Idaho Springs White Water Rafting: Best Trips, Rapids & What to Know
Forty-five minutes from downtown Denver, a stretch of snowmelt-fed whitewater cuts straight through the middle of a 19th-century gold mining town, and most Front Range visitors have no idea it's there. Idaho Springs isn't just a gas-station stop on the way to Winter Park. It's home to Clear Creek, one of the most technical and conveniently located whitewater runs in Colorado. If you've been searching for Idaho Springs white water rafting that doesn't eat up your whole day in the car, this is it. Why Idaho Springs Is Such an Easy Rafting Getaway Idaho Springs sits right off I-70, making it one of the only towns in Colorado where you can run Class IV rapids and still be back in Denver for dinner. The town dates back to the gold rush of 1859, and mining-era landmarks like the Charlie Taylor Waterwheel are still visible from the highway. What sets it apart for rafters is access. Clear Creek runs directly through downtown, so there's no long shuttle ride to a remote ...