Colorado Adventure Center - Whitewater Rafting — Attraction in Idaho Springs

Bait and switch. Did not receive a full refund as agreed upon. After reviewing some of these other reviews and noticing that I'm not the first person they offer refund to and never provided, I wish I would have read these reviews before I booked my trip. I am in the process of finishing a detailed review that will be posted on YouTube as well as other social media sites. These reviews will include highlights and the disappointments of the entire experience. Please watch them in the coming days. In short... Earlier this month my family and I booked an intermediate rafting trip on Clear Creek, in Idaho Springs. We travelled 14 hours on. June 9th to experience Class IV rapids. Upon arriving the age limit for the trip was increased to age 16 from 14 for the day and they wouldn't let my 15 and half year old son participate. Even though he was the tallest and most athletic in the group Which was unfortunate. That being said the front desk personnel was great and apologetic. They offered up a beginner course with a minimum age of 9 for our troubles. Knowing that it was a beginner trip with Class 1 & 2 rapids which is not what we travelled 14 hours for, we were hesitant to agree. They assured us that we would enjoy the trip and since we were already there, we agreed to go ahead and participate in the beginner trip as long as we would receive a full refund for our troubles. It was understood at the time that this was agreeable. Had we lived local we would have just rescheduled, but we were only in town for 2 days. A few days later I recieved a refund for $40 instead of the full $443.00. after reaching out multiple times via email, I did make contact with the Director of Operations at the Idaho Springs location, he denied stating that he approved the refund. Which is very disappointing and frustrating. As for the actual trip: The beginner trip was very much a float trip, and not a rafting trip. It had some great scenery and a great guide, but there was really no need for paddles as the difficulty level was very low. The trip also only lasted about an hour and 15 minutes. Probably a good trip for first-timers that don't want to get wet, but not what we travelled 14 hours for or paid over $400 for. When speaking to the director after the fact, I was not happy that I did not receive the expected refund and felt like it was a bait and switch tactic. In hindsight I should have just canceled and asked for a full refund and drove 100 miles south to the Royal gorge for a class 4 half day trip. But instead I decided that it would be silly to pass up a free rafting trip, even if it was at the beginning level. Unfortunately the trip was not free and I was still charged over $400. The value of The beginner's trip is probably equal to half of that, and had they refunded me half the amount I would have still been satisfied, but the director of operations I believe his name was John stated that there was something nothing he could do outside of discounting my next trip. I'm 14 hours away, there likely won't be in next trip, and if there is it'll likely be on a different River with a different outfitter. They really dropped the ball on this one. Sincerely,...

On Sunday, June 27 we visited Colorado Adventure Center for their Sky Trek and Beginner rafting package that included lunch. We got there early as advised and checked in. Everything was very organized and the staff was very helpful. After a safety speech and getting our equipment on we walked a short way to the Sky Trek course. It was so much fun, but also a workout! Ryan and Bennet did a great job giving directions and advice as needed to help us make it through the course. The photographer was also great. We started on the second level and friends with us started on the first and their pictures were much better, so that is something I would do different next time. We had a small group on the course with us so we had time to do quite a few of the different options, including all 3 levels. After Sky Trek we went back to the main center for our lunch. They had bag lunches with a turkey sandwich, potato chips, and a chocolate chip cookie. It was all very yummy. We had a bit of time to kill and it was fairly chilly so we took a short trip to Starbucks that was very close by, which was nice. We returned to check in for our rafting expedition and like before everyone was very friendly and organized. We paid a little extra for some warm-weather equipment and then went to the boathouse to get our wetsuits, life jackets, and helmets. After a very serious sounding safety speech we got on the bus and were driven to the drop in point. On the bus they let us know who our raft guide would be, so when we got to the spot and they set up the rafts we got off and found our guide. Cody was great, she started by having us practice some of the commands on land and made sure we knew what we were doing before we actually got in the water. During the tour she did a great job of keeping us where we were supposed to be while also giving us a bit of history and making us laugh. It felt like the photographer could have gotten no more than a couple photos but we were surprised to have about 15 when we got back, and they were all pretty good. When we got to the end of our tour Cody helped us get out and then we got back on the bus for the ride back to the base. It was a great day overall and I would definitely come back again when I return...

I recently had the most incredible river rafting adventure, and I can't recommend it enough! From start to finish, the entire experience was absolutely fantastic, and it truly offered amazing value for the price.

Our guide, Jared, was simply outstanding. He was not only incredibly knowledgeable about the river, its currents, and the local wildlife, but also had an infectious enthusiasm that made every moment exhilarating. Jared was a true professional, ensuring everyone felt safe and confident, even through the more challenging rapids. His clear instructions and calm demeanor put everyone at ease, and he constantly shared interesting facts and stories, adding so much depth to the trip. It felt less like a guided tour and more like an exciting journey with a seasoned expert.

The rafting itself was an absolute blast! We navigated thrilling rapids that got our hearts pumping, followed by serene stretches where we could soak in the breathtaking natural beauty of the surroundings. There was a perfect balance of excitement and relaxation, making it enjoyable for everyone in our group, regardless of their prior rafting experience. We laughed, we splashed, and we made some truly unforgettable memories.

Considering the length of the trip, the quality of the equipment, the professionalism of the team, and especially the exceptional guidance we received, the price was more than fair. It felt like we got so much more than we paid for.

If you're looking for an exhilarating outdoor activity that combines adventure, stunning scenery, and an amazing team, look no further. This river rafting trip was a highlight of my year, and I'm already planning...