Steamboat Springs Colorado Canoeing & River Kayaking Trips

For a true adventure in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, float down the river in a kayak or canoe! The Yampa River runs right through town, providing a class II river experience for all vacationing thrill seekers. Canoeing and kayaking are sports that allow you to become one with a body of water.

In Steamboat Springs, you can flow as the whitewater flows through some of the most beautiful country in Colorado. Both types of boats allow for maximum maneuvering, which enables you to make the most of rapids in the Yampa River. However, if you want to canoe or kayak without the adrenaline rush, there are several lakes near Steamboat Springs where you can experience nature and practice paddling.

Canoe and kayak trips are offered through guide services in Steamboat Springs. Instruction is part of each trip and gear is provided. Those on vacation may prefer to either go canoeing or in a “duckie boat. These boats would hold 2 or more people, thus enabling couples or families to take on the river together. Duckie kayaks are inflatable rubber kayaks that allow beginners to safely maneuver more difficult water. If you are interested in learning how to kayak in a hard plastic boat, plan on a minimum of ½ day instruction. Rentals are also available for all types of watercraft.

Serious paddlers in Steamboat Springs will not be let down. Easy access for daily practice is at your fingertips on the Yampa River. Just hop on at Fetcher Pond and enjoy the ride. Several “improvements” have been constructed on this section of the river to make for better surfing, and a slalom course has been set up for you to test your skills! Be sure to stop at Charlie’s Hole and show-off in front of some of Colorado’s best paddlers.

When you are ready for a step up, check out Fish Creek (IV+), Lower Elk River (III), Willow Creek (IV) and Cross Mountain Gorge (IV+). Then the Upper Colorado and the Blue River offer challenging whitewater when you have a little more time. There are several sections that can be combined into overnight trips. And of course the scenery is spectacular!