Zip Line – Rafting Package

The best part of this Durango package is the change of pace: you move from zip lines through ponderosa forest to a raft on the Animas River, with a whitewater park run and mountain views along the way. It packs two outdoor activities into one day without requiring you to arrange river transport yourself.

I like the clear safety instruction and the small maximum group of seven. I also like the family range, since children age five and up can zip line and most people can take part. The main drawback is the uphill walk to the zip lines: 15 minutes and about 400 feet of climbing at Durango’s 6,500-foot elevation can feel tough before the fun begins.

Key points to know before booking

• Two activities in one day: Combine a half-day Animas River trip with a multi-line zip experience.
• The zip line approach takes effort: Walk 15 minutes uphill on a nature trail, gaining about 400 feet.
• The river portion is friendly to first-timers: Guides give instruction, handle the river transport, and lead the boat through the whitewater park.
• The group limit is seven: That keeps instruction personal and makes it easier to ask questions.
• Bring the right clothes: Closed-toe shoes are required for zip lining, and thermal gear can help in spring rafting conditions.
• Budget for lunch: A riverside snack is included, but lunch between activities is not.

A full outdoor day in Durango

At $228 per person, this is not a cheap morning activity. It is a package built around a full day, roughly seven hours, with professional guides, zip line equipment, rafting, transportation to and from the river, and a riverside snack included.

I see the value if you want both activities and would otherwise book them separately. You also avoid the hassle of planning a river shuttle. The price is harder to justify if you only want a short zip line outing or a simple float.

The package is offered in English and uses mobile tickets. It is normally booked about 10 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last moment during a busy summer visit to Durango.

The day begins at Mountain Waters Rafting & Adventure Company, 303 W College Drive, with an 8:30 a.m. start. The activity ends back at the meeting point. You need to get yourself to the rafting and zip line offices, but transportation connected with the river portion is provided.

Starting at Mountain Waters Rafting in Durango

The rafting office is more than a check-in point. It is where you receive the day’s instructions and meet the staff who organize the river portion. Since the group can be no larger than seven, you should get a more personal briefing than you would on a large commercial outing.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Names connected with this operation include Tristan, Shea, Jacob, Chad, Emily, Cooper, Eric, Beau, and Mike. Guide assignments can change, but you can request a guide when booking. One especially memorable character is Atlas, the company’s rafting Akita, who has joined some river trips.

Do not count on a particular guide or dog unless the company confirms it. Still, it is useful to know that the staff has experience with families, first-timers, and mixed-age groups. One outing included people from age nine to 88, with the activities adjusted to suit the group.

The 15-minute walk to the zip lines

The zip line section begins after a 15-minute hike up a nature trail. You gain about 400 feet from Durango’s starting elevation of 6,500 feet. That is not a long walk for a fit hiker, but the climb may surprise you if you are arriving from a lower elevation or carrying extra clothing.

The company takes the walk slowly, yet you should still wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Closed-toe shoes are required for the zip lines. The walk is the clearest physical limitation in the package, especially for anyone with knee, breathing, or balance concerns.

Once you reach the course, the guides explain each line and the safety steps before you leave the platform. That repeated instruction matters if this is your first zip line experience. You are not expected to arrive knowing how to brake, position yourself, or choose between different ways to finish.

The course may include six lines or a longer 12-line option, depending on the package arranged. The shorter version can work well for younger children or families combining the activity with rafting. The 12-line course gives you more time in the trees and longer, faster lines later in the run.

One final choice may involve jumping from the edge or zipping away. If that sounds too bold, listen carefully to the guide and choose the option that fits your comfort level. The point is to enjoy the ride, not prove anything to the people on the next platform.

Zip lines through the ponderosa forest

The zip line setting is close to downtown Durango, yet the course takes you into a wooded area. You get a different view of the area from above, with the lines running through ponderosa forest and the course gaining speed as it continues.

The first lines are useful for learning. Later lines may feel longer and faster, which gives the course a natural build rather than throwing you into the most exciting section at once. Guides stay involved, explain the next line, and help you feel ready before you leave each platform.

Parents may appreciate the shaded rooftop patio with couches near the zip line operation. It gives adults a place to rest between activities while children take part, though you should confirm how much time your particular schedule allows there. This is not a drop-off childcare arrangement, so children still need adult supervision.

Children must be at least five to zip line and must be accompanied by an adult. The weight limit is 230 pounds. Those rules are firm planning details, not minor suggestions.

Rafting the Animas River

The river portion follows the Animas through Durango, with the Animas River Trail often visible nearby. That makes this feel connected to the town rather than like a remote wilderness trip. You see the river from a low, active viewpoint while people on the trail may be moving along the bank.

The boat also goes through the whitewater park. Water levels affect how lively the run feels. In late July, low water can make the trip less forceful, but a skilled guide can still keep the outing engaging with instruction, local details, and good boat handling.

At higher water, the rapids may offer more action. One trip ran a larger rapid twice, and some participants swam in the river. Those are examples of what conditions can allow, not promises for every date. River flow, weather, and guide judgment shape the day.

The river guide gives instructions before the active sections and explains what you need to do in the boat. Guides also share information about places along the route, including local structures such as a bridge. That commentary gives the ride more context than a simple wet-and-wild run.

You should expect to get wet. A bathing suit alone may not be enough in spring or during cool weather. Thermal gear rentals are available and recommended in spring, and the company provides a riverside snack. Lunch is not included, so plan for food between activities if the schedule leaves you hungry.

How the day fits together

The package lasts about seven hours, but the exact order of zip lining and rafting may depend on the day’s schedule. Some outings place zip lining in the morning and rafting in the afternoon. The listed meeting point is the rafting office at 8:30 a.m., so confirm the order and transfer details when you book.

That order matters for your clothing and energy. If you raft first, you may want a change of clothes before heading to the zip lines. If you zip line first, the uphill trail comes before the river activity, and you may welcome the chance to cool off later.

Transportation to and from the river is included. You must still transport yourself to the rafting and zip line offices, so do not assume the package includes pickup from a hotel or vacation rental.

Lunch is the main gap in the schedule. Pack food or ask the company how much time you will have between activities. The included riverside snack helps, but it is not a full meal.

Safety, age limits, and physical demands

This is presented as a family-friendly activity for all skill levels, and most people can participate. That does not mean it is effortless. You need to manage the uphill nature trail, follow instructions on the zip platforms, and take part in a rafting trip that can involve moving water.

Children need an accompanying adult. The zip line minimum age is five, and the weight limit is 230 pounds. Service animals are allowed.

The small group size is a real advantage for safety and comfort. With no more than seven participants, guides can watch the group closely and repeat instructions when needed. Several guide names associated with the operation have been praised for clear explanations and careful attention, but the best approach is still to listen closely and tell the guide if you are nervous or need help.

Closed-toe shoes are required for zip lining. For rafting, dress for getting wet and changing conditions. Spring can be cold enough that thermal gear is worth renting, even if the day begins sunny.

Who will get the most from this package

I would recommend this to families and mixed-age groups who want more than one activity in a day. The age range can work well when one person wants an adventure but another prefers something approachable. The guides can explain each stage, and the group size helps keep the outing from feeling impersonal.

It is also a good fit for a first-time zip liner or rafter. You receive instruction rather than being left to figure out equipment and river technique on your own. The zip course builds from easier lines toward faster ones, and the rafting guide sets the pace on the water.

This may not suit you if you dislike heights, cannot manage a 400-foot uphill walk, or want a quiet river float. It is also a poor match if you need a guaranteed schedule with no gap for lunch or clothing changes. Ask about the day’s order before booking.

Is $228 a fair price?

The price makes sense when you want both zip lining and rafting in one organized day. You are paying for two activities, guides, equipment, river transportation, and a snack. You also get staff support from the first safety briefing through the final return to the meeting point.

The value drops if you would only use one half of the package. A separate rafting or zip line trip may be better for a shorter visit or a tighter budget. On the other hand, booking the second activity may bring a discount, and the company has shown flexibility in building custom packages or splitting activities across two days. Ask about current options before paying.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Durango zip line and rafting package?

Book it if you want a busy, well-organized outdoor day with two different kinds of excitement. The best reasons are the small group limit, clear instruction, family-friendly age range, and the chance to combine forest zip lines with the Animas River and its whitewater park.

Think twice if the uphill walk, wet clothing, or missing lunch plan will cause trouble. Confirm the activity order, ask about the number of zip lines, and arrange food and spring layers in advance. If those details suit your group, $228 buys a full Durango day rather than a single short activity.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

Meet at Mountain Waters Rafting & Adventure Company, 303 W College Drive, Durango, Colorado, at 8:30 a.m.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is transportation included?

Transportation to and from the river is included. You must arrange your own transportation to and from the rafting and zip line offices.

How old must a child be to zip line?

A child must be at least five years old to take part in the zip line activity, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

What should I wear for the zip lines?

Closed-toe shoes are required. The zip line course also involves a 15-minute nature-trail hike with about 400 feet of elevation gain.

Is lunch included?

No. A riverside snack is included, but lunch between the activities is not. Thermal gear rentals are available and recommended in spring for rafting.