Blue River
The Blue River, a tributary of the mighty Colorado River, is a lesser-known Colorado gem. Beginning its journey in the mountains near Breckenridge and Frisco, it courses through high alpine scenery, rich green forests, and expansive ranchlands before merging with the Colorado River.
THE BEST OF THE BLUE
The Blue River’s flow also powers recreational activities such as whitewater rafting and kayaking, offering thrilling ways to appreciate its beauty. Its stretch near Silverthorne, Colorado offers the closest Rafting to Breckenridge, Keystone and Frisco with incredible scenery of the Gore Range mountains. If you are visiting central Colorado, consider a Blue River rafting trip for an exciting whitewater excursion perfect for families, first-timers and those looking for a shorter adventure.
Explore Blue River
Top Trips
The Blue River is home to incredible views of the Gore Range, family-friendly whitewater rafting and world-class fly fishing. Whether you are looking for a trip for the kids or a classic Colorado thrill, the Blue River offers a unique rafting experience amidst beautiful scenery!
Blue River Express White Water Rafting Trip
Join AVA on the Blue River on this 1/3-day family-friendly rafting trip! Splash through class III rapids and marvel at the scenery around you [...]
Mount Blue Sky, Colorado Via Ferrata
Get your heart up on one of our most daring adventure trips! On our Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata course, you will traverse the [...]
1/2 Day Bike Rental
Spending some time in the sun with two wheels under you can really help slow time, and give you a chance to enjoy your [...]
Walk & Wade Fly Fishing Trip
Explore the incredible waters of the Upper Colorado River with a knowledgeable fishing guide. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first-time fishing or you’re [...]
Explore Blue River Adventures
Colorado Float Trips – Scenic Half Day
This wonderful Colorado River float trip is a gently flowing section that is inviting to all ages. You’ll encounter a few small rapids as [...]
Upper Clear Creek Half Day Rafting Trip
Our Upper Clear Creek adventure will keep your paddle moving and your heart pounding as you crash through class IV rapids. Enjoy the beautiful [...]
Browns Canyon 1/2 Day
Get ready to experience the best of Colorado on our Brown’s Canyon half-day trip. This family-friendly adventure rushes you down the Arkansas River and [...]
The Lower Canyon on Clear Creek
Adrenaline seekers will love the Lower Canyon portion of Clear Creek, with opportunities to raft class IV and V rapids. This is a unique [...]
24 Hours in Browns Canyon
Experience Colorado’s best overnight whitewater rafting. This trip provides a unique way to explore the most popular stretch of whitewater rafting in the country [...]
Numbers 1/2 Day
Looking for that quintessential Colorado whitewater rafting experience? Head to the Numbers section of the Arkansas River! If you are an experienced rafter looking [...]
The Gauntlet White Water Rafting – Pine Creek & Numbers
Experience the wildest rafting offered on the Arkansas River in Colorado. On this full day rafting adventure, you’ll have the opportunity to navigate the [...]
24 Hours on the Upper Colorado
This trip offers something for everyone! Enjoy wildlife, serenity, and natural beauty that only the Colorado River can offer. You’ll have plenty of time [...]
What an AVA BLUE RIVER Trip Looks Like
Blue River Trips
The Blue River Express 1/3 day rafting trip includes intermediate class III whitewater rapids perfect for families or first-timers. Because this whitewater river trip is short, it is also great for those on a tight schedule or just wanting a taste of Whitewater Rafting in Colorado. This river trip takes places north of Silverthorne, not far from Breckenridge and Frisco. Be sure to bring your waterproof camera to capture the area’s startling scenery!
Blue River Rafting Timing
This trip is highly dependent on water flows as the river is released from Lake Dillon, and it takes the perfect combination of water levels, river conditions, and luck to be able to run this trip. Last year, we were excited to offer this trip for the first time in 3 years! The Blue River was finally high enough to be runnable, reaching adequate water levels.
Other Rafting Experiences
A little over an hour away in Buena Vista, we additionally offer a wide variety of Rafting experiences on the Arkansas River. Our 1/2 day Browns Canyon trip takes you on an exciting ride on class III rapids through Browns Canyon National Monument, while our Numbers 1/2 day trip amps up the excitement with 6 miles of class III-V rapids. Check out all of our Buena Vista activities here!
AVA's Blue River Location
Our Blue River Express trip meets just 10 miles north of Silverthorne on CO-9 between mile markers 111 and 112. You will meet your guide and get geared up right next to the Blue River. The Blue River rafting trip is just about 24 miles from Breckenridge and 77 miles from Denver.
The Beautiful Blue
The Blue River is a tributary of the Colorado River, springing from the peaks near Breckenridge and weaving its way through a tapestry of stunning alpine landscapes, forests, and ranchland. Renowned for its crystal-clear waters teeming with trout, it serves as an angler’s paradise and a hotspot for whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, and biking. Beyond its banks, the Blue River Trail welcomes hikers and bikers to experience the surrounding beauty up close.
Other Outdoor Opportunities
South of the Blue River, in Breckenridge, AVA offers opportunities to rent bikes, including E-bikes, leisure and gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and juniors bikes. Our Buena Vista and Idaho Springs outposts also host a multitude of rafting trips for all levels and thrill seekers, alongside exciting aerial adventures, including zipline and Via Ferrata courses!
Family-Friendly Rafting
Our Blue River Express rafting trip is a great option for families. This trip starts out of Silverthorne, CO right off of I-70 near Breckenridge and is a 1/3 day trip, so your group will have plenty of time before and after your trip for hiking, biking, fishing, and all the other great outdoor adventures that Colorado has to offer.
For Thrill Seekers
Both our Buena Vista and Idaho Springs outposts offer several blood0pmping trips on class IV and V rapids to charge your sense of adventure! At these locations, you can additionally conquer a Via Ferrata course or try out a zipline trip to experience the rush of a cliffside adventure.
Idaho Springs
431 Chicago Creek Rd, Idaho Springs, CO 80452
AVA Rafting & Zipline has offered rafting and other outdoor adventure experiences in Colorado since its inception in 1998. With a focus on the guest experience across all adventures, AVA hosts world-class whitewater rafting on multiple rivers, as well as ziplining, Via Ferrata, multi-adventure packages, rock climbing, fly fishing, horseback riding, off-road rentals, train rides, and more. AVA Rafting & Zipline seeks to foster positive outdoor experiences and memories through innovative outdoor adventure opportunities, with a dedication to safety and guest service flowing through every river, course, and line. With outposts in Buena Vista, Kremmling, and Idaho Springs, AVA offers adventures in some of Colorado’s wildest places
Featured Blue River Trip
THE BLUE RIVER EXPRESS
The Blue River’s flow also powers recreational activities such as whitewater rafting and kayaking, offering thrilling ways to appreciate its beauty. Its stretch near Silverthorne, Colorado offers the closest Rafting to Breckenridge, Keystone and Frisco with incredible scenery of the Gore Range mountains.
FAQs
The Blue River is fed mostly by snowmelt, which means the season can vary based on amount of snow and when the snow fell. Typically, the Blue River runs best for rafting from May through July.
The put-in for our Blue River rafting trips is located about 1.5 hours from Denver, just a few minutes north of the town of Silverthorne. It is about a half hour north from Breckenridge and 25 minutes from Frisco.
While you can raft on the Blue typically between May and July, the best time for rafting would be in June. The flows on the Blue River can change rapidly, so it best to check about 1 week before your trip.
For your Blue River trip, be sure to wear clothes of quick drying material – it is best to avoid cotton altogether. Wear shoes that can get wet, but that also remain secure to your feet. Crocs and flip flops are not permitted. The water is snowmelt, so no matter how hot it is outside, the water will be cold. Many people prefer to bring or wear wool or waterproof socks.
You’ll be spending time under the Colorado sun, so be sure to bring some sunscreen and sunglasses. Many people also bring a hat to wear under their helmet to protect their face from the sun. Once your Blue River rafting trip is over, you’ll want to change into some dry clothes.
