Boulder is home to outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds and is known as one of the healthiest cities in the country. There are numerous opportunities for kayaking and whitewater rafting in the Boulder area.

Nearby Boulder Creek offers a playpark for kayakers which consists mostly Class III rapids. This park was built before the modern-day play boat, but it’s still great for novices and offers multiple play holes and a slalom course, and one section is excellent for beginners to practice eddy turns, ferries, peel outs, and rolls. Less experienced paddlers should consider putting in at the bottom of Eben G. Fine Park. There are also numerous hiking and equestrian trails as well as mountain biking trails in the Boulder Creek area.

Boulder Outdoor Center offers kayak instruction, multi-day canoe trips on the Colorado River, Gunnison River, White River, and Dolores River. They also offer canoe instruction. And if you’re interested in some rafting, Boulder Outdoor Center offers guided trips on Class I – V waters. The Cache La Poudre River is located in the northern part of Rocky Mountain National Park and is great for both rafting and fishing. Rafting on the Cache La Poudre River provides a challenge for intermediate to advanced whitewater enthusiasts. Most launch points are west of Fort Collins, a drive of several hours north of Boulder.

Guided rafting tours are available on the nearby Arkansas, Clear Creek, Blue and Colorado Rivers. Both half-day and multi-day trips with spectacular mountain and canyon scenery. The Arkansas River is the most popular river in Colorado and offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the nation. Rafting is a fantastic family adventure, or if you’re traveling solo you can easily hook up with a group on a guided tour.