Animas River Float: Mixed Group Tour

Guided

Duration: 2 hours

Durango

Features

Kid Friendly

Locally Owned

Shuttle Included

Small Group Sizes

Beginner Friendly

Instant Book

$130 Solo Tour

(For one person.)

$85 Small Group

(Priced per person. 2 person minimum.)

$75 Large Group

(Priced per person. 4 person minimum.)

Description

Guided Group SUP Tour - Relaxed Scenic Float on the Animas River

Looking for the most relaxed river tour in Durango? This laid-back paddleboard float is the perfect way to enjoy the Animas River without the rapids. Take a slow cruise through Durango’s most relaxing stretch of river on this easygoing stand-up paddleboard (SUP) tour. The north section of the Animas River is a mellow, flatwater float with no rapids, making it ideal for first-timers, families, or anyone looking to unwind on the water. Launching from Oxbow Park & Preserve, you’ll float 1.5 miles downstream past cottonwood-lined banks and wide-open skies. It’s a scenic and peaceful paddle!

Your day begins with pickup in Durango and a short ride to the river. At the put-in, your guide will gear you up with a properly sized paddleboard, paddle, and PFD, and give a brief but thorough introduction to paddling techniques—covering kneeling, standing, turning, and what to do if you fall in. You’ll also learn how to convert your board into kayak-mode if you’d prefer to sit and paddle. With instruction tailored to your group’s comfort and experience levels, you’ll launch into the river with confidence and ease.

Depending on the river’s flow, the float typically takes 1–1.5 hours, with time built in to pause in an eddy, soak up some sun, or fine-tune your SUP skills. Your guide will remain nearby to offer tips and assistance, and can drop a river anchor if the group wants to relax mid-float. With limited riverbank access due to private land, we’ll stay on our boards and enjoy uninterrupted water time. This is the ideal way to ease into paddleboarding in a gorgeous natural setting.

Please note: this section of the Animas flows through predominantly private land, so we won’t be stopping on the riverbanks.

Duration

1.5- 2.5 Hours

Location / Where to Meet

We'll provide transportation to and from your lodging (within 5 miles of Durango’s city center). If you are staying farther outside of town we will establish a spot to meet and transport you from there, or we can meet at Oxbow Park. We'll be in touch in advance of the tour to establish a meeting point.

Restrooms and changing rooms are available at the put-in at Oxbow Park.

As this is a group tour, please recognize your guide will be making multiple stops to pick up and drop off other guests. Please be on time with your set pick-up time to avoid delaying the entire tour.

Ages & Requirements

Minimum Age: 8 years old
Swimming Ability Required: All participants must know how to swim and be able to swim up to 30 feet while wearing a PFD.
Paddleboard Options: We offer adult-size paddleboards, child-size paddleboards, and a limited number of oversized boards that can accommodate one adult and one child together.
Group Suitability: This tour is beginner-friendly and suitable for families, first-time paddleboarders, or anyone looking for a mellow float.
Physical Requirements: Light physical activity; standing optional. SUPs can be converted to kayak-mode for seated paddling.

What’s Included

Demonstration and instruction on how to SUP and SUP-kayak
Use of our highend SUPs with abilities to convert into a kayak-like experience
Use of our Osprey Daylite Plus backpacks (20L volume)
Use of our top-of-the-line Astral PFDs meant for paddle watersports
Snacks: Guides will provide a variety of snacks for guests to pack into their daypacks at the river put-in if they would like.
Transportation to and from your lodging (within 5 miles of Durango’s city center) or an established meeting location
A medically trained and well experienced SUP guide, aware of local dangers and how to mitigate them, who is excited to share their passion for the outdoors with you; as well as their favorite places to eat in town!

What's Not Included

Rain jacket and a variety of layers
Appropriate footwear (sandals/water shoes recommended)
Lodging
Personalized Snacks
Trip and Medical Insurance
Water bottles/water badders (ability to carry 1 liter is required)
Guide Gratuity

What to Bring

Rain Jacket (even if the weather calls for pure sunshine, that isn’t always accurate and it can change quickly here)
A swimsuit or clothing you don’t mind swimming in, if you fall off your board
A variety of clothing layers to adjust to speed of movement and varying weather conditions that will likely occur. Athletic clothing is preferred.
A hat to protect from the intense Colorado sun
Sunglasses
Long sleeve sunshirt (not required, but definitely recommended for this environment)
Sunscreen
Your all-time favorite snacks
1-2 liters of water (We will have a large water jug in the vehicle to top up water bottles at the trailhead.)
Appropriate footwear: We find that most clients prefer to wear a sandal or some form of a water shoe when SUPing

ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY Meraki Mountain Adventures

FAQs

Is this Durango SUP tour good for beginners?

Absolutely! This is our most beginner-friendly tour. With calm, current-driven water and no rapids, it's a great place to try stand-up paddleboarding for the first time.

Do I have to stand up the whole time?

Not at all! You can sit, kneel, or even convert your board into a kayak-style setup with a backrest and double-bladed paddle.

Will we stop along the riverbanks?

We’ll stay on the boards throughout the tour due to private land along this section. However, we’ll take breaks in calm eddies to rest and enjoy the scenery.

Which section of the Animas River do we paddle?

The tour puts in on the Animas River at Oxbow Park & Preserve on the north end of town. We paddle upstream into a beautiful serene setting where the land on either side of the river is private. Due to this we are required to stay on our boards and utilize eddies for breaks rather than pulling onto shore. This section of the Animas River is located at about 6,500ft in elevation, which for many traveling from out of town is great for acclimatization compared to the high elevation trails around 10,000ft! This makes for a great adventure day earlier on in your trip before you go exploring in the big mountains nearby.

Cancellation Policy

We understand that life happens, and you might need to cancel your tour with us after you have booked it. All tours are eligible to be rescheduled at no cost for up to 6 months past the original booking date, if desired dates are available. If you need to cancel completely:

Guest Cancellation/Refund Breakdown: