Learn more about our trips:

White Water Rafting Trips

Rafting trips on six rivers from 1/4 day to 10 days in length.

Arkansas River White Water Rafting Trips, CO

America’s most popular river near Denver & Colorado Springs.

Salt River Trips, Arizona

World-class whitewater near Phoenix & Tucson.

Family Rafting Trips

Choose from a variety of family & group-friendly rafting trips.

Royal Gorge & Numbers

The most challenging rafting trips on the Arkansas River.

Multi-Day Getaways

Rafting combined with riverside camping or bed & breakfasts.

Land-Based Adventures

Enjoy a horseback ride, Jeep tour or downhill mountain bike trip.

Rafting the Dolores River – Ponderosa Gorge 3-Day

White Water Rafting & Camping in Southwest Colorado

Ponderosa Gorge on the Dolores River, Colorado

The beginning of the more navigable portion of the river lies below the town of Dolores where the Dolores River enters Ponderosa Gorge. Sloping canyon walls covered with oak brush and other shrubs characterize the first few miles of river below Bradfield Bridge. Then the canyon deepens and begins its transition from a mountain to a desert river. Sandstone walls appear and groves of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir cover the benches along the river, offering some of the West’s most beautiful campsites.

On the second day, you will stop to visit an ancient Anasazi Indian ruin high on a cliff face where you can imagine the life-style of a native culture long since vanished.

With a gradient of 19 feet per mile, you’ll be moving swiftly downstream to an encounter with “Old Snaggletooth”, the most formidable rapid on the entire river. Before the invention of the self-bailing raft, some river runners maintained that Snaggletooth had been portaged more times than it had been successfully run! The miles-long House Rock Rapid is a great finale to this stunning river.

The Details:

Where to Meet:	Cortez, CO (Get Directions)
Daily Launches:	May
Length:	50 miles
Difficulty:	Class III-IV
Experience Level:	Suitable for Everyone
Departure Time:	9:00 AM
Adult Price:	$504
Child Price (Ages 10-16):	$428
Please arrive at least 45-60 minutes prior to departure time. This allows you time to check in with your guides and change before your trip leaves. Complimentary continental breakfast is not available on Dolores River trips. Price listed does not include land and water access fees. Groups of 10 or more qualify for special group rates!