Slaughterhouse Falls

Rafting experience helps, but physically fit, adventurous first-timers can join. Wild trips are an active, challenging ride: everyone paddles hard and must know how to swim. If that sounds like too much, try one of our Mild or Adventurous trips.

Yes. Knowing how to swim is required on all of our Class IV and V trips. Everyone wears a Coast Guard approved life jacket, but the chance of falling out of the raft is higher than on Class II and III water

Every guide holds First Aid and CPR certification and meets the state requirements to guide Class IV and V water. Our Class IV guides have at least three years of guiding, more than 1,000 river miles, and have trained on the section at least five times. Class V guides need four years, 1,500 river miles and river rescue skills. On Slaughterhouse and on Pine Creek and Numbers, a safety kayaker follows the rafts. Everyone on a Wild trip must know how to swim, be physically fit and paddle the whole way. We provide wetsuits, splash tops, fleece, booties and helmets.

Class IV trips are for ages 15 and up, and Class V trips for ages 18 and up. River flows can raise the minimums on some days. There’s no weight requirement, but everyone needs to be in good shape, fairly athletic and able to paddle through the whole trip. Call us or see FAQ – Know Before You Go for the minimums on your date

It depends on ages and how much whitewater you want. The Middle Roaring Fork is gentle Class II water for families with kids 5 and up. The Upper Roaring Fork is Class III, for ages 8 and up, and our most popular trip. Slaughterhouse Falls is Class IV, for ages 15 and up who can swim.

Long, powerful and nearly non-stop. You’ll run Entrance Exam, drop Slaughterhouse Falls, a six-foot waterfall, and finish with Hell’s Half Mile. Your guide will have you paddling hard as a team the whole way.