Colorado Whitewater Rafting Market Report
September 2026 — Pricing, destinations, and market data from 117 outfitters.
Median per-person starting price across 49 verified prices (owner-submitted or high-confidence listings). Typical range is the 10th–90th percentile, so single outliers don't skew the picture.
Pricing by Trip Type
| Trip Type | Avg | Min | Max | Outfitters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Friendly | $118 | $49 | $617 | 45 |
| Half Day | $102 | $49 | $425 | 43 |
| Full Day | $114 | $49 | $425 | 41 |
| Multi-Day | $139 | $54 | $617 | 17 |
| Extreme | $92 | $62 | $142 | 13 |
| Overnight | $158 | $54 | $617 | 13 |
| private trip | $120 | $120 | $120 | 1 |
River Class Breakdown
Top Destinations
| City | Outfitters | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista | 14 | $91 |
| Idaho Springs | 10 | $78 |
| Durango | 8 | $69 |
| Glenwood Springs | 7 | $78 |
| Canon City | 5 | $161 |
| Cañon City | 5 | $117 |
| Salida | 5 | $100 |
| Colorado | 4 | $165 |
| Fort Collins | 4 | $85 |
| Aspen | 4 | $49 |
Market Insights
Colorado Closes Its Warmest Water Year on Record
The Colorado Sun reported Sept. 28 that the state was 5.6 degrees Fahrenheit warmer from October 2025 through the end of August than the 1971 to 2000 average, making it the warmest water year on record. It was also the worst year on record for runoff on the Colorado, Arkansas and White rivers, and about 38.5% of Colorado was in extreme or exceptional drought on Sept. 22. With just over half of the state's usual water supply in storage reservoirs, the 2027 rafting season looks more dependent than usual on this winter's snowpack.
Southern Colorado Outfitters Close Out a Tough 2026 Season
KKTV reported Sept. 23 that southern Colorado rafting outfitters were bringing their 2026 commercial season to a close after persistent drought, disruptions from the Aspen Acres wildfire and rising fuel costs. Companies frequently shifted put-in and take-out locations as streamflow changed, and Andy Neinas, owner and operator of Echo Canyon River Expeditions, said "the water levels were changing by day." Official visitor numbers from Colorado Parks and Wildlife will not be finalized until January, and industry leaders told the station they hope a projected Super El Niño winter will rebuild snowpack for the 2027 season.
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View ListingsAbout This Report
This report is generated from Whitewatr's directory of verified outfitter listings. Pricing reflects starting per-person rates as reported by outfitters. Data is refreshed monthly.
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