Canoe Outfitters Near Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins on The St. Vrain
The River’s Path offers a life-affirming, guided float amongst the cottonwoods, in silence and awe of the diversity of wildlife. You will have space to relax and find your connection with the river and nature as you guide your canoe down the St. Vrain east of Longmont, just north of Denver. Canoeing and kayaking are activities that can provide therapeutic benefits to those who partake in them.
“May we learn to walk Upon the earth With all their confidence And clear-eyed stillness So that our minds Might be baptized In the name of the wind And light and the rain.”
— John O’Donahue
Our St. Vrain Guided Canoe Day Trips
The River’s Path is the only canoe outfitter in Colorado that offers half and full-day guided canoeing trips. We are the only canoe company that has access to the St. Vrain River. This beautiful river is only half an hour from Boulder, Denver, and Fort Collins. Despite the short distance, canoeing the St. Vrain River feels like another world.
Half Day Canoe Trips
Experience our guided half-day canoe trip on the St. Vrain River. This is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy a few hours on the river. Book now for an unforgettable St. Vrain canoeing adventure and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Pricing:
- Per person: $119
- 6+ people group rate per person: $109
- 12+ group rate per person: $99
- 20+ group rate per person: $89
Full-Day Canoe Trips
For those seeking more time on the river, our full-day guided canoe trips are a perfect choice. Spend a day canoeing on the St. Vrain River and connect with nature. Our knowledgeable canoe guide will lead you through a day of fun and discovery.
Pricing:
- Per person: $139
- 6+ people group rate per person: $129
- 12+ group rate per person: $119
- 20+ group rate per person: $109
Can The River’s Path Lead a Custom Canoe Trip for My Group?
Yes! We can do private canoe trips for your group. These are some of our favorite groups to work with!
- Organizations focused on healing, personal transformation, and nature connection, serving
- at-risk youth
- single parents and their children,
- drug addiction recovery organizations,
- mental health programs
- Senior centers, independent living facilities, etc.
- Groups led by Wilderness Therapists and Life Coaches,
- Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts
- Church Youth Groups
- Companies who want to do a team-building retreat
- Realtors who want to offer gift certificates for a canoe trip to their clients
- Families, groups of friends, etc. with children ages 5+
- Nature lovers, bird watchers, etc.
- You, your friends, your family, and your visitors from out of town!
Why Should You Join St. Vrain River Canoe Trips?
This is a river journey like no other. It is slow. Contemplative. Beautiful. You will have enough excitement to keep you on your toes. Lots of laughter, play, and time to skip stones and swim in the river. This trip is perfect for ages 5 and older. It is ideal for everyone who loves the silence and beauty of the wild places in our beautiful state.
Discover the Beauty of the St. Vrain River
Embark on a journey through one of Colorado’s hidden gems—the St. Vrain River. This scenic waterway offers breathtaking views of lush landscapes while you navigate the river. You will have the river to yourself, and the diversity of birds is incredible! With The River’s Path St. Vrain guided canoe trips, every moment on the river will be truly magical.
Unforgettable Adventures Await
Canoeing on the St. Vrain River promises an adventure you won’t forget. At The River’s Path, we provide the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Apart from river canoeing, you will enjoy swimming and watching bald eagles, osprey, hawks, turtles, and deer.
Connect with Local Wildlife
St. Vrain canoe trips let you connect with the local wildlife. Keep an eye out for bald eagles, hawks, and owls soaring overhead, spiny softshell turtles slipping into the water, and deer grazing along the riverbanks. Our canoe guides are naturalists who will share fascinating insights about the animals and plants you encounter. Connecting with nature in this intimate way is a rare and rewarding experience that you will remember forever.
About St. Vrain River
The St. Vrain River is a vital waterway in northern Colorado that offers a rich natural history and diverse recreational opportunities. Named after the 19th-century fur trader Ceran St. Vrain, the river holds historical significance and is dotted with landmarks that reflect Colorado’s rich heritage.
Its headwaters are in the wild basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park south through the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and James Peak Wilderness Area west of Boulder, Colorado. The section we float with The River’s Path is below the confluence with Boulder Creek, so it usually has enough water to canoe year-round! The St. Vrain River joins the South Platte River 5 miles downstream of the section where we will canoe. The South Platte River continues through Colorado to Nebraska and then joins the Missouri River. The Missouri River joins the Mississippi River and finally flows into the Gulf of Mexico near New Orleans.
The St. Vrain River watershed is home to an abundance of wildlife: eagles, great blue herons, mink, beavers, deer, and over 100 species of birds. Its waters support lush riparian habitats that are essential for the region’s biodiversity.
For outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful place to wander, St. Vrain River is ideal. It’s quiet out here and it’s rare to anyone else on the river. You will be able to escape from the sounds of civilization. There are no crowds here unlike other nature destinations in the region. The tranquility of the place offers a refreshing change of pace from the rest of your life!
Our section of the St. Vrain River provides excellent opportunities for canoeing and birdwatching. In Lyons and Longmont, upstream from the section we canoe, the St. Vrain has great opportunities for fishing and kayaking near Denver. There are many ongoing conservation efforts to help the river’s ecological health.
If you are a local Coloradoan seeking a new adventure other than hiking on local trails, whitewater rafting, or visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, St. Vrain River canoeing is a perfect choice. It is suitable for anyone ages 5 and up. This beautiful river is only half an hour from Boulder, Denver, and Fort Collins. Despite the short distance, canoeing the St. Vrain River feels like another world.
The River’s Path is the only canoe company in Colorado that has access to the St. Vrain River. Plus, we are also the only canoe outfitter that offers half and full-day guided canoeing trips. We can customize your trip based on your skills and interests. Reach out to us and we will craft an itinerary suited to what you are looking for.
Why Choose The River’s Path for Guided Canoe Trips?
The River’s Path is your qualified guided canoe outfitter who provides a journey like no other. Here’s why we stand out.
Expert Canoe Guides
The River’s Path canoe outfitters are skilled paddlers and naturalists who will guide your trip. As the only outfitters who have access to the St. Vrain River, our team knows the ins and outs of canoeing on the river. We make every canoe trip safe, memorable, enjoyable, and truly magical. So if you’re looking for a river canoeing adventure, let The River’s Path be your guide.
Variety of Activities
St. Vrain canoeing trips offer much more than just paddling. Bring your binoculars for birdwatching, and cool off by swimming in the river. You can find lots of animal tracks, and search for toads and turtles too! You will have the time and space to meditate, reflect, and disconnect from your busy life. The River’s Path guided canoe trips will leave you relaxed and recharged. You’ll surely fall in love with the river!
Tailored Experiences
We can customize your canoe trip to match your interests and skill level. If you are an adventure seeker looking for a new exciting adventure with physical activity, a family seeking an engaging activity to bond, wildlife observers interested in a close encounter with wildlife, and a group of friends searching for a new weekend getaway, The River’s Path is your trusted canoe guide.
TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCES
What our happy paddlers say
We had an amazing time on the St Vrain with Lauren on Sunday with abnormally warm weather this April. With her passenger van and canoe trailer, she made the entire process of getting in and out of the river a breeze. Lauren did a great job training everyone learn how to properly handle their canoe and leading us down the river. While the trees hadn’t quite started springing out leaves, the birds were plentiful and easy to see in the various roosting areas that we passed by in our canoes. There was even a herd of cattle that crossed the river in front of us. We stopped for lunch along the way to relax and enjoy the scenery. Lauren made the entire day fun and we really enjoyed the entire experience.
-Gerrit Kruidhof
Lauren (the owner, and our guide) is a nice person and great to work with. The river is lots of fun — enough moving current to be exciting for people with experience, but chill enough that it’s good for beginners too. (There are some parts of the river where one can go one direction for a harder route and the other direction for an easier route.) I especially appreciated swimming in the river when we took a break. And the scenery is nice too — plenty of trees, and lots of interesting birds, like great blue herons and bald eagles.
-Bradley Monton
My husband and I took a trip down the St. Vrain recently with Lauren and her assistant, Julie. We’d canoed on lakes before, but this was our first trip down a river, so we were a bit nervous. Lauren patiently gave us many helpful tips and pointers along the way. She also pointed out some wonderful wildlife, including eagles, a heron rookery, and numerous other birds. She was very knowledgeable about the river and its ecology. In short, we had an absolutely wonderful day! I look forward to going on more canoe trips with Lauen in the future!
-Gillian Berman
How to Join Our St. Vrain River Canoe Day Trip
Experience the joy of canoeing in Colorado by joining our St. Vrain River canoe day trip! We cater to all skill levels and provide what you need. Here’s the step-by-step process to join.
- Book Your Canoe Trip here. Select the date that works best for you.
- Complete Your Online Booking. Once you choose your date, you’ll fill out our booking form with your details and payment. Our trips typically have a minimum of 4 people, but we do sometimes accommodate smaller groups! If you don’t have enough people signed up for your trip, we may ask you to come on a different day. Should the trip be canceled due to weather or water levels, we’ll invite you to reschedule your trip or offer a refund. Please text or call us at 303-859-7174 if you are looking to book within 48 hours of the activity.
- Receive Confirmation. You’ll receive a confirmation email with all the trip details. Make sure to review it thoroughly.
- Join the Adventure. On the day of your trip, we will meet in front of the Starbucks at 11169 E. I-25 Frontage Rd. in Firestone, CO. Our friendly canoe guides will be there to welcome you. Be prepared to have an amazing time exploring the St. Vrain River!
Things to Know
Your feet will definitely get wet and muddy. There is always a possibility of getting totally wet if your canoe happens to flip over. The river is generally quite shallow, so you will likely be able to stand up right away – flipping over isn’t a big deal! We will help you out if this happens – you are in good hands!
In fact, depending on the conditions, there may also be opportunities to jump in the water and float down on purpose. Our head guide Lauren tries to get wet as often as she can, because it’s fun!
You will likely see cliff swallows, red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, deer, osprey. The St. Vrain River is also home to:
- Great Horned Owls
- Snapping Turtles
- Western Tanagers
- Yellow Headed Blackbirds
- Eastern and Western Kingbirds
- Mink
- Beaver
- Muskrats
- Killdeer
- Kingfishers
- From Denver: Follow I-25 North to CO-119 in Weld County. Take exit 240 from I-25 N. Go east on 119 and take a left on the I-25 Frontage Road. The plaza containing the Starbucks will be just after this on your left.
- From Ft. Collins and points north: Follow I-25 South to CO-119 in Weld County. Take exit 240 from I-25 S. Go east on 119 and take a left on the I-25 Frontage Road. The plaza containing the Starbucks will be just after this on your left.
From Longmont or Boulder: Take CO-119 (Diagonal Highway) northeast through Longmont to Firestone. Go under I-25 and take a left on the I-25 Frontage Road. The plaza containing the Starbucks will be just after this on your left.
Typically, all of our day trips occur on sections of the St. Vrain River east of I-25 near Firestone, CO.
Custom day trips can be scheduled on hundreds of miles of river from Denver to Fort Collins! We float sections of the St. Vrain, Boulder Creek, the South Platte, the Big Thompson, and the Cache la Poudre rivers.
We specialize in guided experiences on the water, and we supply the necessary gear for the journey. If you are interested in only renting equipment without an expert guide, we recommend you get in touch with one of these other outfitters in the area: White Water Tubing and Rocky Mountain Paddleboard,
Yes, we offer guided canoe trips! We supply the canoe, paddles, personal flotation devices and expert guides for you and groups of up to 27. There are many more sections of the river to explore. We will do our best to cater to all of your needs and desires.
Custom trips can be set up on certain sections of the St. Vrain or, if you have a small group or are solo, just contact us to discuss. If you are interested in canoeing a different river along the Front Range, please contact Lauren Bond at 303-859-7174 or lauren@theriverspath.org.
The River’s Path: Canoe Outfitters on the St. Vrain
The River’s Path is your uniquely qualified guided canoe outfitter to provide a journey like no other. While the trip is slow, contemplative, and beautiful, you will have enough excitement to keep you on your toes, with lots of laughter, play, and time to skip stones and swim in the current. This trip is perfect for all ages and abilities, and for all of us who love the silence and beauty of the wild places in our beautiful state.
Still Have Guided Canoe Trip Questions?
Call 303-859-7174
Or Email Us