I had read the reviews of others who claimed that they chose Downstream because it is smaller and you feel more connected. I couldn’t agree more. As we were getting on the creek, I could see another company getting ready to begin in about 30 minutes. They had a group of 60. I would not have liked that. I liked that Downstream ensures that you feel special and not one of a massive group. Would definitely choose them again.
Middle Clear Creek White Water Rafting
Beginner level (class I-III rapids)
Ages 5+ welcome
Half-day tour with 15 rapids
Have a blast splashing through 15 exhilarating rapids in one of Colorado’s most popular rafting destinations! This adventure is less than an hour from Denver, so it makes for the perfect weekend day trip. You’ll tackle rapids like Mister Twister and Mountain Lion, and they’re all sure to get your heart racing! Our friendly and experienced guides will take good care of you and make sure you have a great time.
Highlights
Enjoy top-of-the-line equipment, including a wetsuit and splash jacket — all included in the tour price
Have a blast with the whole family on this beginner rafting adventure
Leave those worries behind with our certified and experienced guides that will help keep you safe and having a fantastic time
Price
$76+ per person (prices vary depending on day and time)
Difficulty
Beginner rafting (class II-III rapids)
Departure times
Every day at 8:15AM, 11:30AM, and 2:45PM
Meeting point
Downstream Adventures
409 E Park Avenue,
Empire, Colorado 80438
Starting & ending points
Put in at Chicago Creek, Idaho Springs
Take out at entrance to Lower Canyon (Kermit’s)
Availability
mid-May until mid-August
Our season duration is dependent on snow run-off. How much snow falls in the preceding winter directly affects the length of our season. Typically, the season will begin in the third to fourth week of May and last until the second or third week of August.
Duration
3 hours total (usually between 1 and 1.5 hours on the water)
Participation requirements
Participants must be at least 5 years old and weigh at least 50 lbs.
Included
- Transportation from our outpost to the river and back
- Excellent white water rafts and safety equipment
- Wetsuit and splash jacket for each guest
- Custom-fit PFD (personal flotation device or life jacket) and helmet
- Dry bag for necessary items like medication
Note: Neoprene bootie rentals are available for $5 per person.
What to bring
- Swimsuit or non-cotton shorts
- Shoes that can get wet and stay on your feet (tennis shoes or sport sandals are great)
- Sunscreen
- Dry change of clothes for after the trip
- Your excitement and enthusiasm!
For more information, check out our recommendations on rafting safety & basics.
About your guide
One of our certified and highly trained river guides will accompany you on your tour. Read more about our guides!
Exciting Beginner Rafting Experience in the Nature of the Rockies
Join us for some of the best white water rafting in Colorado! If it’s breathtaking natural surroundings and endless fun that you’re after, then look no further than this half-day white water rafting adventure. With the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, stunning canyons, and exciting wildlife surrounding us, there is no shortage of beautiful scenery on this tour. Keep your eyes peeled for big-horned sheep, mule deer, moose, elk, and tons of fascinating bird species. Your guide will point out the various natural wonders that are bound to take your breath away!
Head Out On The Water
Start the trip with an essential safety lesson from your expert and certified guide. After all your questions have been answered and your mind put at ease, we’ll head off on our adventure! Along the way, you’ll encounter several continuous class I-II rapids, and you may even go through some class III during a higher run-off period. With names like Initiation Falls, Castle Falls, Mister Twister, Hightop, Speed Limit 55, and Mountain Lion, you’re in for a real treat — these rapids certainly live up to their quirky names!
Clear Creek: More Rapids Per Mile!
Clear Creek packs a punch! With more rapids per mile than any other commercial stretch in Colorado and with little slack water, this is the ideal location for rafters who want to get the most out of their trip! Your closest option for beginner white water rafting near Denver, Middle Clear Creek is the ideal rafting destination for first-timers, families, and adventure seekers alike. Get your feet wet and start splashing today!
Good to Know
Why Clear Creek?
Clear Creek has more rapids per mile than almost any other commercially run stretch of white water in the nation. Even the most seasoned paddlers can get their fix here!
Our location
Downstream Adventures is situated just 40 minutes from Denver, Colorado and less than an hour from Breckenridge, Boulder, Keystone, and Winter Park. You won’t find a better rafting trip so conveniently located!
What you’ll see
Clear Creek is a place of stunning beauty. Witness the remains of our rich gold rush history, including Argo Mill, once the longest tunnel in the world. Keep an eye out for exciting animals and admire the majestic Rocky Mountains.
Qualifications of our guides
At Downstream Adventures, we guarantee that all of our guides are highly qualified and experienced. Each guide has been certified in CPR/first aid and trained in life-saving swiftwater rescue techniques, and that’s just our minimum requirement! All of our full-time guides have surpassed the highest level of guide qualification recognized by the state of Colorado (level 3).
Safety
Our guides are some of the most experienced in Colorado and are skilled in Swift-Water Rescue and precision boat control. Of course, you are entering a wild and natural environment and there are risks involved, but we at Downstream Adventures take great pride in making trip safety our top priority.
Check out what our guests are saying
We were a big group of 20 ppl with young children. Casey and Jordon were our guides for the intermediate and beginner level rafting and both were great. We had good fun!
We have taken numerous rafting trips over a 25 year period. This was one of if not the best. Its a relatively quick trip, but there’s a lot of whitewater packed into two hours. Our guides, Casey and Jordan, made the trip really fun for our group of 12. The trip felt personalized and very different from some of the larger outfitters. We will be returning to run Clear Creek again with Downstream
This was our first time rafting and the staff was really chill and made sure that safety was a top priority. Our guide was excellent and made sure we had a wonderful experience. Some friends and I were looking for whitewater rafting while on vacation in Colorado and decided to go with Downstream Adventures. This was our first time rafting and the staff was really chill and made sure that safety was a top priority. Our guide was excellent and made sure we had a wonderful experience.
