Just below the dams of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, where Colorado’s Gunnison River drops into pools and a foaming rapids between spectacular black granite cliffs, lies some of the most secluded, exciting, and visually stunning white water rafting in the world. Simply put, our favorite Colorado rafting trips are those that wind through the narrow canyon of the Gunnison River between the end of the Chukar Trail and Hotchkiss.
What makes a Gunnison River rafting trip the best white water experience in Colorado are four things. First, the water itself, which is an ideal combination of challenging drops and stretches of lazy floating which allows rafters to quietly enjoy the breathtaking natural scenery. Rapids in the Gunnison Gorge area range from Class II to Class IV, which means rafting trips can be adapted to fit the needs of both intermediate and experienced skill levels.
Second, the scenery, which is among the most beautiful in Colorado. The Gunnison River runs through one of the longest, deepest, and narrowest gorges in the world, and its remote, protected location, along with the limited number of trips allowed on the river in any given day, ensures a pristine, natural setting. The scenery and geology of the Gunnison Gorge resembles that of the Grand Canyon. This visual experience extends to the drive and hike to the river.
Third, the fishing and hiking. While a Gunnison River white water rafting adventure is an incredible experience in itself, a rafting trip to the Gunnison can be tailored to include world-class hiking and some of the best trout fishing in the world. This 14-mile stretch of the Gunnison River has been nominated for “Wild and Scenic River” status, and is world-famous for its German brown and rainbow trout fishing. Visitors can have a world-class white water rafting experience one day and a world-class trout fishing experience the next.
Fourth, the secluded nature of the area. To reach the Gunnison Gorge area, one must make a scenic, back-road drive through clay hills and over the edge of the canyon. Then, guests hike another mile down the canyon to the river, while their food and rafts are brought down by horseback. Additionally, only two trips containing 12 guests are allowed on the river per day, which along with the remote location, ensures a level of pristine solitude that is unavailable on many other rivers.
Wilderness Aware offers two ways to go exploring the Gunnison Gorge Area: a full day Gunnison River rafting trip, or a two day Gunnison River rafting trip. The full day trip begins above the Chukar rapid and ends near the inflow of the North Fork of the Gunnison, and combines exciting drops with quiet floating time, including the “Grand Finale Rapid.” On our two-day trip, we mix rafting with optional hiking and fishing, and camp along the banks of the river. Our inexpensive two or three days fishing trips will save you hundreds of dollars, and our expert rafting guides will put you exactly where you want on the river.
