
Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 307 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek worth booking?
Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek is a 3-hour experience in Idaho Springs, United States, from $66 per person. It scores 93 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 5/5 rating across 307 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
- Outty Ranking
- 93 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (307)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $66 per person
Middle Clear Creek is one of the greatest beginner rafting runs in the nation. With numerous rapids and historical significance, it is hard to deny the value. Although Clear Creek holds more rapids than most any other
What you get
About this experience
Middle Clear Creek is one of the greatest beginner rafting runs in the nation. With numerous rapids and historical significance, it is hard to deny the value. Although Clear Creek holds more rapids than most any other run in the US, the rapids of our Middle section are straight-forward and perfect for families with children or anyone else looking for something a bit easier. Rafters will also catch glimpses of Colorado's rich gold mining history and maybe even a miner or two as they splash down this unique stretch of whitewater.
What's included
Included
- Free use of wetsuits, splash jackets, helmets, paddles, and personal flotation devices.
Not included
- Gratuities
- Footwear required (no crocs or flip flops)
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Idaho Springs
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Downstream Adventures
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Although the river itself is not wheelchair access, in most cases we can make special arrangements for our guests' needs.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 307 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
5 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
307 verified traveler reviews for Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Awesome experience rafting in Colorado!
We had a really fun day on this half day rafting trip with Downstream Adventures! Dylan was the best guide, and made the trip so fun and had lots of great stories to share. He even stopped to let folks jump off a rock cliff into the river! This trip was suitable for all levels. A good mix of rapids, lazy floating, and so much beautiful scenery! Highly recommend Downstream Adventures!
via Viator
So much fun! We had...
So much fun! We had Benjamin as our tour guide and he made the experience so much fun & easy! I was a little nervous since this was our first water rafting experience and everything was great. Russell,Benjamin and the other tour guides were awesome and made the experience so much fun. Highly reccomend to anyone in the area!!!
via Viator
Great rafting trip for whole family!
We had an amazing afternoon on the river, our guide Kaelin was wonderful, very knowledgeable of the area and river, she was great with our kids, our group of 6 people ranged from grandparents to our 6 year old son and the trip was perfect for all ages and experience levels. All of the staff from the other guides to our bus driver were all great, their meeting location had everything you might have forgotten, as well as clean bathrooms and an area of changing rooms which was great to have upon returning! We will be booking with Downstream Adventures next time we are in area!
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful Rafting Experience
We did the beginner rafting experience and had the best time. We were a group of 7 including 2 kids. Everyone enjoyed the rafting experience and our guides were wonderful. We had Brady & Will Smith as our guides and both were wonderful. My 8-yr old son said that Brady was super fantastic. Now they all want to go again and can’t wait to be older enough for the intermediate rapids. 😊
via Viator
Excellent Experience!
We had a great time river rafting on clear creek! Benjamin was a phenomenal, experienced guide with great stories. He shared historical stories, information on the nature around us, and personal experiences. We felt safe and learned a lot from our great teacher. Thank you so much!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $66 to $98
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 107
- Verdict
- 90+ Club
Why this scores 93
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Idaho Springs.
How much does Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek cost?
+
Prices start at $66 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Idaho Springs usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek take?
+
Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Idaho Springs is not rushed.
Is Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 93 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 307 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Idaho Springs, and how flexible the cancellation terms are. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
Can I cancel or reschedule Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek?
+
Around 107 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Idaho Springs can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Idaho Springs and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Idaho Springs within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Idaho Springs?
+
On Outty we rank every Idaho Springs experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Clear Creek Intermediate Whitewater Rafting near Denver, Clear Creek Classic 2h 30m Rafting Trip - Idaho Springs, CO, Whitewater Raft Clear Creek - Intermediate Cannonball Run. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Idaho Springs?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Idaho Springs?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek.
Pick your date




