Learn to Bikeraft: Multi-Day Beginner Courses

Beginner Bikerafting Courses in Colorado & Utah

Have you ever wanted to try something totally unique and unlike anything your friends have ever done? If so, try pairing packrafts and bicycles. What? No it really works! Roll up that packraft tight and put it on your handlebars. And then ride 3, 10, 20 (the sky’s the limit) miles to your nearest river. Take that boat off your bike, blow it up, take your bike apart and lash it to your boat. And then head down that river! It’s as easy as that. Well, sort of. It helps to have experience with the transitions and navigating a boat with a bike on it. So we’ve got the course for you.

Get 10% off your adventure with the coupon code: TripOutside10!

Animas River 2-Day Beginner Bikerafting Course - Durango, CO

Learn to pair bicycles and packrafts, and expand your capacity to explore your local waterways! Over two days, you’ll learn basic paddle and river reading techniques on the Animas River, along with basic bikerafting techniques on up to Class II rapids.

You'll spend the first day of this course focusing on learning packrafting skills, and the second learning how to transition from bikes to boats and vice versa on a mini bikeraft adventure in Durango.

This no-frills learn basic river bikerafting skills course is for the budget-minded aspiring bike-packrafter and will be done entirely in Durango, Colorado. This course is for beginners, though you must know how to ride a bicycle.

McPhee Reservoir 3-Day Bikerafting Foundations Course

Perfect for beginners or those looking for a relaxed introduction to bikerafting, this three-day course combines packrafting and bikepacking skills with plenty of time for swimming, exploring coves, and enjoying the stunning scenery of McPhee Reservoir and the San Juan National Forest. You’ll learn how to lash your bike to your packraft, carry your boat on your bike, and ride single- and double-track trails over 40 miles of cycling and seven miles of paddling. This course can also be tailored with shorter mileage for less-experienced riders. No boating skills required—just bring your bike and sense of adventure!

Animas & Colorado River 5-Day River Course + Backcountry Excursion

On this beginner/intermediate river bikerafting course, you’ll spend one full day learning packrafting skills on the Animas River. Day 2, you’ll do a micro-bikerafting adventure also on the Animas (on a different section), riding local trails. You’ll then practice your skills in the backcountry on a three-day, two-night excursion in the Utah desert on the Colorado River and Lake Powell.

This course will likely push you over the edge of things you’ve experienced. But we feel certain you’ll walk away from this course with a deeper sense of enjoyment for both living in and utilizing human-powered tools to pass through remote landscapes. We want your experience to be the milestone in your life that you measure everything else up to.

Women's Bikerafting Foundations: 4-Day Bike & Packraft Skills Course

This 4-day women’s bikerafting course blends packrafting and bikepacking skills into one empowering, multi-day river adventure. Designed specifically for female adventurers, this course offers a supportive learning environment to build confidence on both bikes and boats.

You’ll start with a dedicated training day on the Animas River, learning how to transition between bike and packraft. The following three days take you into the backcountry on the San Miguel and/or Dolores Rivers, depending on river levels. Expect to paddle and pedal 40–60 miles while developing the skills needed for your own future bikerafting expeditions. Beginners welcome—basic bike skills required.

Advanced & Custom Courses

For experienced packrafters and backcountry adventurers ready to take their skills further, we offer advanced and custom courses focused on technical paddling, complex river reading, group management, and expedition-style travel. Whether you want to tackle challenging whitewater, refine your skills on multi-day backcountry trips, or design a private course tailored to your goals, these programs provide hands-on instruction and expert guidance to help you confidently push your limits.

Duration & Availability

Length varies by course. Each day is a full day, from about 10:00 am to 4/4:30 PM.

We typically offer several course sessions throughout the summer. If you're curious about current dates or interested in customizing a course to fit your schedule, just click “Reserve” to fill out a quick inquiry form, and we’ll be in touch with all the details.

Location / Where to Meet

Courses generally take place in Southwest Colorado or Southeastern Utah. Exact meeting locations will be provided with your course materials. We expect most people to either fly and rent a car or drive to the put-in/start point to meet us on the first day of the trip.

Ages & Requirements

No packrafting experience required. But basic backcountry skills are necessary. Can you cook your own food and set up your own tent? If so, these courses are for you.

What's Included

• Experienced packraft instructors
• An open packraft
• PFD, paddle, & helmet,
• Permits and camping fees
• Backcountry sanitation kit
• All meals for the backcountry portion of the trip: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

Not Included

Depending on the course, participants are generally responsible for their own personal gear, lodging, meals, and transportation. Here’s a list of items that are typically not included:

• A working bicycle and bike gear (helmet, tools)
• Meals on the first training day or if you choose to dine out.
• Drysuit
• Whitewater-specific boat
• Lodging
• Adult beverages
• Shuttling

Though we do not provide transportation, we will work together on the shuttle logistics.

What to Bring / Wear

You’ll need to bring your own drysuit, bike gear, personal camping gear, and appropriate clothing for both river travel and backcountry camping. For a detailed packing list, check out the FAQ section below.

Intro to Bikerafting Courses