Rapid Transit Rafting — Attraction in Estes Park

We loved our half-day rafting trip! We went on 7/3/2025 on the 6:45 trip, which was early, but you get an hour and half to nap on the bus there! We met at the Estes highschool parking lot (no bathrooms here) and signed paperwork and then boarded the old school bus (get there early so you can get your own seat!). Our drive Lisa was hilarious and kind and got us all to the first stop safely. The ride through the mountains and through Fort Collins was beautiful. At the first stop there are 3 porta-potties to use and then you get your helmet and life vest. They make sure your life vest is tight! At this point, Brian talked us through everything that could potentially go wrong. We learned what to do if you fall out, how to use a paddle correctly, and why you should not stand up in the river if you fall out (your feet will get caught in the rocks!). They taught what to do if we fall in, or get caught under the boat. It's important that you are able to listen to directions and work together! We then boarded the busses and again and got a preview of our route as we went by the river. At the next stop, we were told which groups we were in and then boarded our boats. Our guide, Izak who was very kind and told us what commands to know (paddle 1, paddle 2, all forward, and also back 1, etc). Izak sat in the back and showed us how to secure our feet in the pockets and underneath the center parts of the boat. The water was very cold but I'm glad we did not spend the money on the wetsuits because the water felt good in the hot sun! We did get splashed quite a bit but thankfully no one fell out. I think Izak was doing most of the work in the back to steer us! We did several exhilarating level 3 rapids and then stopped and all got out. I think there was one porta-potty at this location. We got back on the boat and drove a short distance to the second location. Lisa gave everyone the option to stay on the bus if they did not want to get back on the boats (everyone got back on the boats!). We all got back out and into our boats and headed down the river again! This time we got to do a fancy spin-around maneuver that Izak talked us through and it was great! There was one spot where they let everyone jump in the water and splash around a little. At the end, we all got out and had a moment to get photos with our guide before heading back to Estes. The half-day trip was perfect for us! Our legs were tired from all the hiking we did before so I'm glad we were able to do the rafting trip in the morning and then have all...

This was our first experience rafting and it was terrible. I took my 9 year old daughter and 16 year old son on what I hoped would be a morning of family fun. It definitely did not turn out to be a fun family experience. Our guide, Anna, was sweet but seemed inexperienced. She was not assertive and loud like the other guides and seemed to lack confidence. Other than our guide, we had 3 inexperienced adults, 2 teenagers, and a 9 year old on our raft. Very quickly into the trip our raft flipped over on top of us dumping everyone into the ice cold water. The temperature of the water combined with the tight life jackets (which we were thankful for) took our breath away. Although we were instructed during the brief safety talk to swim to a nearby raft or to shore, swimming in such a swift current was not possible. Luckily, I was able to grab my daughter's life vest and keep her near me. However, nothing could keep us from being slammed into rocks and moving with the current wherever it directed us.

I'm not sure how long we were in the water before another guide (he was great, but I can't remember his name) threw a rope and pulled us into his raft. My son had already been pulled into the raft and so we were all 3 together again and safe. The guide that pulled us out of the water was strong and assertive; he was also the one that seemed to take the lead in checking on everyone: bandaging my daughter's bloody leg and checking on the member our raft that we thought might need to leave in an ambulance--it was determined that she was ok to stay, but was exhausted and maybe in shock. We were all bruised, achy, and exhausted. I have never been so afraid for my safety and the safety of my children.

My major complaint is this: I feel that this company failed to make sure that the rafts were evenly divided based on experience and age. The company did respond to my complaint and in the response said that "rafting isn't a Disney ride." I found their response to be insulting. I had no idea what to expect since this was my first experience, however if a company takes children as young as 7 out rafting, some extra precautions should taken to ensure their safety. It just makes sense to me that children would be with the strongest, most experienced guides--not a guide that is new to the company,like Anna. Out of all the rafts that were on this trip, none of the others flipped and I attribute that to both her lack of experience and the company's lack of consideration regarding the people...

The mid 40 year old white guy with dreads and the celtic tattoo on his back decided it was best to berate and belittle the guide Nicole for being late by screaming and cursing at her publicly at the Colorado River's Pumphouse ramps on July 22nd at roughly 7am.

That young lady barely makes any money working there, as I am familiar with the unlivable, ride-based, payscale for raft guides. Definitely not enough to endure any of that from that measure of "man".

Dropping the f-bomb every other word. This verbal abuse lasted for a few minutes. Families with kids were around too.

I was having a good day, but this was just an awful thing to do no matter the circumstance. No matter how often she is late. She did not kill or endanger anyone.

Really bummed my girlfriend and I out before our ONLY DAY to raft this year. Thanks guys.

They decided to play some hippy music outloud afterwards to pretend like they are nice people. Nobody wants to hear your music, we are there for the river.

Then a few of the guides came by my boat to mean-mug me like some 1980's highschool bullies, because I was a witness to the abuse. Eyed my girlfriend and I up and down like predators.

This company has some serious staffing issues. Get it together. Give Nicole a bonus.

Edit: Replying to Owner:

Your river manager is a liar and abuser. That was blatant verbal abuse with f-bombs left and right, downright full of seething hatred.

Nobody's life was in danger and there were plenty of people to pick up some slack. River time is supposed to be enjoyable. Yet, even a week later, you are making me relive this atrocity.

End of the ropes is no excuse for a grown man to yell and diminish another human being like that. Absolutely abhorrent.

He decided to play "River Warrior" and then your crew mean mugged us until we left. What am I to do? Tell a giant angry man that he is cruel and unjust after he just publicly screamed and cursed one of his coworkers into oblivion? No. I kept record and played it safe for the safety of my loved ones.

Now I play "Keyboard Warrior" because the everyone should know who their money goes to.

I do not have to be a customer to recognize abuse and let others know.

Thank you for defending, condoning, and paying another bully in this messed up world. You guys...