Adventure Overview

Dowd Chute Rafting

Glenwood Springs only Rafting company offering a Class IV/V adventure. Located at our Vail Boathouse 45 minutes east of Glenwood Springs. 

This is it, a pure class IV+ whitewater adventure, and an early-season favorite of our guides! If you’re looking for whitewater because you crave a challenge, this is your trip. Dowd Chute on the high-altitude, alpine Eagle River features continuous rapids and lots of paddling! The narrow Dowd Chute Rapid extends nearly a quarter of a mile and offers a thrilling elevation drop, so get ready to be splashed.

Because this is a physically challenging section, we recommend previous rafting experience.

This section relies on the spring snow-melt run-off, once the run-off slows down in early July, check our Numbers Half Day Rafting Trip on the Arkansas River at our Buena Vista Boat house for another great Class V section.

This trip departs from our boathouse near Vail, CO, about an hour drive from Glenwood Springs.  Once you arrive at the boathouse, it is a quick shuttle to and from the Eagle River.  Although it is a bit longer drive, this section of river is well worth it if you are looking for a bigger challenge!