TASTE OF WHITEWATER

RAFTING ON THE POUDRE RIVER NEAR FORT COLLINS

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RIVER RAFTING IS JUST 44 MILES FROM ESTES PARK

This exciting and memorable rafting trip from Fort Collins is perfect for those new to the sport of rafting or for those desiring a family trip. You will raft many fun and continuous rapids like Pinball, Roller Coaster, Thunder Alley, Rocky Falls and Killer Bridge! Kids love to ride in the front of the raft where they can get splashed while water fighting with other boats. During your Fort Collins rafting trip we will stop to play in our favorite swim hole. The crystal clear water is refreshing on a hot day and floating down through the waves will be the highlight of your whitewater experience! Contact our whitewater rafting guides in Fort Collins to plan your family rafting adventure.

2026 RAFTING SEASON

May 15 - September 1

TIME ON RIVER

1.5 to 2 hours

TOTAL TIME

3 hours

ARRIVAL TIMES

9:30 am or 2:15 PM

MINIMUM AGE

7 years old

PRICE

$98
BOOK NOW

We loved our experience with A Wanderlust Adventure! Everything was well organized and executed; photos are outstanding. Taylor is an impeccable guide - very skilled, engaged, and mindful. We will be back!

Amy Agape

Our white water rafting trip was absolutely incredible! From start to finish, the entire crew made us feel welcome and safe. Huge shoutout to our guide, Ryan. He was hilarious, fun, and incredibly knowledgeable. He kept us laughing the whole time while also making sure we felt confident and prepared. Everyone we interacted with at the company was friendly and professional. It was such a great experience. Highly recommend to anyone looking for adventure and great vibes. Make sure to get the photo package! 5 stars all the way!

Jessica Fishel

We had a 3 generation family group of 15 ...2 grandparents, 3 siblings and spouses and 7 grandchildren aged 7-17. The folks at Wanderlust guided us through the process of splitting the crew up but still managed to keep us in 2 boats. Paula and Krista were our guides and they were fantastic! Instructional videos were provided and the experience was educational as well as enjoyable! Great tour!

Bob Hartings

We had an amazing time! This was our first time rafting as a family and our guide Murph was awesome as he navigated us through the “the blast of white water” stretch. The reservations were super easy, the instructions from the staff was excellent, safety was always in the forefront, and all the guides made us feel welcome and were very informative of the river and surrounding area. I would highly recommend Wanderlust if you’re thinking of taking a white water rafting trip. Thanks again Murph and the staff at Wanderlust for showing us a great time!

Scott Lee

EXPERIENCE
THE FUN

FREQUENTLY

ASKED

QUESTIONS

The Poudre River is approximately 80 minutes from Estes Park. A Wanderlust Adventure is located in north Fort Collins, making it a convenient option for visitors staying in Estes Park who want to experience Colorado whitewater rafting without traveling all the way to Clear Creek.
Yes. The Poudre River is generally closer to Estes Park than the Clear Creek rafting area near Idaho Springs. The Poudre River runs through northern Colorado, making it a convenient choice for visitors coming from Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Clear Creek offers exciting whitewater rafting, but the Poudre River provides a different experience. The Poudre is Colorado's only nationally designated Wild & Scenic River and offers a beautiful, more remote mountain setting. A Wanderlust Adventure's trips combine the scenery of the Poudre Canyon with exciting whitewater, giving guests an authentic Colorado river experience.
The Taste of Whitewater is a great introduction to whitewater rafting and is designed for guests looking for an exciting adventure while still being accessible to a wider range of experience levels. The Blast of Whitewater is more challenging, with bigger and more continuous rapids and more paddling. Both trips offer an exciting experience on the Poudre River, but Blast is the better choice for guests looking for a more intense whitewater adventure.
Yes. Children can participate in the Blast of Whitewater trip as long as they meet the minimum age, weight, and other safety requirements for the trip. Our minimum age is 7 years old, and children must weigh at least 50 pounds. Because Blast is more physically demanding, greater comfort around water and an ability to participate in continuous paddling are recommended.
The Poudre River is fed by snowmelt, so the water can remain quite cold even during the summer. Water temperatures vary throughout the season and can be especially cold earlier in the summer when more snowmelt is entering the river. We offer wetsuit rentals and other equipment to help guests stay comfortable in colder conditions.
River conditions change throughout the season depending on snowpack, weather, and other factors. The Poudre generally has its highest flows during the spring and early summer snowmelt, with flows typically decreasing as the summer progresses. Even as the water slows down, there are still opportunities for exciting whitewater rafting throughout the season.
menuchevron-down