2 Day Upper Animas, Mountain Waters Rafting, Durango, CO

Get it All! 24 mile 2 Day Upper Animas, Mountain Waters Rafting, Durango, CO

2 Day Upper Animas Silverton & Needleton Stretches, Class III-V, 24 miles. Photos

This is the number 1 multi-day raft trip in the state of Colorado combining the Silverton and Needleton Day Trips with a night at our exclusive riverside base camp. After an intense day on the Silverton Stretch relax while the guides entertain and cook for you by the campfire. Day 2 starts with a leisurely breakfast in the morning before continuing down the river filled with long stretches of continuous Class III & IV whitewater. The day ends with the famous D&SNG train ride back to Durango.

2 Day Upper Animas Trip Details

  • $700/person: Price includes train tickets, meals, all rafting equipment, wetsuits, and the best guides on planet Earth!
  • Guideline age minimum is 14 to 16 depending on flows.
  • 3 PM the day before your trip for Orientation at our office at 303 W. College Dr.
  • 07:30 – 08:00 ish: Meet and depart for Silverton from our office
  • 09:30 – 11:00 ish: Ready rafts, safety orientation, get dressed, launch trip
  • 11:00 – 12:00 ish: 6 miles of amazing scenery with several class IV Rapids
  • 12:00 – 15:00 ish: 6 miles of the real deal and some lunch
  • 15:00 – 06:30 ish: Take out, change clothes, luxuriate at the Needleton Bar & Grill
    while the guides cook dinner, play horseshoes and chill by the riverside camp fire
  • 06:30 – 12:30 ish: Breakfast, relax, load train, get dressed, launch rafts
  • 12:30 – 15:30 ish: 12 miles of awesome rafting and lunch
  • 15:30 – 16:30 ish: Take out, change clothes, load & ride train to Rockwood Station
  • 16:30 – 17:30 ish: Continue on train to Durango or drive back with us
“Upper Animas Insanity!!”Recently went on a 2 day Upper Animas trip, and it was awesome! As a resident of Durango for 2 years, I had never experienced the Silverton and Needleton sections of the river, and I have been missing out!! The rapids are not for the faint of heart, but it was some of the most beautiful areas of Colorado I have seen. The Needleton Bar and Grill is an amazing spot to spend the night, and I wish I could have spent more time there exploring. There was really good food, spectacular stargazing, and a welcoming atmosphere. The Mountain Waters crew of Andy G., David Pally, Anna,Spencer, Darion and Skippy were super friendly, experienced, and created a once in a lifetime experience. This is the ultimate Durango trip, I highly recommend Mountain Waters for the best rafting experience in the southwest!!


Recommended Gear for Rafting

  • Swimsuit for under the wetsuit
  • Layers: synthetic shirt, fleece, underwear to complement the wetsuit
  • Socks: wool or synthetic to wear with the booties
  • Hat for under the helmet, sunscreen, sunglasses, water bottle

Recommended Camping Equipment

  • Long pants and or Long Johns
  • Warm jacket, Rain Gear
  • Flashlight/headlamp
  • Toiletries and towel Insect repellent
  • Sturdy shoes/boots, hat and gloves for around camp
  • Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow, sheets, cot
  • Sheet or blanket as a sleeping bag liner (optional)
  • Your preferred adult beverages
  • Camera, fishing gear, games, books, guitar

We have camp rentals available: Sleeping bags/pads $10/night and tents $10/night.
Upper Animas Trips Require:

  • A sense of adventure and an honest assessment of your physical condition
  • Reservations are required for all Upper Animas Trips so we can reserve the train
  • Experience & age requirements fluctuate with water levels
  • Upper Animas Trips have a mandatory orientation at 3pm the evening before your trip
  • Orientation for the Needleton Trip is waived when river is below 500 cfs at Silverton

A guest produced (Kerry K) 6 minute video of the 2 day Upper Animas Experience!
See 12 minute version Here.

Other Upper Animas and Class III-V Trips

Upper Animas Silverton Stretch Class IV-V
Upper Animas Needleton Stretch Class III-IV
Upper Animas Rockwood Stretch Class IV
Piedra River Class III or IV Trips
3 Day Upper Animas Trip

Photos * MWR in Outside Magazine * Upper Animas in the Durango Herald * The Durango Silverton Train & Mountain Waters Rafting Video

What the experts say
Super Soaker, a jaunt through the meanest whitewater in Colorado
The Upper Animas is Like Beethoven’s Fifth
Upper Animas River: A whitewater hidden gem

Photos