Colorado Packrafting Courses | Dolores, Animas & San Miguel

Dreaming about a spring or summer adventure to colorful ColoRADo? This stunning state is one of the central hubs for packrafting and packrafters around the world, with Alpacka Raft and Four Corners Guides both located in Mancos, which lies in the Southwest Corner of the state (i.e. the Four Corners ;). Our spring runoff feeds countless rivers, from the ones we guide (Animas, San Miguel and Dolores) to others that we run in state-of-the-art packrafts (Lime Creek, Vallecito, Piedra and so many more). Colorado offers paddlers everything from mountains to deserts, along the same rivers!

ANIMAS

ENJOY UP THE SPECTRUM OF RAPIDS & A WORLD-RENOWN KAYAK PLAY PARK IN THE MOUNTAIN TOWN OF DURANGO

THE DOLORES

PADDLE THE MOST FUN CLASS II to III TERRAIN, THROUGH ALPINE FORESTS TO RED SANDSTONE CANYONS

THE SAN MIGUEL

WE RUN THIS SMALLER, CREEKIER RIVER FROM JUST BELOW TELLURIDE TO THE CONFLUENCE OF THE DOLORES!

turn the blue lines on maps into trails

“Exceptional course filled with on water experience, some of the best boaters out there, and solid one-on-one instruction. Easily accelerates your learning curve and comes with top notch dinners at Scullbinder Ranch. Go get it!”

~Jeremiah Watt, Photographer

LEVEL 1 FOUNDATIONS

We all have to start somewhere! These courses are for new packrafters with little to no experience. Start from the beginning and develop the right habits.

LEVEL 2 ESSENTIALS

You’re more than just a beginner if you have some river boating experience in a single-person craft & a basic understanding of rivers. Check out our Essentials courses.

LEVEL 3 & 4 MASTERY

These courses are for boaters solid paddling up to Class II+-III+ rapids at all levels, doing wet re-entries every time and who can navigate the river expertly.

lEVEL 4 MASTERY

We all have to start somewhere! These courses are for new packrafters with little to no experience. Develop the right habits. Learn paddling, river reading and swiftwater rescue skills.

eXPEDITION COURSES

Lightweight travel is essential for traditional packrafting expeditions. Learn the skills you need to actualize multi-day adventures in the backcountry on your own, from packing to paddle techniques to rescue skills.

PACKRAFT SWIFTWATER RESCUE COURSES

All of our courses include some swiftwater safety training. But as of 2026, we run both non-certification and certification American Canoe Association Swiftwater Safety courses. Get on the waiting list!

A SOLSTICE PADDLE ON THE SAN MIGUEL

“This was such a sweet and short trip and was certainly one of the more entertaining ways we’ve spent the Solstice. If you have the time and the resources, I can’t emphasize what a fun outing this is.”

~John Watson, The Radavist.

why go with four corners guides?

Because we are awesome! We partner with the best guides in the world to give you a safe, exciting river experience. And we work with locals to give you an authentic cultural experience. Finally, we give back to local communities by training locals and paying them to guide.