I know there were some threads on this at the end of last summer and i thought i saved some of the info but i cant find it. me and a friend were thinking about planning a trip early this summer. any recommendations??? we are thinking about either New Mexico or somewhere in colorado

We have rafted in Colorado for the past 5 summers. June is the best time to go because of the waterflow from the mountain snow. The Arkansas River in Colorado has several good places including Brown's Canyon and the Royal Gorge. It is located between Buena Vista and Canon City. In Durango, the Lower Animas River is good and goes through Durango. I think its the Animas but it might be another river that flows from Silverton to Durango that usually has more class 4 on it. Outside of Fort Collins the La Pudre River is beautiful. Be sure to ask the guides what class of rapids you will be doing. Sometimes they limit the age to 18 because of the amount of class 4 rapids. Take the safety info seriously. If the raft turns over and sooner or later it will, the current and rocks are dangerous.

The Arkansas is great

is there a website to the river sites you are talking about? and where did yall stay at? we wanted to camp somewhere?

Some of the outfitters will run the Royal Gorge twice in one day for you. Good choice if so inclined.

Gig 'em Aggies!

how many people do they take on each raft trip? do you have to have a big group to go or can you just go with a couple friends

We used a company called Mild to Wild in Durango, Awanderlustadventure in Ft. Collins, and I can't remember who we used in Canon City or Buena Vista. In Canon City either Whitewater Adventure Outfitters or Echo Canyon Expeditions. In Buena Vista either Adventure Co. or AVA's Rafting. Most trips are in an 8 person inflatable with a guide. If you have 6-8 people then you have it to yourself. If you have less then you are paired with other rafters. To me its better to have your own group. There actually is alot of team work that goes on during the trip with the guide giving instructions on how to paddle to maneuver the boat. We have an adventerous group and the guides loved us because we could follow his direction The guides have told us stories of terrible trips where the rafters basically sat there and didn't paddle or talk.

We went rafting on Clear Creek last year. It worked great for us because we were staying in Denver for the weekend and didn't want to make the long drive to Canon City. It was very low water but still fun. I want to go again during June one of these days. The guide said the water is six feet deeper where we were at high water.

We used this company and they were great.

http://www.raftmasters.com/Clear_Creek_River_Trips.php

You might want to check this one out. Spent a summer on Taylor River and you get mild to wild down the length of the river, and along the Gunnison. Within about 30 miles, you can go from a leisurely float trip to some rough and tumble rapids. Great scenery, several campgrounds on the river, ATV rental in Taylor Park, wilderness for hiking, etc.

http://www.3riversresort.com/

3 Rivers is VERY nice area.

Now that I have a family, I don't have any desire to do the high level rafting - heard too many horror stories.

We did the medium level - told would get wet, some nice rapids but not the intense rapids . . . won't fall in.

We were less than 100 yards from end bank and raft bumped rock, whipped around quickly, and off me and son went! Got back up pretty quickly while grabbing him in the water, but I can't imagine having to do that in a dangerous stretch of rocks and large rapids.

We did the Arkansas / Royal Gorge with River Runners. Fun group of young guides.

http://riverrunnersltd.com/

We stayed at Liar's Lodge outside of Buena Vista.

http://www.liarslodge.com/

Cool place right on the river in case you had some time to fly fish.