Zip Line – Rafting Package

Two kinds of adventure, one full day. This Durango package pairs zip lining through a Ponderosa forest with a guided float and whitewater run on the Animas River. I like the mix of fast, airborne fun and river scenery, and I like that trained guides handle the instruction, safety talk, and river transport. The main catch is the schedule: seven hours is a long active day, and you must get yourself to the zip line office and rafting office.

The package costs $228 per person, which is a serious price, but it covers two separate activities, professional guides, river transportation, and a riverside snack. I also like the small-group limit of seven people, though lunch is not included and the zip line requires a 15-minute uphill walk at Durango’s 6,500-foot elevation.

Key points to know before you book

• Six or 12 zip lines: The shorter option works well for a first try, while the longer course adds faster, longer spans later in the route.
• Animas River whitewater: You float through Durango, pass the Animas River Trail, and run the whitewater park near Santa Rita Park.
• Small group size: The maximum of seven people allows guides to give clear, personal instruction.
• A real uphill approach: Reaching the zip line involves a 15-minute nature-trail hike with about 400 feet of uphill gain.
• Guides make the difference: Names praised for clear instruction and good company include Tristan, Shea, Emily, Cooper, Jacob, Chad, Eric, Beau, and Spicy Mike.
• Plan your own meals and office transfers: River transport is included, but lunch and transportation to and from the activity offices are not.

Two Durango adventures packed into one day

This package gives you a useful way to see Durango from above and below. The zip line course puts you among the trees, while the rafting portion follows the Animas River through town. You are not spending the whole day on one repetitive activity.

The start time is 8:30 a.m. at Mountain Waters Rafting and Adventure Company, 303 W College Dr. The full outing lasts about seven hours, although the exact order of the two activities can matter. Accounts of the package describe zip lining in the morning and rafting in the afternoon, but you should confirm the day’s arrangement when you book.

That flexibility matters if you are traveling with a mixed-age group. One family group ranged from age nine to 88 and split the two activities across separate days after speaking with the company. The package can therefore work as a single energetic day or, if the operator allows it for your booking, as a more relaxed two-day plan.

The group limit of seven is another plus. You are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and instructions can be easier to hear. It also gives the guides more room to adjust the pace for first-timers.

The zip line begins with a walk uphill

The zip line is close to downtown Durango, but it does not begin right at the office. You hike for about 15 minutes along a nature trail, gaining roughly 400 feet from the city’s 6,500-foot elevation.

That walk is short for many active people, but it is not flat. If you are sensitive to altitude, traveling with young children, or simply saving your energy for the course, treat this approach as part of the activity. The staff takes the climb slowly, but you should wear practical shoes and avoid arriving rushed.

Closed-toe shoes are required. The zip line also has a 230-pound weight limit, and children must be at least five years old. Children need an adult with them, and service animals are allowed.

Once you reach the course, guides explain each line and the required movements before you go. That clear instruction is especially valuable if this is your first time. Emily and Cooper are praised for making the course feel safe and enjoyable, while Jacob and Chad earned similar praise for calm explanations and a fun manner.

The course can include six lines or 12 lines, depending on the package selected. The shorter version is enough to give a child or first-timer a solid introduction. The longer option offers more value if you already know you enjoy zip lining, since the later spans are described as longer and faster.

One final choice adds a little humor to the finish: you may have the option to jump or zip from the last platform. That is not a small detail for someone nervous about heights, so ask your guide what the final line involves and what choices are available.

Why the forest setting works

The zip line is not only about speed. You move through a Ponderosa forest about a mile from downtown Durango, with views that make the uphill walk worthwhile for many people.

I like this part of the package because it feels connected to the area rather than sealed inside an amusement park. You get trees, open views, and a sense of elevation before heading down to the river.

The experience remains active from start to finish. The walk, platform steps, harness work, and repeated launches can be tiring, especially if you choose 12 lines. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring water, and do not assume the river portion will feel like a rest period.

Following the Animas River through town

The rafting portion begins at the Mountain Waters office, with transportation provided to and from the river. You board for a guided trip on the Animas River, floating through Durango with the river trail often in sight.

The route includes the Animas River Trail and Santa Rita Park. These landmarks help you stay oriented as the river passes through the city. You are not far removed from town, but the water gives you a different view of Durango, its bridges, and the surrounding setting.

The trip also goes through the whitewater park. Water levels can change the feel of the outing. One late-July trip had low water, yet the guide still kept the run enjoyable. Another trip managed to run the larger rapids twice and included swimming in the river.

That variation is important. You should not book this expecting one fixed level of excitement. The river may feel more active at one time of year and gentler at another. The guide controls the pace and explains what is coming, which helps first-time rafters settle in.

Guides also add local context along the way. Beau provided information about area features, including a bridge, while Spicy Mike made the run more playful and even offered a wool sweater to a cold child during a rain shower. That kind of attentiveness matters more than polished narration when you are wet, cold, or nervous.

The guides are a major part of the value

The strongest pattern in the feedback is the quality of the staff. Tristan and his raft team helped one family enjoy a first rafting experience, while Shea was praised for clear instruction and a good sense of fun. Eric was singled out for skill and useful information.

On the zip line, Emily, Cooper, Jacob, and Chad received praise for explaining every line before each launch. That is the right approach for a course where confidence can change from one platform to the next.

You can also ask about guide requests when booking. One family specifically requested Atlas, the company’s rafting Akita, and found him waiting at the office. Atlas is an unusual bonus, of course, and should not be treated as guaranteed, but the company says guides can be requested as well.

The small group size supports this personal approach. With no more than seven participants, it should be easier to ask questions, repeat an instruction, or let the guide know if someone needs a slower pace. The package is family-friendly, but that does not mean every part is effortless.

What is included, and what you still need to arrange

The package includes professional guides, all activity instruction, transportation to and from the river, and a riverside snack. The snack is useful because the day runs through a meal period, but it is not a substitute for lunch.

Lunch between activities is not included. Bring money or food plans for the gap, and ask how much time you will have between the zip line and rafting portions. You also need to transport yourself to and from the zip line and rafting offices.

The activity begins and ends at the rafting office. That makes the 303 W College Dr address important, especially if you are coordinating a rental car, a hotel ride, or a larger family group. Mobile tickets are accepted, and the experience is offered in English.

Spring participants should pay special attention to clothing. Thermal gear rentals are available and recommended for rafting in spring. Even on warmer days, river water and wind can make the boat portion feel cool.

Is $228 a fair price?

At $228 per person, this is not a budget half-day outing. Its value depends on whether you want both activities. Booking rafting and zip lining separately may take more planning, while this package puts them under one company and one day’s schedule.

You are paying for two guided experiences, safety instruction, river transportation, a snack, and a small group capped at seven. If you choose the 12-line zip option and get a lively river run, the price becomes easier to justify. If you prefer only a gentle float or only want to try one zip line, a single activity may be the better buy.

The ability to request guides and, in some cases, arrange separate days can also improve the value for large or mixed-age groups. Call before booking if your party includes people with different fitness levels or ages. Staff members are described as patient and flexible when discussing options.

The main costs beyond the listed price are easy to overlook: lunch, transportation to the activity offices, and possible thermal gear rental. Add those to your planning before deciding that the package fits your budget.

Who will enjoy this package most?

I would recommend it for families with children aged five and older, active couples, and groups that want more than a standard sightseeing day. It is especially useful for first-time rafters and first-time zip liners because guides provide the instruction and control the safety procedures.

A group with ages nine to 88 has used the two activities successfully, but age alone does not settle the question. The uphill walk, harness work, exposure to height, and river conditions all matter. Someone who is comfortable with one activity may find the other more demanding.

This package suits people who like variety and do not mind a full schedule. It is less suitable if you want a slow morning, a long sit-down lunch, or complete control over your own timing.

Most people can participate, but you should be honest about your stamina. The company notes the altitude gain to the zip line for a reason. If that uphill section sounds difficult, ask about the pace and available arrangements before paying.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

Confirmation is provided when you book, and you should include a working contact phone number. The package is often reserved about 10 days ahead, so book early if you need a particular date or want to ask about guide requests.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted or refunded.

Pack closed-toe shoes, water, a meal plan, and layers. For spring rafting, consider thermal gear. Keep your schedule flexible enough to move between the offices and activities without rushing.

Should you book the Durango zip line and rafting package?

Book it if you want a busy, well-organized day that combines forest views, zip lines, and Animas River whitewater. The guides appear to be the strongest part of the experience, and the small group size, included river transport, and clear instruction make the price easier to defend.

Choose a different plan if you dislike heights, struggle with a 400-foot uphill walk, need a quiet day, or want lunch and all transportation included. For everyone else, the best version is likely the longer 12-line option paired with rafting, provided you have the stamina and budget for a full seven-hour adventure.

FAQ

Where does the experience begin?

Meet at Mountain Waters Rafting and Adventure Company, 303 W College Dr, Durango, Colorado 81301, at 8:30 a.m.

Where does the activity end?

The experience ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the package last?

The combined zip line and rafting experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Is transportation included?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch between the two activities is not included, though a riverside snack is provided.

What are the zip line age and weight limits?

Children must be at least five years old to zip line and must be accompanied by an adult. The maximum stated weight is 230 pounds.

What should I wear for the zip line and spring rafting?

Closed-toe shoes are required for zip lining. Thermal gear rentals are available and recommended for spring rafting.