We get this one a lot. At Performance Tours Rafting, we are all about making your whitewater rafting adventure the best experience possible. To determine when the best time for Colorado rafting is, we consider a few key factors: river conditions, experience/ ability, guest ages, and occasionally the weather.
Colorado’s whitewater rafting season runs from early May through mid September. We recommend guests looking for the ultimate Colorado whitewater rafting experience to book a trip from June to August, though early and late season conditions can still be a ton of fun!
Guests who are looking for big waves and an exhilarating whitewater experience will want to jump on the river around mid-June for peak runoff. In early May, temperatures warm and the snow begins to melt on the mountains, filling the rivers and increasing flows. The snow continues to melt until it peaks, typically around mid-June, which is known as “high water”.
After river flows peak, water levels gradually subside throughout the course of the summer, as the snowmelt is supplemented by rain events. Since “high water” is when the waves are the biggest and conditions are very exciting, mid-June is one of the best times for heart-pumping rafting adventures in Colorado. 
During “high water”, we often raise the minimum ages on certain trips to ensure guest safety. Occasionally, when high water rises above certain levels, some sections of river may become un-raftable. When this happens, we may have to change trips, raise minimum ages, or offer tour alternatives on different sections of the river.
River flows will vary from year to year based on the previous winter’s snowpack and weather. The most popular time of the year for the best Colorado rafting is July. That is because water levels are no longer at peak, and have dropped to flows that create excellent whitewater rafting conditions for Colorado rivers. It is also because that is when the most travelers are visiting Colorado during the summer.
July is also when the weather has really warmed up in Colorado’s high elevation mountain towns. For towns like Breckenridge, CO, which sits at 9,600’ elevation, temperatures rise to the high 70’s and low 80’s. That may not sound like a hot day, but trust us—at that elevation 80 degrees feels much hotter. Splashing around in the river or whitewater rafting is a great way to cool off and enjoy Colorado summer scenery.
After Memorial Day Weekend, many Colorado mountain towns begin to fill with excited visitors eager to explore our beautiful lands. Whitewater rafting before Memorial Day Weekend means less people on the river, more solitude and excellent conditions as the snowmelt begins to pick up.
If you want to avoid the crowds, we recommend jumping in the boat earlier in the summer, when flows are rising, or in August when school breaks have ended. The water levels for rafting are generally very good through mid to late August due to a flow program on the Arkansas River that provides a minimum flow for the Colorado whitewater rafting season.
Wildlife activity in Colorado begins to increase in early summer and late spring. If you’re whitewater rafting or exploring Colorado wilderness in May, it’s not uncommon for guests to see mule deer and bighorn sheep. Some lucky paddlers might see the occasional elk while rafting in the early season. On a rare occasion, we’ve spotted black bears on the river bank while floating through sections of Browns Canyon.
May is a great time of year for wildlife activity in Colorado, especially in Browns Canyon Nation Monument. In fact, the Browns Canyon section of the Arkansas River was designated a National Monument in 2015 partly because of the abundant wildlife in the area.
Please remember snowpacks and river conditions will vary from year-to-year and some trips may not be available depending on conditions and flow. Take a look at our raft trip comparison chart to get familiar with your Colorado whitewater rafting options.
See our trip search to find the best whitewater rafting trips in Colorado.
