Placerville San Miguel River Rafting Adventure

When it comes to Colorado whitewater, hardly anyone knows about the San Miguel River. Which is kind of a surprise! Given how much fun it is, on top of being in proximity to bougie and beloved Telluride.
The rafting section is gorgeously scenic, exciting for all experience levels, and pretty much a must if you want to spend the afternoon like a local. Its red sandstone canyon juxtaposed by flourishing pine forests make for a picturesque setting to recreate on this Rocky Mountain river.

Anyone who loves the outdoors will have an absolute hoot on this tour, whether it’s your first or hundredth time rafting. Just ask our guides, most— if not all!— will agree that the San Miguel is their favorite river to run.

Meeting Point

Caddis Flats Campgrounds

Placerville, CO 81430, USA

Address: State Highway 145
Placerville, Colorado
GPS: 38.027816, -108.091237

What's included:

• State of the art self bailing rafts
• Free helmet and Coast Guard approved personal flotation Device
• Splash Jackets, Wetsuits & Neoprene Boots
• Trip leaders with an average of 2,000 river miles of experience (State only requires 750 miles)
• Spot communication for added safety when inside the remote sections

Not included:

• Gratuities

What to expect:

San Miguel River

Grab a paddle and guide, and spend the day better than anyone else around Telluride! Full Day rafting trips on the San Miguel offer fun and friendly whitewater while bounding through scenery seldom seen in Colorado.
The morning portion of these trips start in a narrow sandstone canyon, with constant class II and III rapids. This twisting stretch requires more technical paddling as you skirt around boulders and bends in the river. We absolutely love this stretch, as the forest engulfs the scenery between the red cliffs.

After a couple hours, we’ll stop for a well-deserved deli style lunch! Then it’s back in the boats for another beautiful stretch of the San Miguel where the canyon opens up and more wildlife tends to come out. ​​Your guide will spill the juicy details about the area in between paddle commands along the way. Be ready for plenty of class II drops and wave trains!

All trips come with a safety orientation and paddling instructions from our experienced and fun-loving river guides. You'll get acquainted quickly! As you'll be steering the boat with them the whole way.