Located between Durango and Pagosa Springs along the Weminuche Wilderness Area, the Piedra River flows through one long rugged canyon. There are two distinct stretches of the river to raft: the Lower Box being more challenging rated at Class IV and the Upper Box is a little more tame with a few fun Class III rapids. Both stretches have awesome scenery!
Lower Box of the Piedra River : Class IV Whitewater Rafting
The 12 mile Lower Piedra Box is a truly unique run due to its isolation, stunning scenery and wildlife, steep drops, cold water and short window of raft-able flows. The run starts with a quick mile of Class III warm up before entering the dramatic lower box canyon. Here lie 6 significant pool-drop Class IV rapids culminating with the one-two punch of Eye of the Needle and Meat Grinder Rapids. After this very exciting beginning the trip winds down with miles of enjoyable and scenic Class II and III water.
Lower Box Piedra Trip Details
- Guideline age minimum is 14.
- $230/person: Price includes transportation, lunch, all rafting equipment, wet-suits, and the best guides on planet Earth!
- 3 pm the day before: depending on weather, river conditions and or river flows, a “meet & greet” or on river orientation will be required at our office at 303 W College Dr
- 09:00 – Meet 38 miles east of Durango where Hwy 160 & Co Rd 166 intersect at the turn off to the Piedra River Resort
- 09:00 – 10:30 ish: Ready Rafts, Safety Orientation, Launch Rafts
- 10:30 – 12:00 ish: Run all the class IV rapids
- 12:00 – 13:00 ish: Awesome Lunch @ Latitude: 37.31416 Longitude: -107.34402
- 13:00 – 15:00 ish: Class II-III scenic float out of the canyon
- 15:00 – 16:00 ish: Take out, change clothes, load rafts, return to vehicle
“Excellent Service, Safety & Experience”My wife and I were staying in Durango and wanted a fairly intense trip that did not require much driving to get there. We did the lower box canyon on the Piedra River and had a great time. The guide and team were very personal as well as extremely knowledgeable. They emphasized safety the entire time and my wife felt comfortable as it was her first rafting experience. Overall, we felt this was an excellent trip at a great cost led by a wonderful team.
Upper Box, Piedra River
Upper Box of the Piedra River : Class III+ Whitewater Rafting
Outstanding scenery and lively action. This beautiful stretch of the Piedra meanders through continuous class II action set in natural park lands and aspen/fir forest. After lunch is when we enter the Upper Box Canyon and it’s two defining rapids, Lone Pine and Limestone. A great full day alternative for families who want more than the Lower Animas can provide during the month of May.
Upper Box Piedra Trip Details
- Guideline age minimum is 12.
- $200/person: No hidden fees! Price includes transportation, lunch, all rafting equipment, wetsuits, and the best guides on planet Earth!
- 09:00 – Meet 38 miles east of Durango where Hwy 160 & Co Rd 166 intersect at the turn off to the Piedra River Resort
- 09:00 – 10:00 ish: Shuttle in our vehicle to the put in
- 10:00 – 11:00 ish: Ready Rafts, Safety Orientation, Launch Rafts
- 11:00 – 12:00 ish: Scenic Class II-III
- 12:00 – 13:00 ish: Awesome Lunch
- 13:00 – 15:00 ish: Run two Class III+ Rapids: Lone Pine & Limestone
- 15:00 – 16:00 ish: Take out, change clothes, load rafts, 12 mile return to vehicle
Piedra River Double Box Class IV
When the water is high and the crew is strong we can run both Boxes (22 miles) in one day. This is an excellent alternative when the Upper Animas is too high to run.
Logistically it is simply a combination of the two separate trips above starting with the Upper Box Canyon and ending with the Lower Box Canyon. But you only get one lunch 🙂
– $330/person, Call to Book!
Lower Box Piedra Video
More Piedra River Photos
Recommended 1 day Equipment
- Swimsuit for under the wet-suit
- Layers: synthetic shirt, fleece, underwear to complement the wet-suit
- Socks: wool or synthetic to wear with the booties
- Hat for under the helmet, sunscreen, sunglasses, water bottle