Clear Creek Rafting
CLEAR CREEK RAFTING IS PURE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Located 30 minutes from Denver, Clear Creek Rafting has become one of Colorado’s most popular rafting destinations. Enjoy this historic mining valley as it provides the perfect backdrop to some of the state’s most exhilarating whitewater.
The continuous nature of Clear Creek makes for amazing rafting, with each run containing numerous rapids in close proximity. Clear Creek descends at an average rate of 110 ft per mile. This is really what separates Clear Creek from other rivers in Colorado. For example: Most rivers in Colorado have great rapids, but there is miles of flat water in between the rapids. The rafting experience can be diminished when periods of intense fun and excitement are interrupted by long stretches of flat water. Clear Creek is steep so the rapids are abundant, with only small short sections of calmer water separating them. The result is high-quality rafting! It’s perfect balance of excitement, natural beauty and the right amount of down time to catch your breath, soak in the scenery and get ready for the next rapid!
Liquid Descent offers trips on three distinct sections of Clear Creek, each varying in degree of difficulty. Whether you are a first time rafter, a family with young children (aged 5 & up), or an experienced adrenaline seeker, we have the perfect trip for you. Our Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced trips all have morning, mid-day and afternoon departures. We also offer a full-day Advanced trip, which meets at 9am.
Our outpost is conveniently located just off Interstate 70 on the West side of Idaho Springs. The season starts in mid May and runs through August.
Clear Creek County is where the Colorado gold rush first began. In January of 1859, George Jackson discovered a large placer deposit of Gold at the confluence of Chicago Creek and Clear Creek. (this exact spot is where our beginner trip starts.) Word spread quickly and by the end of 1859 more than 100,000 people made there way to Colorado with Gold Fever. Over the next 5 years numerous minning operations opened up and more than 2 million dollars ($75,000,000.00 in todays dollars) of gold was extracted from the county.
As you raft through the county on the river you can see relics and ruins left over from the Colorado Gold Rush.
Is there still Gold in Clear Creek?
There is definitely still Gold in Clear Creek. If you come rafting during the early part of the season (mid May) or late season (mid August) you might see a present day Gold panner on the river bank trying to strike it rich.
CHECK OUT ALL THESE RAPIDS!
PROXIMTY
CLEAR CREEK IS CONVENIENTLY LOCATED NEAR MANY COLORADO DESTINATIONS
The Closest rafting to Breckenridge is Clear Creek which is less than an hour drive!
Rafting on Clear Creek is only a 50 minute drive from Winter Park
The Closest rafting to Keystone, CO is less than an hour drive to Clear Creek.
Boulder is only an hour drive to rafting on clear creek.
Copper mountain is 45 minutes from Clear Creek.
Vail is just an our drive to Clear Creek.
The Lake Dillon and Silverthorne area is only a 35 minuted away from rafting on clear creek.
Frisco is only 40 minutes away from Clear Creek
You can get to Clear Creek in under two hours from Estes Park.
Rocky Mountain National Park is only an hour and half away from rafting on Clear Creek.
Colorado Springs is about an hour and forty five minute drive to Clear Creek.
Reasons to whitewater raft on Clear Creek
- Continuous Class IV rapids- Clear Creek is continuous and exciting with very little flat water or down time. This makes it special in comparison to other rivers in Colorado. Clear Creek is both scenic and thrilling!
- Kid-friendly packages: Liquid Descent offers Beginner trips for children as young as 5 years old. Expose your child to the natural beauty of Colorado while introducing them to the excitement of whitewater rafting.
- Close to Denver- Clear Creek is located about 30 minutes from Denver, making the commute to adventure easy and convenient.
- Close to the mountains – Our Idaho Springs location is also just an hour from other amazing outdoor attractions in Summit County, Winter Park, and Boulder.
- Great for corporate outings- Whitewater rafting requires guests in the same boat to work as a team. This creates an environment perfect to enhance team-building skills such as communication and working together towards a common goal.
- Perfect for Bachelor and Bachelorette parties – Whitewater rafting is the perfect activity for Bachelors and bachelorettes. It’s Fun, it’s rowdy, and it makes for an unforgettable experience!
