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Welcome to Idaho Springs

Idaho Springs is a former mining town tucked into a narrow canyon along I-70 west of Denver. The town was founded in 1859 by prospectors who found gold on Clear Creek that runs through the canyon. Idaho Springs later became popular for the hot springs near town, and the village is now a local favorite for rest stops on the way to and from the ski resort country to the west. River running is a top activity in the area, with Class II to V rapids running very near town. Zipline adventures, jeep safaris, and tours of the old Argo Gold Mill are great fun, and miles of hiking trails provide for calmer activity. The historic downtown is very walkable, with craft brews on tap and many restaurants to choose from.

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Things To Do In Idaho Springs
ARGO Mill Tour
Likely to Sell Out

ARGO Mill Tour

925
 1 hour 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$25
Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek

Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek

249
 3 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$105
Clear Creek Advanced half day

Clear Creek Advanced half day

New To The Site!
 2 hours 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$115
Upper Clear Creek Canyon (Intermediate)

Upper Clear Creek Canyon (Intermediate)

New To The Site!
 2 hours 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$89
Middle Clear Creek Canyon (Beginner)

Middle Clear Creek Canyon (Beginner)

New To The Site!
 2 hours 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$77
Raft the Gold Nugget Run on Clear Creek - Beginner Level All Ages

Raft the Gold Nugget Run on Clear Creek - Beginner Level All Ages

New To The Site!
 2 hours 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$86.90
Whitewater Raft Clear Creek - Intermediate Cannonball Run

Whitewater Raft Clear Creek - Intermediate Cannonball Run

New To The Site!
 3 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$97.90
Whitewater Raft Clear Creek - Dare the Advanced Gold Rush section

Whitewater Raft Clear Creek - Dare the Advanced Gold Rush section

New To The Site!
 3 hours 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$119.90
Clear Creek Whitewater Rafting Trip: Intermediate Level

Clear Creek Whitewater Rafting Trip: Intermediate Level

New To The Site!
 3 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$97.90
Clear Creek Whitewater Rafting Trip: Advanced Challenge

Clear Creek Whitewater Rafting Trip: Advanced Challenge

New To The Site!
 3 hours 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$119.90
Clear Creek Whitewater Rafting Trip: Beginner Level

Clear Creek Whitewater Rafting Trip: Beginner Level

New To The Site!
 2 hours 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$86.90
Idaho Springs Cliffside Zipline

Idaho Springs Cliffside Zipline

3
 1 hour 30 minutes  Free Cancellation
from
$95.23
Idaho Springs tours by style
Recent Idaho Springs traveler reviews
Cool experience
ARGO Mill Tour
Cool experience
jillianmT7895YA, Nov 2023
That was such a cool tour, the guide was super funny and had answers for every question we had! Thanks for the cool experience!
Who Knew, Mining Could Be So Interesting
ARGO Mill Tour
Who Knew, Mining Could Be So Interesting
881theresew, Nov 2023
The tour was very informative. The tour guide kept it fun and engaging. I learned a lot about mining in Colorado.
Great experience
YOU-DRIVE Sunset Jeep Tour in Idaho Springs (Denver)
Great experience
Jose_C, Sep 2023
this was amazing. great group great experience. would do a full day for sure. the drive, cars and views are just wonderful.
I will be back!
Mount Evans Via Ferrata Climbing Experience in Idaho Springs
I will be back!
759vincenta, Sep 2023
Fun and challenging would best describe this adventure. The only reason this works for non climber is the guides. We had the two best guides who were knowledgeable and friendly. They make sure you are safe and having fun the entire climb. We did the starlight climb which was Awesome. I recommend wearing something that has a zipper so you can bring your phone to capture this experience. It was wonderful. I will be back!
AVA ZIPLINING
Upper Clear Creek Whitewater Rafting plus Cliffside Zipline from Idaho Springs
AVA ZIPLINING
Road65237006264, Aug 2023
Tyler was the best guide! Reall enjoyed this ziplining! The views were great! What an experience, will do it again.
Can’t Miss!!!
Idaho Springs Cliffside Zipline
Can’t Miss!!!
ginahoover80, Aug 2023
Emma and Taylor are the best of the best! We had SO much fun (even though Mama was terrified the whole time). What a rush!
Great experience- 5 stars
Clear Creek Intermediate Whitewater Rafting near Denver
Great experience- 5 stars
Karen_G, Aug 2023
Aaron was a fantastic guide. If I were to do anything differently, it would be to go a little earlier in the season.
Great whitewater experience
Clear Creek Intermediate Whitewater Rafting near Denver
Great whitewater experience
Keith_C, Aug 2023
Had a great time rafting Clear Creek with Russell from Downstream Adventures. He was an experienced guide who led our raft with skill
Great zip lining and rafting guides and experience!
Gold Rush Rafting plus Cliffside Zipline from Idaho Springs
Great zip lining and rafting guides and experience!
Sandy C, Aug 2023
Tim and Nate were our guides for zip lining. Six amazing zip line courses and a few rope course walks between zip lines, too. I cannot emphasize enough how great Tim and Nate were - fun, informative and ultra safety conscious. Highly recommend!! We went rafting in the afternoon with Carissa as our guide. We were newbies and she did a great job teaching us the ropes. Both experiences were incredible. My family had a blast!
We liked it because we...
Clear Creek Gold Rush Whitewater Rafting from Idaho Springs
We liked it because we...
Anna_O, Aug 2023
We liked it because we had a chance to View beautiful scenes of the nature and get splashed with cool water
Amazing experience!
Idaho Springs Cliffside Zipline
Amazing experience!
773katyz, Aug 2023
So much fun! Kiefer and Finn were amazing guides! I am afraid of heights and they put me at ease. Plus, they had great sense of humors! We will be back!
Super Fun Day at Upper Clear Creek
Upper Clear Creek Half-Day Whitewater Rafting from Idaho Springs
Super Fun Day at Upper Clear Creek
turtletay, Aug 2023
Loved the Clear Creek Rafting trip! I was headed to Vail from Denver and this was the perfect mid-way adventure. Uber Clear Creek is a thrilling and challenging river with multiple Class 4 rapids, but Wyatt was an awesome guide and was able to coach us through it, even though our group was inexperienced and quite a bit out of sync ;) The guides and bus driver were all fun and full of personality and information. They clearly love what they do. They also have a nice shop. They take phots of you on the river and are available for purchase. $30 for one pic, but $50 for all (around 20 photos total). I did not purchase the photos myself because the majority were taken at a point in the river when we were instructed to get “Down!” So my face was not visible as I was following my guides instructions.
Sun and fun on the river
Upper Clear Creek Half-Day Whitewater Rafting from Idaho Springs
Sun and fun on the river
Susan_M, Aug 2023
Great family fun thought it would be a bit more intense. Although plenty of exciting rapids great guides
Great guides and a great time.
Upper Clear Creek Whitewater Rafting plus Cliffside Zipline from Idaho Springs
Great guides and a great time.
Todd R, Jul 2023
Had a great time at Idaho Springs. Squirt was our rafting guide and she was great. Danielle and Clay took me zip lining and it was just as fun.
Lots of fun
Clear Creek Gold Rush Whitewater Rafting from Idaho Springs
Lots of fun
Jill914, Jul 2023
Max was a great guide! We had a lot of fun and it was just the right amount of rapids for me & my husband
Best trip EVER!
Advanced Whitewater Rafting in Clear Creek Canyon near Denver
Best trip EVER!
182krystaf, Jul 2023
BEST 4th of July Adventure EVER!I chose to invest in memories with my family instead of fireworks and I am so glad this is the company I chose to do it with!From the kind voice on the other end of the phone when I called to make the reservation, and warm welcome at the counter when we check in, to the friendly greeting of the bus driver, in addition to the fantastic service and experienced guides; this trip could not have been a better experience! (Not to mention the "bang for your buck!")The word "intermediate" may sound intimidating, but the staff at Downstream ensure everyone is safe and has a blast!Whether it's your first time rafting, or you've done it in past, Downstream will make sure each trip is an adventure you will never forget!
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Free Cancellation
You'll receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance of most of our tours.
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