River Cruises
For those interested in meeting up with other paddlers, Colorado Whitewater offers free river cruises arranged by volunteers. These trips allow you to step it up and try a new section of river with the support of experienced lead and sweeps who know that section. Or if you have a favorite run, then simply come along and have fun with a group of boaters! The trips are not a teaching or training exercise, and members who participate are responsible for their own conduct and safety.
Learn more about leading or participating on a cruise.
In order to participate in any cruise, you must be a CW member and sign a waiver.
To sign a CW waiver click here.
BECOME A CRUISE LEADER OR SWEEP: We can't do this without you! We are always looking for experienced boaters to lead or sweep a trip. Contact cruises@coloradowhitewater.org to add your River Cruise to the schedule or lead one listed below.
Disclaimer
Participation in Colorado Whitewater cruises, including leading and sweeping cruises, is voluntary, and all participants are responsible for their own safety and equipment. Participation in any CW activity requires a signed annual waiver acknowledging and assuming the risks associated with whitewater paddling, including serious injury or death.
Cruise Leads and Sweeps are fellow volunteers and are not professional guides, instructors, or safety personnel. They coordinate logistics and provide peer guidance as part of a group of self-reliant paddlers.
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2026 Cruise Schedule:
Please use the schedule below to help plan on joining one of our cruises.
River & section names in BOLD will become blue signup links as Cruise Leaders and Sweeps are confirmed and we know the cruise is happening. Check back regularly for updates.
Cruise Leaders will follow up with additional details once you are signed up. Please note that your participation will be confirmed only after the Cruise Leader verifies your skill level is appropriate for the cruise.
For all cruises, prior experience running the listed class of whitewater is required. If you're unsure whether your skills match the cruise requirements, please reach out to the Cruise Leader for that trip or email us at cruises@coloradowhitewater.org.
Note: All cruises are subject to rescheduling or cancellation due to river conditions and the availability of volunteer leaders and sweeps.
Interested in volunteering? We’d love your help! Please contact us at cruises@coloradowhitewater.org.
March
- Sunday March 8, South Platte- Brighton- Ft Lupton Class I-II
May
- Saturday, May 2 - Grizzly or Cemetery (depending on flow!) - Colorado / Roaring Fork - III/II+
- Saturday, May 9 - Parkdale (Pinnacle to Parkdale) - Arkansas - III
- Friday, May 15- Sunday, May 17 - CW Training Camp Weekend!
- Saturday, May 23 - Rincon - Arkansas - II+/III - See Jane Paddle cruise!
- Saturday, May 23 - Big Bend to Salida - Arkansas - II - BEGINNER CRUISE! (come help out our learning boaters!)
- Sunday, May 24 - Fractions - Arkansas - III - x 2! Let’s run two cruises!
- Sunday, May 24 - Milk Run - Arkansas - II - BEGINNER CRUISE! (come help out our learning boaters!)
- Friday, May 29- Sunday, May 31 - CW Roaring Fork Weekend!
June
- Saturday, June 7 - Rincon (Salida East to Rincon)- Arkansas - II+/III - BEGINNER-MEDIATE cruise! (come help out our learning boaters!)
- Saturday, June 7 - BV Town Run (BV WW Park to Johnson Village - Arkansas - III
- Sunday, June 8 - Milk Run - Arkansas - II - BEGINNER CRUISE! (come help out our learning boaters!)
- Sunday, June 8 - Browns - Arkansas- III - x 2! Let’s run two cruises!
- Friday, June 12- Sunday, June 14 - CW Poudre Weekend!
- Saturday, June 20 - Shoshone - Colorado - III/IV
- Sunday, June 21 - Upper Taylor - Taylor - III/IV
- Sunday, June 21 - Filter Plant - Poudre - II - BEGINNER CRUISE! (come help out our learning boaters!)
- Saturday, June 27 - Fractions - Arkansas - III
- Sunday, June 28 - Lower Browns - Arkansas- III
- Sunday, June 28 - Deckers - SFSP - II+/III - See Jane Paddle cruise!
July
- Friday, July 10- Sunday, July 12 - CW Arkansas Weekend!
- Saturday, July 18 - BV Town Run - Arkansas - III
- Sunday, July 19 - Gunnison Town Run - Gunnison - II+/III
- Sunday, July 19 - Browns - Arkansas - III - See Jane Paddle cruise! x 2!
- Saturday, July 25 - Shoshone or Cemetery - Colorado / Roaring Fork - III/IV - dependent on flow and lead!
- Sunday, July 26 - Bridges - Poudre - III
August
- Saturday, August 1 - Lower Blue - Blue - III
- Sunday, August 2 - Bridges - Poudre - III
- Saturday, August 1- Sunday, August 2 - See Jane Paddle Weekend on the Ark!
- Saturday, August 8 - Royal Gorge - Arkansas - IV
- Sunday, August 9 - Parkdale (Pinnacle to Parkdale) - Arkansas- III
- Saturday, August 15 - Deckers - SFSP - II+/III
- Saturday, August 22 - Lower Blue - Blue - III
- Sunday, August 30 - Foxton - NFSP - III/IV
September
- Friday, Sept 4-Sunday, Sept 6 - Bailey Fest Weekend!
- Sunday, Sept 13 - Cemetery or Grizzly - Roaring Fork or Colorado - III / II+ - Dependent on flow
- Friday, Sept 18- Sunday, Sept 20 - CW Colorado Weekend!
October
- Saturday, October 3 - Royal Gorge - Arkansas - IV
November
- Saturday, October 7 - Royal Gorge - Arkansas - IV
Past year cruise calendars