
Durango Rafting - Half Day Family Friendly Trip
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September 2026
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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
4.9/5
Based on 281 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Durango Rafting - Half Day Family Friendly Trip worth booking?
Durango Rafting - Half Day Family Friendly Trip is a 3-hour experience in Durango, United States, from $99 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 281 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (281)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $99 per person
Rafting the Animas River is consistently rated as one of the highlights of visitors vacationing in Durango, Colorado. Enjoy a safe and fun Animas River raft trip in the company of a professional guide. The family-friend
What you get
About this experience
Rafting the Animas River is consistently rated as one of the highlights of visitors vacationing in Durango, Colorado. Enjoy a safe and fun Animas River raft trip in the company of a professional guide. The family-friendly Class I, II & III rapids are enough action to engage novices without being intimidating. Kid-tested and mom-approved since 1981.
What's included
Included
- Raft equipment: life jackets, helmets
- Transportation to and from the river
- Professionally certified white water guide
- Free Parking
- Rafting Tour
Not included
- Gratuities
- Thermal gear available for rent at time of trip
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
What you'll see and do
Mountain Waters Rafting & Adventure Company
Park for free, check-in with office, get ready for trip, go rafting!
30 minutes here
Animas River
Rafting!
180 minutes here
Animas River Trail
Animas River Trail runs most the length of this trip
Pass by without stopping
Santa Rita Park
Standard snack spot - whitewater park
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Durango
Meet at the Mountain Waters Rafting office 303 W. College Dr Durango, CO 81301 Free secure parking!
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet at the Mountain Waters Rafting office 303 W. College Dr Durango, CO 81301 Free secure parking!
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
- Mountain Waters Rafting & Adventure Company LLC
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 4 years
- Children under 11 must weigh at least 30 pounds
- This is a friendly entry level raft trips suitable for most everyone.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 280 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
5 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
280 verified traveler reviews for Durango Rafting - Half Day Family Friendly Trip. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
More spills than thrills!
Drought conditions on Animas River resulted in a shortened float. Shallow water, only one significant stretch of white water. But two adults out of five fell overboard anyway. One went completely into the river, the other clung on precariously until hauled back in. The reason: we were told to sit on the side of the raft rather than inside it. BAD IDEA! Friendly staff and river guides.
via Tripadvisor
5 star experience!!
Christopher L was an amazing guide! Our family had a wonderful time, and even though the water was a little low, he made it a very fun and memorable experience for all of us. Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Fun float
Great float considering the water was at low flow.
via Tripadvisor
Fun time had by all
We had a great time on our first river rafting experience. The guides were knowledgeable and made the rafting trip fun.
via Tripadvisor
Family Trip during Low Water
Our half-day trip was shortened to a quarter-day due to low water, and we were refunded the difference. The staff was friendly and fun, and taught us how to paddle.
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
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 98
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Durango Rafting - Half Day Family Friendly Trip: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Durango.
How much does Durango Rafting - Half Day Family Friendly Trip cost?
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Prices start at $99 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Durango usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Durango Rafting - Half Day Family Friendly Trip take?
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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 Durango is not rushed.
Is Durango Rafting - Half Day Family Friendly Trip worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 281 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Durango, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Durango Rafting - Half Day Family Friendly Trip?
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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 Durango Rafting - Half Day Family Friendly Trip suitable for kids and families?
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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 Durango Rafting - Half Day Family Friendly Trip?
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Around 98 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 Durango 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?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Durango and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Durango Rafting - Half Day Family Friendly Trip start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Durango 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 Durango?
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Durango runs the Durango and Silverton narrow gauge steam railroad, Mesa Verde cliff dwelling tours, Animas River rafting, jeep trails and winter skiing at Purgatory. On Outty we rank every Durango experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Durango Colorado - Rafting 1/4 Day, Durango Half Day Rafting Trip - Lower Animas River, Durango 1/4 Day Rafting Trip - Lower Animas River. 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 Durango?
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May to October, with the railroad running year-round in shorter form. 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 Durango?
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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?
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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.
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