H Lorusso
Jun 15, 2026
The staff are some of the nicest and most accommodating people. Very nice time!
Shannon Johnson
Aug 10, 2026
We had to shift from tubing to kayaking due to the very low river, but had a fantastic time. Staff was friendly and helpful. Would recommend 10/10 and will be back (hopefully when the river is running).
Jeff Shipp
Jul 27, 2026
We had reserved the tubing package, but unfortunately the river level was too low. Tobi was able to direct us to a nearby lake to use the equipment. It was a great time with the family. Thanks to Pagosa Outside for making a wonderful family outing happen. Will definitely use them again.
Aria M.Ward
Jul 16, 2026
Rental staff was awesome to work with… Easy to pick up and drop and great equipment and teaching on how to use …
Gerry K
Jul 11, 2026
Great outfitter to do business with. Very flexible in the event Mother Nature doesn't cooperate. After trying to raft or tube (water too low) they helped us with inflatable kayaks. Awesome! Teenage boys had a blast on Lake Hatcher. Relatively simple transport, inflate, and deflate. They were super friendly and helpful.
S. McNamara
Jul 4, 2026
DO THIS! Affordable family fun!! Pagosa Outdoors has high quality durable tubes (not like a walmart floaty but like river raft material) and rental includes river shoes & life-vest too. They have great gift-shop stuff too, and they dont price gouge on lil things you mighta forgot like sunscreen chapstick, sunhat, drysack for phone. Everyone is super friendly and the float is a TON of fun (even with the river low). Pro-tip: grab a sturdy river stick to help navigate low spots)
Anna Dillane
Jun 24, 2026
We rented a tandem kayak and had it for 24 hours. We were allowed to pick it up the day before so that we could have it overnight. It was surprisingly easy to inflate and deflate and they even gave us two inflators so we could work on it together. They supplied paddles and life jackets. We went and explored lake Hatcher and had just the best day! The staff was informative and helpful and the experience couldn't have been better!
Shay Waters
Jun 22, 2026
Fantastic adventure. Friendly staff, very knowledgeable. Highly recommend checking them out for your water adventures!
Saa Aath
Jun 16, 2026
Great time! Highly recommend the deluxe. They take you up and you get out rightacross the street from them to return your tube or go for another run! Photos are fun!
H Lorusso
Jun 15, 2026
The staff are some of the nicest and most accommodating people. Very nice time!
Shannon Johnson
Aug 10, 2026
We had to shift from tubing to kayaking due to the very low river, but had a fantastic time. Staff was friendly and helpful. Would recommend 10/10 and will be back (hopefully when the river is running).
At Pagosa Outside, we believe the best days start on the river.
We’re a family-owned river outfitter and gear shop in downtown Pagosa Springs, Colorado, with deep roots in the San Juan River and the community that grew up around it. Our experience here spans decades of floating, fishing, guiding, exploring, working and raising families along the river corridor and throughout the surrounding San Juan Mountains.
Today, we put that local knowledge to work helping guests discover Pagosa from the water—through guided San Juan River rafting, whitewater tubing, DIY tube rentals, inflatable kayak and SUP rentals, and a shop full of river gear we actually use ourselves.
Some days call for splashy whitewater through downtown. Others are better for tubing, soaking in the hot springs or paddling a quiet mountain lake.
What ties it all together is pretty simple: good people, serious river gear, thoughtful logistics and deep local experience.
Whether it’s your first visit to Pagosa Springs or your fiftieth, we’ll help you find the best way to get outside and make the most of the water.
Leave town behind and settle into Pagosa’s signature rafting experience—13 miles of San Juan River scenery, playful whitewater and about three hours on the water. Mesa Canyon gives you enough time to truly go somewhere. Roads and buildings disappear as the river winds through a remarkably preserved canyon corridor of sandstone walls, pine-covered slopes and quiet cottonwood bottoms. Between the scenery, splashy Class II–III rapids, a riverside break and the signature drop at Llama Falls, the trip feels like a genuine river journey rather than a quick ride through town. It’s an outstanding choice for families and first-time rafters, but the appeal goes well beyond that. Couples, groups, scenery lovers and experienced river travelers choose Mesa Canyon for the secluded setting, changing landscape and enough time on the river to truly unplug. And it’s all-inclusive done right: river shoes, appropriate splash gear, rafting equipment, transportation and FREE digital trip photos are all part of the experience.
Unlock a different side of the San Juan. The West Fork is Pagosa Outside’s premier rafting experience—a limited-season, 14-mile river journey combining exclusive private access, Pagosa’s most technical whitewater, wild mountain scenery, and a finish right through downtown Pagosa Springs. The upper run is what sets it apart. Tight, boulder-filled Class III–III+ rapids demand quick moves, precise lines, teamwork, and active paddling. Then the river changes completely, opening into quieter miles through the upper San Juan Valley before building again through Pagosa’s downtown whitewater park. It’s rugged, varied and unlike our other rafting trips. And it’s all-inclusive done right: wetsuit, helmet, life jacket, river shoes, appropriate splash gear, rafting equipment, transportation, and FREE digital trip photos are all part of the experience.
Get straight to the good part. Splash & Dash is Pagosa Outside’s streamlined rafting experience—real San Juan River whitewater packed into about two hours without turning rafting into an all-day production. It’s an easy fit for families, first-time rafters and anyone who wants a memorable river adventure while still leaving plenty of time for the hot springs, lunch downtown or whatever comes next. Efficient trip logistics mean less standing around and more time actually experiencing the river. And it’s all-inclusive done right: river shoes, appropriate splash gear, rafting equipment, transportation and FREE digital trip photos are all part of the experience.
Explore the stunning lakes and waterways of Pagosa Springs with our inflatable kayak rentals. Perfect for adventurers of all ages and skill levels, our kayaks are stable, lightweight, and easy to transport—making them ideal for experiencing stunning Pagosa destinations from the water. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful day on the water or a self-guided adventure, our rentals provide everything you need to paddle with confidence and ease. Each rental includes a premium inflatable kayak, paddle, life jacket, and pump, plus a quick orientation to help you get familiar with the gear before heading out. With flexible pick-up and drop-off times, you can plan your adventure at your own pace. Paddle through the alpine beauty of Pagosa’s lakes or take a splashing float through the rapids of the San Juan River. Book your Pagosa Springs kayak rental today and discover why Pagosa Outside is the go-to outfitter for unforgettable outdoor experiences.
A good river trip is built from a lot of small decisions: choosing the right trip, developing and using river equipment we trust, designing and running efficient shuttles, hiring and training an experienced crew, and paying attention to what Mother Nature has planned.
We keep our operation deliberately hands-on, with professional guides, purpose-built river gear, smaller departures, thoughtful logistics and honest recommendations about what makes sense that day.
We also include the details that make a day on the water easier—river shoes and appropriate splash gear on rafting trips, FREE digital photos on guided rafting and Deluxe Tubing, changing rooms and lockers at our downtown shop, and a crew that knows the river you’re about to float.
From first-time rafters and families to experienced river people, our goal is the same:
Do the little things well and help you have a really good day on the water.
Knowing a river takes time. Our roots in Pagosa Springs and along the San Juan run through decades of floating, fishing, guiding, exploring and working on this river corridor.That experience shows up...
Our roots in Pagosa Springs and along the San Juan run through decades of floating, fishing, guiding, exploring and working on this river corridor.
That experience shows up in the little decisions—choosing the right trip, reading changing conditions, using the right equipment and knowing how to make the most of the river we have that day.
We include the things that make a river day work better. Guided rafting and Deluxe Tubing include the river gear, transportation and practical extras you actually need—plus FREE digital trip photos. ...
Guided rafting and Deluxe Tubing include the river gear, transportation and practical extras you actually need—plus FREE digital trip photos. Our downtown shop adds changing rooms, lockers, secure key storage and the river-day essentials you forgot at home.
Fewer add-ons. Fewer little decisions. More time outside.
Our shop at 350 Pagosa Street sits on Main Street beside the San Juan River, downtown whitewater park, Riverwalk and hot springs corridor. Rafting trips begin and end here. DIY tubers can walk direct...
Rafting trips begin and end here. DIY tubers can walk directly to the river. Deluxe Tubing guests finish near their vehicle and dry clothes. And anyone can stop in and ask a real person what makes sense on the water that day.
Right where a river outfitter should be.
Pagosa Springs sits in a quieter corner of southwest Colorado, tucked into the San Juan Mountains far from the state’s biggest cities and busiest resort corridors. You don’t usually end up here by accident—you pretty much have to mean to come.
That’s a big part of the appeal.
Pagosa still feels like a mountain town rather than a polished resort. It’s a little rough around the edges, deeply local, surrounded by millions of acres of national forest and wilderness, and built around its hot springs and the San Juan River running straight through the middle of downtown.
Within a compact stretch of the San Juan you’ll find parks, the Riverwalk, whitewater features and riverside hot springs, with local shops, restaurants and the rest of downtown just steps away.
The river gives summer in Pagosa its rhythm. Spring runoff brings San Juan River rafting and whitewater. As flows settle, downtown shifts toward river tubing. Nearby mountain lakes add inflatable kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding when you want to explore beyond the river.
Pagosa Outside is right in the middle of it at 350 Pagosa Street—on Main Street beside the downtown river corridor, whitewater park and hot springs.
It takes a little intention to get to Pagosa. We think that’s still one of its best features.
What to know about rafting, tubing, rentals, river conditions and choosing the right Pagosa river adventure.
Pagosa Outside is a family-owned river outfitter and gear shop in downtown Pagosa Springs, Colorado. We offer guided San Juan River rafting, Deluxe Whitewater Tubing Trips, DIY tube rentals, inflatable kayak and SUP rentals, disc golf rentals, river gear and local river-condition information.
Rafting is generally a spring runoff activity that is available in May and June, while tubing usually follows as the San Juan settles into summer flows in July and August. The exact transition changes every year with snowpack, weather and rainfall, so current river conditions matter more than a fixed calendar date.
Check the Pagosa Outside River Desk for current river flow, rafting and tubing status, official forecasts and our local read on what the river is likely to do next. The river changes throughout the season, and our recommendations change with it.
No previous rafting experience is required; our guides teach you what you need to know before launching. Tubing is self-guided, so tubers should be competent swimmers who are comfortable in cold, moving water and prepared to self-rescue.
Choose rafting if you want a guided whitewater trip during the high water season in May and June. Choose Deluxe Tubing if you want the shuttle, gear and logistics handled for you. Choose DIY Tube Rentals if you want to set your own pace, handle the river logistics yourself and still use purpose-built river equipment.
Reservations are strongly recommended for guided rafting and Deluxe Tubing because scheduled departures have limited capacity. Rentals can often accommodate walk-ins, but booking online makes pickup faster and helps guarantee the equipment you want.
Come dressed to get wet, use sunscreen and bring water and dry clothes for afterward. Exactly what gear is included depends on the activity, and each product page lists the details. Our shop also carries river shoes, sun protection, waterproof phone cases, sunglass retainers and other river-day essentials.
We’re at 350 Pagosa Street in downtown Pagosa Springs, Colorado, on Main Street beside the San Juan River, whitewater park, Riverwalk and hot springs corridor. Rafting trips begin and end here, and downtown tubers can walk directly to the river.
Yes. Many of our guests are families and first-timers. The best activity depends on ages, swimming ability, river conditions and how much adventure your group wants, so we’re happy to help point you toward the option that makes the most sense.
Absolutely. Our shop crew works directly with the trips, rentals and river every day. Stop in, call or check the Pagosa River Desk, and we’ll help you figure out what makes sense for the conditions and the kind of day you’re looking for.
September 4, 2026
I have been in the river business long enough to learn two things. First, the San Juan River will do whatever it wants. Second, everyone assumes I kno...
Read More: How We Read and Predict the San Juan River: The Story Behind Pagosa’s River Desk and Black Hat Hydrology Lab
August 22, 2026
Pagosa Springs may be a small mountain town, but the country surrounding it is enormous. Drive east and the highway climbs toward waterfalls, headwate...
Read More: Explore Pagosa Springs in Every Direction: A Local Guide to the Country Beyond Town
August 16, 2026
West of downtown Pagosa Springs, Highway 160 leaves the San Juan River as the river turns south and the highway climbs Putt Hill. At the top, the land...
Read More: Explore West of Pagosa Springs: Lakes, Trails, Local History and the Changing Forest
You don’t need to know exactly what you want to do before you get here.
Want a short rafting trip? We’ve got one. Want to disappear into Mesa Canyon for half a day? We do that too. Want us to handle the tubing logistics? Book Deluxe. Want a tube and the freedom to figure out your own river day? Grab a rental. Want to paddle a mountain lake, find the right piece of river gear or just ask what the San Juan River is doing today?
Come find us on Main Street. We’ll point you in the right direction.
