & Very Active
Best for Cliffside Thrills

Mount Blue Sky, Colorado Via Ferrata

Get your heart up on one of our most daring adventure trips! On our Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata course, you will traverse the [...]

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group paddling into oncoming waves
Thrilling & Very Active
Best for Thrill Seekers

Upper Clear Creek Half Day Rafting Trip

Our Upper Clear Creek adventure will keep your paddle moving and your heart pounding as you crash through class IV rapids. Enjoy the beautiful [...]

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Colorado Zipline Tours
Exciting & Active
Best for Families with Kids

Cliffside Zipline Half Day

Fly through the trees on our exciting 6-line zipline course in Idaho Springs. This trip includes features such as a dual race line, hanging [...]

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Woman smiling while traversing AVA's Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata course
Heart Pounding
Best for a Full Day of Thrills

Upper Clear Creek 1/2 Day + Via Ferrata

Spend your day venturing through the mountains on with this thrilling combo of activities! You’ll have the opportunity to challenge yourself on the water [...]

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Clear Creek Whitewater Rafting

Clear Creek for Families

Our Clear Creek Gold Rush trip is great for families with kids as young as 6. This 1/3 day trip is an ideal introduction to whitewater rafting in Colorado and takes you through eleven Class III rapids as you paddle and splash your way down Clear Creek! Package this Gold Rush trip with a half-day zipline trip for a full day of multi-adventure fun.

Clear Creek for Adrenaline Junkies

Looking to up the intensity? Our 1/2 day trip on Upper Clear Creek allows you to conquer some of the most intense whitewater rafting on Clear Creek! Enjoy this steep, technical section that will keep your paddle moving. This trip is exciting and physically demanding and will test your limits!

Ready for the best Clear Creek has to offer? The exhilarating Lower Canyon on Clear Creek trip is a 1/2 day advanced whitewater trip that plunges you through one of the most continuous sections of whitewater in Colorado. You will rush through impressive scenery and an even more impressive gradient that drops 150 feet/mile through the canyon.

Push your physical limits on our full day advanced trip, the Phoenix, which combines the Upper Clear Creek, the Gold Rush and the Lower Canyon into one jam-packed day with a delicious BBQ lunch in the middle!

AVA's Clear Creek Outpost

Conveniently located only 30 minutes from Denver, our Idaho Springs outpost allows easy access to one of Colorado’s most well-known rivers. We expanded rafting to our Idaho Springs outpost in 2005 and introduced our aerial adventures in 2011! This outpost features part-day and full-day trips with multiple departure times from early morning to evening. Choose from Clear Creek whitewater rafting, our cliffside zipline course, and our unique Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata course.

Getting to the Clear Creek

Our outpost in Idaho Springs is located just 30 minutes west of downtown Denver and about one hour from Boulder, Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, and Winter Park, providing convenient access to Whitewater Rafting and adventure opportunities! Our location just off of I-70 allows you to easily add an adventure experience to your Colorado trip itinerary.

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woman casting in Colorado stream
Fun & Mellow
Best to Get Started with Fly Fishing

Arkansas Valley Never-Ever Half Day Fly Fishing

The perfect introduction to fly fishing. Get an orientation and test your skills on the iconic Arkansas River in central Colorado.

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woman casting fishing line in Colorado river
Fun & Mellow
Best for First-Time Anglers

Arkansas Valley Never-Ever Full Day Fly Fishing

Come discover the magnetism of fly fishing in Colorado! Endless riffles, runs, pools, and overhanging brush – the Arkansas River is one of Colorado’s [...]

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group rafting led by guide with raised paddle
Splashy & Moderate
Best for Families with Kids

Shoshone Rafting

Shoshone Rapids half day takes you through Colorado’s amazing Glenwood Canyon, which is just outside of Glenwood Springs. A must-see destination for any Colorado [...]

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group on a scenic float down the Upper Colorado
Wild & High Exertion
Best for Thrill Seekers

Royal Gorge Half Day

The Royal Gorge ½ Day Trip offers a thrilling whitewater adventure on the Arkansas River that is sure to excite everyone from experienced rafters [...]

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River rafting in Browns Canyon, Colorado.
Heart Pounding
Best for a Day of Thrills

Royal Gorge Full Day

Spend a day in the scenic Royal Gorge! One of the most renowned white water rafting trips in Colorado, this section will take you [...]

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Kid giving the thumbs up sign from his raft.
Exciting & Active
Best for Families

Bighorn Sheep Canyon Half Day

Wanting to experience the Royal Gorge from a different perspective? After your day of rafting, take a ride on the Royal Gorge Railroad, where [...]

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misty Colorado lake with Rocky Mountains in the background.
Best for Keeping Your Options Open

Gift Certificates

Give the gift of adventure with Gift Certificates from AVA Rafting & Zipline! We get it – it’s just so easy to send another [...]

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A view of the Denver Colorado city skyline with snow-capped mountains in the background pointed west.

Denver

Denver, CO

Denver, Colorado provides the perfect opportunity to explore cultural attractions, markets, festivals, museums, and urban excitement, while maintaining easy access to the best of Colorado’s outdoors. The Mile High City offers opportunities to listen to live music and enjoy food from diverse restaurants and breweries. Cheer for the Rockies at Coors Field, explore the 16th Street Mall and Union Station, check out the Denver Botanic Gardens, and relax at one of the city’s numerous parks and green areas. The nearby area also includes Colorado’s iconic Red Rocks amphitheater, as well as Golden, Colorado: Colorado’s first capital and the home of Coors brewing.

Denver’s central location in Colorado also makes it easy to access mountain adventures without excessive travel time. Drive 30 minutes from the city, and you will find opportunities for Whitewater Rafting, biking, hiking, and wildlife spotting. Denver is the perfect vacation for those wanting to experience the best of a vibrant city yet still explore Colorado’s natural beauty and scenery.

Image of the Colorado mountains at dusk.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses some of the nation’s best peaks, lakes, wildflowers, reservoirs, and wildlife and includes a portion of the Continental Divide Trail. With over 300 miles of trail systems, Rocky Mountain National Park has incredible hikes for all levels from flatter scenic walks to multi-day back packing trips. Landscapes in the park vary greatly and include towering mountains, alpine tundra, crystal clear lakes, meadows, and evergreens, and provide the ecosystem for multiple endangered species.

Rocky Mountain National Park offers wilderness camping under the stars, and there are additional accommodations in the surrounding communities of Grand Lake and Estes Park. Although hiking may be the most common past time, it is not the only adventure you can find in the Rocky Mountain National Park area. From our Kremmling outpost, 40 minutes from the park, we offer Whitewater Rafting and Fly Fishing trips on the scenic Upper Colorado River, along with SUP and Inflatable Kayak trips and rentals.

Garden of the Gods' red rock formations with Pike's Peak in the distance.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs has long been known as a “must-see” on Colorado travelers’ lists – and not just for all the great outdoor adventure and whitewater rafting near Colorado Springs. Located East of the Pike National Forest, near Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Old Colorado City, Cave of the Winds among other notable attractions, the area offers numerous opportunities to hike and explore the outdoors of central Colorado.

Pike’s Peak is one of Colorado’s many 14ers, yet one of the most accessible, as visitors can hike, bike, or drive to the top, and the National Landmark of Garden of the Gods provides stunning views of the area’s rock formations and landmarks, framing Pikes Peak in the background. National Geographic also notes Colorado Spring’s Broadmoor Seven Falls on their list of international waterfalls for their stunning scenery and views.

As Colorado’s second largest city and home to three colleges, Colorado Springs also hosts historical and cultural attractions. Visitors can explore the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, the Money Museum or the The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Colorado Springs also headquarters the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center and offers tours for the public.

View of lake and flowers on the bank in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Estes Park

Estes Park, CO

Surrounded by Rocky Mountain National Park and only an hour and a half outside of Denver, Estes Park boasts a variety of outdoor activities and attractions with stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. Most notably, Rocky Mountain National Park offers hiking and wildlife spotting, and visitors can drive the Trail Ridge Road from Estes to Grand Lake with views of the park and the Continental Divide Trail. In the warmer months, opportunities also abound for Whitewater Rafting, Rock Climbing, and Stand-up Paddleboarding.

The town of Estes additionally hosts Lake Estes, with opportunities for boating, fishing, or relaxing. After your outdoor adventure, be sure to check out one of Estes’s restaurants, breweries, or distilleries, or visit a festival or outdoor concert.

Blue River near Breckenridge, Colorado.

Breckenridge

Breckenridge, CO 80424

The magic of summer in the mountains comes alive in Breckenridge, Colorado. Located within Summit County, Breckenridge offers skiing and snowboarding, alongside plenty of opportunities for winter sports, yet the temperate summer weather and high alpine environment transform Breckenridge into a mecca for summer adventure. Breckenridge, Colorado is the place to visit if you are looking for a hip mountain town with access to the best outdoor adventures the Colorado mountains have to offer. Best of all, you’ll find Whitewater Rafting trips near Breckenridge on 4 different rivers!

In summer, Breckenridge hosts several festivals, a vibrant downtown arts scene, and numerous high alpine adventures. Its downtown Main Street includes numerous restaurants, bars, and shops, and people flock from across Summit County and Colorado to try Breckenridge’s diverse food scene. The town also offers cultural and arts opportunities, including open galleries, arts classes, and multiple museums. Whether you’re looking to explore the mountains, the town’s rich history, or its unique food scene, Breckenridge has a plethora of diverse adventure opportunities for all!

Vail Valley in the summertime.

Vail

Vail

Locals and guests in this quaint little town are spoiled with gorgeous surroundings and all the amenities of a bigger city. Winter brings skiing and boarding, yet summer offers endless sunny days and a chance to explore Colorado’s mountains and great outdoors. The White River National Forest and Gore Range surround the area, creating opportunities for hiking, biking and exploring the area’s trails.

The town of Vail has much to offer itself, including a variety of lodging and dining options, along with arts and culture opportunities. Catch a show at the outdoor Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, check out Vail’s festival schedule, or stroll around the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens!

Group of people on a rustic bridge.

Idaho Springs

431 Chicago Creek Road
Idaho Springs, CO 80452

Our Idaho Springs outpost offers beginner to advanced levels of whitewater rafting on Clear Creek, soar among the treetops on our Cliffside Zipline, or try our  Via Ferrata course for an introduction to mountaineering.  Enjoy an afternoon in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and catch some incredible sights of historic Idaho Springs- the location of Colorado’s first gold discovery!

Our Idaho Springs outpost is conveniently located near Denver, just 30 minutes west of downtown on I-70, and less than an hour from Summit County.