About

Mission

Experience Nature's Magic Together

At Pagosa Outside, we’re dedicated to delivering an exceptional river adventure experience that stands out for its personalized touch and genuine local charm. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is reflected in every aspect of our service, from our friendly and knowledgeable guides to our meticulously maintained equipment. We pride ourselves on offering exclusive access to some of the most beautiful and exciting river sections in the area, ensuring a unique and memorable experience for each guest. By focusing on small group sizes and a tailored approach, we create a more intimate and enjoyable atmosphere, making your time on the river truly special. With our local expertise and passion for the outdoors, we strive to make every trip with us an unforgettable adventure.

Raft Guides, Drivers and Shop Staff

Our People Make the Difference

At Pagosa Outside, we know that a great adventure starts with great people—and our team is the heart of everything we do. Our guides and staff aren’t just outdoor enthusiasts; they’re local legends, professional fun-hogs, and all-around awesome humans who live and breathe the Pagosa lifestyle. Whether it’s paddling the river, or capturing your action photos, or just sharing their love for this mountain town, they bring passion, energy, and expertise to every trip.

Our crew is highly trained, licensed, certified, and—most importantly—experienced in making your time in Pagosa unforgettable. From safety skills to insider tips, they’ve got you covered with confidence and a smile.

And when you call us, you’re not talking to a call center. You’re chatting with real, local folks who know the ins and outs of your trip and all the best ways to enjoy Pagosa Springs. We take pride in being your go-to source for kayak rentals, SUP rentals, tubing adventures, and everything else you need to get out there and play on the river. When you choose Pagosa Outside, you’re choosing the best gear, the best guides, and the best experience in town. Let’s make some memories!

Story

From Humble Beginnings to Beloved Outfitter

When we started at Pagosa Outside almost two decades ago, our vision was clear but humble. As a small-town Pagosa Springs river outfitter, we wanted to provide professional rafting and river tubing experiences that we’d be proud to share with our own friends and family. Growing up in Pagosa Springs, we dreamed of creating a vibrant river community in a town where that culture didn’t yet exist. We set out to build more than just a business; we wanted to create a family and culture of skilled, knowledgeable and passionate Pagosa river guides. Most importantly, we wanted them to share the magic of floating on the River in Pagosa, knowing that once someone experiences a quality Pagosa rafting trip or a day of Pagosa River tubing, they would be forever connected to the beauty of this free-flowing mountain river.

We started with little more than passion and grit—a raft guide with a decade of nomadic wave chasing and a recent college grad navigating student loans. Along the way, life blessed us with two amazing daughters who have become our biggest inspiration. Today, it’s inspiring to see how far we’ve come. From humble beginnings to becoming a cornerstone of the Pagosa Springs river scene, we’re proud of the journey and excited for all the adventures still to come.

Why choose us?

The Best River Adventures in Pagosa Springs—For Every Skill Level

At Pagosa Outside, we don’t just run trips—we create river days you’ll never forget. As the #1 choice for rafting and tubing on the San Juan River, our adventures blend splashy fun, scenic beauty, and small-town charm into one unforgettable experience.

You’ll float through hidden canyons, cruise past towering cottonwoods, and soak in some of the best views in Pagosa Springs, Colorado—all while being guided by a crew that knows this river like the back of their paddle.

From first-timers to seasoned river rats, our trips are designed to fit a wide range of ages and experience levels. With smaller group sizes, smooth logistics, top-of-the-line gear, and carefully chosen routes, we keep things safe, simple, and seriously fun.

We believe there’s something life-changing about floating a free-flowing mountain river—and judging by what our guests tell us, we’re not alone.

Adventurous

Where Scenic Beauty Meets Splashy Fun

At Pagosa Outside, we’re river people to the core—and we love sharing the thrill of the San Juan River with fellow adventurers. Whe...

Where Scenic Beauty Meets Splashy Fun

At Pagosa Outside, we’re river people to the core—and we love sharing the thrill of the San Juan River with fellow adventurers. Whether you're paddling through crashing whitewater on the West Fork or floating mellow currents beneath cottonwoods downtown, we bring the perfect mix of excitement and laid-back mountain vibes to every trip.

Our guides aren’t just safety pros—they’re storytellers, nature nerds, and local legends. As you cruise through protected canyons and surreal high-country scenery, they’ll point out hidden waterfalls, mountain wildlife, and share the kinds of stories you won’t find in a guidebook.

This isn’t just a ride—it’s your front-row seat to the wild side of Pagosa Springs, with just the right amount of splash.

Family-Friendly

Looking for something the whole crew can enjoy? Our rafting and tubing trips are a splash hit for families with kids, teens, and adults alike. Whether you're floating together in a double tube or s...

Looking for something the whole crew can enjoy? Our rafting and tubing trips are a splash hit for families with kids, teens, and adults alike. Whether you're floating together in a double tube or sharing laughs on a guided raft, we make it easy to have a fun, active day on the river.

We’ll get you set up with the right gear—including youth life jackets, river shoes, and commercial-grade tubes—and point you toward the best trip for your group. Plus, every guided adventure comes with a free digital photo album, so the memories come home even if your phone stays dry.

Authentic Colorado Adventure

No headsets, no matching vests, no over-scripted tours—just real moments, river laughs, and a genuine Pagosa Springs experience from start to finish. Our trips are designed to be natural and unsc...

No headsets, no matching vests, no over-scripted tours—just real moments, river laughs, and a genuine Pagosa Springs experience from start to finish. Our trips are designed to be natural and unscripted, with just enough structure to keep things flowing and just enough freedom to make them your own.

You’ll paddle, float, and splash through a day that doesn’t feel manufactured—it just feels good. The kind of fun that comes from doing something real in a beautiful place, with people who know how to make it all click.

Location

Discover Pagosa Springs, Colorado — A Hidden Gem in the San Juan Mountains

Located in southwest Colorado, Pagosa Springs is a scenic mountain town known for its natural hot springs, trout-filled rivers, and endless outdoor recreation. Nestled in the San Juan Mountains, this small town is surrounded by over 2.5 million acres of national forest, offering year-round adventure for visitors of all ages.

Popular things to do in Pagosa Springs include rafting the San Juan River, hiking, fishing, wildlife watching, and soaking in the famous Mother Spring, the world’s deepest geothermal hot spring. With a walkable downtown, friendly locals, and easy access to Colorado’s wild side, Pagosa Springs is the perfect destination for families, couples, and outdoor enthusiasts looking for an unforgettable Rocky Mountain experience.

Frequently asked questions

Most frequent questions and answers

We offer rafting, tubing, kayak and SUP rentals.

You can book your adventure online or contact us directly for assistance.

We provide all the necessary equipment on all of our guided trips.

Expect to get wet!
Swimsuit or quick-dry clothing
Quick-drying shirt to wear under splash top when it’s cold
Water bottle
Shoes or sandals that can get wet (no flip flops)
Sunscreen
Sunglasses with strap
Hat for sun protection
We supply life jackets, splash gear, helmets, booties and wet suits when it’s appropriate

YES. You don’t need to be an Olympic caliber swimmer but everyone in your group needs to have a swimming ability that is appropriate to the difficulty level of the trip you choose.

In the unlikely event that you fall out of the raft, you are expected to be able to take an active role in your own rescue by swimming aggressively back to the boat or to shore.

Selecting the appropriate trip for your swimming ability allows you to enjoy the trip and have fun rather than being fearful of having an “out of boat experience.”

The Splash and Dash has scenic floating as well as fun waves through the downtown whitewater park. It is around an hour on the water and has short shuttles to and from the river. 50 lb minimum

Mesa Canyon trips are great for first-timers, families, and anyone looking for a less intense rafting experience. The canyon below Pagosa is scenic, isolated and a great 1/2 day escape. 50 lb minimum

Our West Fork trips are a perfect 1/2 day intermediate experience for anyone looking for whitewater thrills – first-timers included. 90lb minimum.

Please email or give us a call if you need help deciding what trip is right for you or your group.

May and June are best for whitewater rafting thrills. Peaks flows usually happen in late May or early June. By July, river flows in Pagosa are normally too low to raft.

July and August are warmer, but the river flows are usually much lower. We open our river tubing trips once the river drops below 400cfs on the Pagosa River Gauge. Normally this happens in late June or early July but can vary by a few weeks depending on how much snow the mountains received over the winter.

Yes, we highly recommend making an online reservation in advance to secure your preferred trip and time. Walk-ins are welcome but subject to availability.

If you have questions, you can call the shop – (970)264-4202 – during our May-August operating season or drop us an email at info@pagosaoutside.com year-round.

Our business is a part of the service industry. If you feel that your guide, driver or shop staff has done a great job to enhance your experience, a gratuity is greatly appreciated. We have a tip jar that is shared by all staff at the end of each day. Cash or Venmo is greatly appreciated but we are happy to add tips onto your booking as well.

Yes. Every participant must complete a state-required liability waiver form. A link to the e-waiver will be included in your trip confirmation email so they can be completed before checking-in for your trip.

At Pagosa Outside, we offer a variety of rental options to enhance your adventure in the Pagosa Springs area. Our rental services include tube rentals Pagosa Springs, SUP rental, Pagosa Springs kayak rental, and disc golf rentals.

Book Your Adventure Now.

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