DURANGO RAFTING FIELD GUIDE
Quarter-Day on the Animas: Four Named Rapids, One Compact Rush
A guided 2.5-hour outing (about 1.5 hours on the water) that runs the Smelter, Sawmill, Santa Rita and Pinball rapids on the Animas River — this guide explains what to expect and what to bring.
Quarter-Day on the Animas: Four Named Rapids, One Compact Rush.
Feel the Animas tighten and surge beneath your raft as certified guides shepherd you through Smelter, Sawmill, Santa Rita and Pinball. In roughly 2.5 hours this quarter-day trip compresses a live‑wire stretch of river into an accessible, high-energy run where local history and river skills are woven into the paddling narrative.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Smelter, Sawmill, Santa Rita and Pinball
A short run that strings together four named rapids on the Animas River — each rapid delivers a compact dose of whitewater excitement over the course of the trip.
Certified guides and local history
Certified guides manage the technical running of the river while sharing historical context about the river corridor, combining safety oversight with interpretive commentary.
Short, intense river run
Designed as a quarter‑day outing, the trip runs about 2.5 hours in total with roughly 1.5 hours spent on the water — a compact window for a high-energy river experience.
What the day feels like
What the Quarter-Day Feels Like
The trip moves quickly: launch, lock in, and trade flatwater paddling for a succession of named rapids on the Animas. Guides call the line, you feel the raft bite, water slaps and clears — brief but memorable sections of whitewater punctuate calm stretches where the river’s scenery and history come forward.
THE RAPIDS
Smelter, Sawmill, Santa Rita and Pinball
A short run that strings together four named rapids on the Animas River — each rapid delivers a compact dose of whitewater excitement over the course of the trip.
THE GUIDES
Certified guides and local history
Certified guides manage the technical running of the river while sharing historical context about the river corridor, combining safety oversight with interpretive commentary.
THE TIMING
Short, intense river run
Designed as a quarter‑day outing, the trip runs about 2.5 hours in total with roughly 1.5 hours spent on the water — a compact window for a high-energy river experience.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and who might want a different option.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Total trip time is approximately 2.5 hours, with about 1.5 hours on the water.
Footwear is required: shoes or sandals with a back strap. No flip‑flops. Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet.
Certified guides manage safety and provide historical information along the run; expect a concentrated sequence of rapids.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the trip?
Approximately 2.5 hours total, with about 1.5 hours on the water.
Which rapids will we run?
The trip runs the Smelter, Sawmill, Santa Rita and Pinball rapids on the Animas River.
Are guides provided?
Yes — certified guides accompany the trip, managing safety and sharing historical information.
What should I wear?
Wear shoes or sandals with a back strap (no flip‑flops) and clothes you don't mind getting wet.
Will I get wet during the trip?
Yes: the operator advises clothing you don't mind getting wet, as the run includes active rapids.