Rafting adventures in Steamboat, Colorado.

Take it easy on a trip down the Colorado River Rafting in Colorado is one of the greatest ways to enjoy and explore the outdoor environment. Rafting Trips are organized for our guests by Blue Sky West, one of the longest established and most reputable outfitters in the area.

Blue Sky West specializes in safe, exciting river adventures for people of all ages and abilities. With an extensive, varied list of rivers rated from beginner to expert, and trips from 1/2 day to four days, we feel confident that they can offer the perfect trip for you and your group.

On your trip, enjoy state-of-the-art equipment, expert friendly guides, gorgeous canyon beauty, excellent food, and exciting adventure. Multi-day trips include all of the above amenities and more: such as great campfire camaraderie, the Great family experiences sweet music of a flowing river while you are safely snuggled in your sleeping bag, a starlit sky that seems to go on forever, and the welcomed morning sun that brings a hearty breakfast and another wonderful day on the river. Try it, You'll like it! ..Don't forget, these trips are for everyone, whether young or old, beginner or expert.

Beginner Level Trips
Ideal for those with little or no whitewater experience, Beginner trips are an excellent adventure for families with small children and groups of people new to rafting. A short instructional session on paddling and self-rescue techniques precedes the trip down-river. Paddling participation is optional on these adventures. Incredible scenery and foamy, rolling waters await you on a Beginner level adventure.

YAMPA RIVER: (Class I - II)
The Yampa River town run is a great trip for those interested in relaxing and enjoying the town of Steamboat Springs. This is our easiest and most convenient trip, perfect for those rafters looking for a quick splash ( 1- 2 hours). This trip only runs prior to July 4th.

COLORADO RIVER: (Class I - III)
Located about 55 miles south of Steamboat Springs, this river offers scenic red-rock canyons and pinion pines surrounding you as you drift into a forgotten time of stagecoaches and cattle ranching on a half or full-day adventure on the Colorado River. Several Class II - III rapids make this trip one of the most popular. SEASON: May - October.

Perfect as an introduction to whitewater rafting and a wonderful escape for those seeking pure relaxation, this scenic float is ideal for families, children, grandparents and large groups. Paddling participation is optional on this trip; guides are equipped to row your raft effortlessly through the Class I-II rapids.

Intermediate Level Trips
If raising your blood pressure is a prerequisite to your vacation adventures, then join Blue Sky West for an Intermediate level river run. Expert guides lead you over spine-tingling drops and between rock outcroppings in effortless fashion, Paddle..NOOOOWWW!!

hollering paddle strokes throughout. These hair-raising adventures are designed for those with previous paddling experience and a desire for adventure.

NORTH PLATTE RIVER - (Class II-IV)
Located in a serene wilderness setting, this rousing run on the North Platte is an incredible journey that transports paddlers from the hustle and bustle of daily life to a world of natural wonder. Participation is necessary as you maneuver through technical wave trains and boulder fields. Cruising the calmer stretches, drifting between deep canyon walls, you'll have the chance to scout for bald eagles and big horn sheep.

Half-day trips are not available due to the remote nature of this trip. The North Platte boasts rapids from class III-IV, depending on river flows, with the typical season running in early June.

EAGLE RIVER - (Class II-III)
Boulder-sized rocks and a stair-step river bottom combine to offer an exciting run on the Eagle River, 1hr 20mins south of Steamboat Springs. Class II-III rapids are sure to heighten your blood pressure as you sweep past glorious, red-rock cliffs and maneuver beneath abandoned railroad trestles. Brimming with whitewater surf holes and rushing currents, the Eagle River is sure to thrill and delight all intermediate paddlers. In May and early June, the Eagle lives up to its reputation as a roller coaster ride with continuous, unpredictable whitewater. After runoff subsides, the river evolves into a fun, technical river; perfect for beginners seeking a challenge.

Expert Level Trips
Thundering, churning waterholes and crashing white-crested waves are guaranteed to spiral you into paddlers heaven on these Expert river trips. Blue Sky West guides lead you into whirling rapids, where multi-ton boulders and heart-pounding pour-overs try to pull you from your seat. Expert trips are reserved for experienced paddlers in good physical condition. Not available as half-day runs, these trips include lunch and transportation.

YAMPA RIVER - (Class III +/-V)
Gnarly rapids and enormous boulders consistently thrash foamy water across the bow as your boat dips and cranks through Cross Mountain Canyon, a favorite and very advanced whitewater trip.

Located near Dinosaur National Monument, west of Steamboat, this 2,000-foot canyon is literally in the middle of nowhere. Flowing through a Wilderness Study Area with no adjacent road, railroad lines, or signs of human life, these Class III-IV rapids offer everything, from the tight and technical to untamable raging spillovers. A rafting trip through Cross Mountain Canyon is a must for the whitewater aficionado. The Cross Mountain season typically runs from mid-June through the end of July.

EAGLE RIVER : DOWDS CHUTE - (Class III +/-V)
Luring the brave, our expert run on the upper section of the Eagle River, through Dowd's Chute, has proven to be one of the most exciting stretches of whitewater in the state. Dowd's Chute is a continuous, raging whitewater thrill for paddlers with extensive experience and an understanding of the consequences of paddling, and possibly swimming, through class IV whitewater. This trip is seasonal and dependent on river flows; the most outrageous flows are typically from late-May through mid-July.

These new and exciting trips offer three different rivers in three days. The "Best in the West" is what these fun-filled, action-packed trips are all about. Transportation is provided from Steamboat Springs, and all meals are included. See Colorado from a river runner's eye!

BEGINNERS TO INTERMEDIATES (Class I-IV):
Day #1 - Colorado River
Day #2 - Eagle River
Day #3 - North Platte River
SEASON: May- Late July, LENGTH: 3 Days

EXPERTS (Class III +/- V):
Day #1 - Eagle River (The Chutes)
Day #2 - Yampa or Eagle River
Day #3 - Yampa River (Cross Mountain Canyon)
SEASON: May-Late July, LENGTH: 3 days

All full and multiple day trips include meals. Bring your own lunch and deduct Take on a real adventure

$5.00 / person. Children 12 and under are 15% off. Toddlers 5 and under are 1/2 price. Transportation is available on all full day trips for $12.00 per person fee.