Poudre River Rafting

Enjoy Whitewater Rafting near Fort Collins, Colorado

The Cache la Poudre River, northwest of Fort Collins, is Colorado's first and only designated National Wild and Scenic River. You get a thrilling whitewater rafting experience in a pristine and protected environment. The sections we raft are just a little over one hour drive from either Denver or the town of Estes Park, which is just outside Rocky Mountain National Park.

The intensity of the rapids on the lower Poudre vary from intermediate to advanced intermediate in difficulty (i.e., Class III rapids). Rocky Mountain Adventures' professional guides and specially selected rafts ensure that both first time and experienced rafters can join the fun. A whitewater rafting trip on the Lower Cache la Poudre makes a great family outing.

The rapids on the Mishawaka Falls section of the Cache la Poudre are much more action-packed than the other half-day whitewater rafting trips, with plunges that vary from intermediate to advanced in difficulty (i.e., Class III and IV rapids). The current is swift and the channels are narrow, with fun but challenging rapids.

Rafters on this adventure must be at least 13 years old and must come prepared for hard stroking, teamwork and getting wet. Wet suits on this trip are highly suggested.

This Cache la Poudre trip, in addition to running the same stretch of river as the Mishawaka Falls section described above, stops part way through for lunch along the river.

The full-day whitewater rafting trip on the Cache la Poudre begins near the community of Rustic at an elevation of about 8,000 feet, and finishes near Poudre Park. The river has rapids that are advanced in difficulty (i.e., Class III and IV rapids). The stream channel is narrow and rocky, and the current is very swift with almost continuous rapids. Waves frequently break over the front of our self-bailing rafts, making for a wet and exciting trip. For this reason, we VERY STRONGLY SUGGEST a wet suit.