Upper Colorado River

The Upper Colorado River is the best whitewater rafting trip in the Vail, Colorado, area for families with young children, older adults, and for anyone who wants to raft a fun, easy stretch of river. Plus, the Upper Colorado River delivers beautiful scenery. While rafting through mild rapids, you’ll enjoy wildlife sightings and learn more from your guides about the area’s history, flora, and fauna. In the spring, when sunny weather tends to melt the incredible snowfall that Vail receives each winter, the Upper Colorado River provides a great introduction to whitewater rafting.

What to expect on the upper Colorado River

Timberline buses will meet you at the State Bridge Landing parking lot, where guides will check you in and get you started on waivers while we wait for everyone to arrive. From there, we’ll travel about 10 minutes to the Timberline boathouse on the Colorado River at Rancho Del Rio, where you’ll get suited up in top-of-the-line river gear. Your trip launches here, and you’ll enjoy four scenic miles on the Colorado River until you reach the take out at State Bridge, where your dry clothes will be waiting for you.