Telluride Morning Half Day Rafting Trip - San Miguel River

2h 30m
Telluride, USA

About this activity

Get ready to twist and shout! The morning section of the San Miguel River starts in a narrow winding canyon with constant class II-III rapids. The scenery is impeccable and the splashes are aplenty!

Highlights

  • Our Class III certified guides are highly trained and exceed state requirements.
  • A hands-on paddling trip that offers a good mix of excitement and time to chill.
  • The perfect way to escape the crowds and experience a lesser known river trip.
  • Custom self bailing rafts with foot cups to help you stay in the boat!
  • Quality NRS wetsuits available to rent to keep you warm on this snowmelt river.

Full description

The morning rafting section of the San Miguel River is gorgeously scenic as it winds through a narrow canyon, filled with exciting rapids. Its red sandstone canyon juxtaposed by flourishing pine forests make for a picturesque setting to recreate on this lesser-known Rocky Mountain river. This is an active paddling trip! You'll help the guide power through the rapids, maneuver around obstacles in the river, and skirt around tight river bends. Be ready for plenty of class II-III rapids to splash through! The gradient and flows of this river change quite a bit, so some sections will be steeper and deeper than others. Anyone who loves the outdoors will have an absolute hoot on this tour, whether it’s your first or hundredth time rafting. Just ask our guides, most— if not all!— will agree that the San Miguel is their favorite river to run. All rafting trips come with a safety orientation and paddle instruction from your highly-trained river guides. You'll be provided with a PFD (aka life jacket), paddle, and wetsuit if you are renting one.

Included / Excluded

  • Highly experienced and in-house trained river guides
  • Helmets and Coastguard approved life jackets
  • Splash jackets
  • Shuttle from and back to our meet location
  • Custom self-bailing rafts and paddles
  • Safety orientation and paddle instruction
  • Low guest-to-guide ratio, with 4 to 6 customers to a guide
  • Wetsuit + Booties rentals ($15, can be added on after your reservation)
  • Lunch/Snacks
  • Gratuities

Meeting point

Start Location

Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours - Telluride Rafting Meet Location, Caddis Flats Campground, Placerville, CO 81430, USA

Important information

Know before you book

  • Children must be at least 10 years old.
  • Rafting is not recommended for people who are pregnant or have underlying heart or pulmonary conditions.
  • We reserve the right to switch river/locations based on current conditions.
  • This is an active trip, paddling is required!

Know before you go

  • This trips meets at Caddis Flats Campground near Placerville, around a 20 minute drive from Telluride.
  • There are bathrooms but no changing rooms, so please come in the clothing you're going to wear while rafting! No slip-on shoes like Crocs or flip flops are allowed.
  • Depending on the weather and water temperatures, wetsuits may be required. We have rentals available for $15. If you're renting a wetsuit, we recommend wearing a swimsuit or quick dry clothing underneath— no birthday suits allowed!

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts

Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Reviews

Google
Erica Huddleston
Jun 2026
5.0

Sadie was an amazing guide! We really enjoyed the rapids and views of the river. Sadie was so friendly and knowledgeable. Our group was sad to see the experience end! Additional perks: -a chance to see wildlife -changing rooms outside -a fun group of guides who seem to really love their jobs and get along with each other!

Google
That mutt Lilly!! 28
Jun 2026
5.0

Kayla was nice, knowledgeable and fun. She kept us safe and engaged. Would definitely recommend this tour.

Google
Kasey Ramirez
Jun 2026
5.0

We had the best experience at mild to wild. It was the first time for all four of our kids to do white water rafting. Anthony was the best guide ever! He made everyone feel comfortable and had so much patience with all of our kids, especially our two little boys, that asked a million questions and were a little scared at first. We will definitely be going back!