Learn to Packraft for Beginners: 2-3 Day Courses

Learn to Packraft Course: 2-3 Day Beginner Courses

Whether you're brand new to packrafting or looking to expand your backcountry skill set, these beginner-friendly courses are designed to teach you the fundamentals of paddling, river reading, and expedition travel. Learn in beautiful Southwest Colorado with expert guides who will help you build the confidence to take on your own human-powered adventures.

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

Animas River 2-Day Course - Durango, CO

Over two days, you’ll learn basic paddle and river reading techniques on the Animas River on up to Class II rapids. We’ll teach you what you need to know to enhance your existing backcountry skill set. Through this Packrafting course, we seek to offer opportunities that, “get you on the edge of your own reality to feel things you’ve never experienced,” as FCG co-founder Steve “Doom” Fassbinder says. And we work hard to enhance your existing backcountry skills so you can do bigger and more exciting bike and packraft adventures, while at the same time pushing you just a bit further so you can, “find out what you’re really made of.”

Moab & Southern Utah 2-Day Packrafting Skills Course

Visiting Southern Utah to explore Arches or Canyonlands? Spend a weekend learning basic whitewater packrafting skills in a fun, hands-on setting. This entry-level course covers paddling fundamentals, swiftwater safety, and self-rescue techniques, following the same curriculum as Rescue 3 International Whitewater Rescue Technician – Recreational and ACA-accredited packraft instruction. Over two days, you’ll learn basic paddle and river reading techniques on the Colorado on up to Class II rapids.

Animas & Dolores 3-Day River Course + Overnight Excursion

This Learn to Packraft Course is for adventurers who want to learn packrafting skills in whitewater, from paddling skills to caching eddies to reading rivers and to applying those skills on an overnight adventure. On your first day of this Basic Packrafting Skills course you’ll meet your guide in Durango for a day of training on the Animas River. And then you’ll then practice your skills in the backcountry on an overnight excursion on the San Miguel and/or Dolores rivers. No packrafting experience required. But basic backcountry skills are necessary. Can you cook your own food and set up your own tent? If so, this course is for you.

Women’s & LGBTQ+ Packrafting Courses

Looking for a more supportive, identity-affirming learning environment? In addition to our standard beginner courses, we also offer women-specific and LGBTQ+ packrafting foundations courses throughout the season. These specialty sessions follow the same Level 1 curriculum—paddling fundamentals, river reading, and safety skills—while creating a space designed for connection, confidence-building, and community.

Duration & Availability

2-3 Days. 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.

Ages & Requriements

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

If you’re not sure you are experienced enough for this course, please visit our blog post, "What Level Packrafter Are You?"

What's Included

• Experienced packraft instructors
• An open packraft
• PFD, paddle, & helmet,
• Permits and camping fees (for the overnight excursion course)

Not Included

• Drysuit
• Whitewater-specific boat
• Lodging
• Shuttling
• Food.

You will need a drysuit for at least the first day of this trip. Rent drysuits locally at 4CornersRiversports.com (they only have four), or get a 15% discount if you order them online at BackcountryPackraft.com (we will give you the discount code once you pay your deposit).

For the overnight excursion course, you can add backcountry meals to your course when you book. You must be able to get yourself to the river put ins and take outs on Day 1, and we’ll work together on the shuttling for Days 2 & 3. We do not provide whitewater boats, drysuits, river knives, whistles or throw bags.

What to Bring / Wear

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

Instructional Packrafting Courses