The Lower Animas River offers an easy introduction to whitewater rafting. Animas River trips begin in downtown Durango, just a few blocks from the Durango-to-Silverton railroad station.
     Class III Smelter Rapids, the largest rapid on the lower Animas, comes after a relaxing 2 miles (3 km) of Class I-II whitewater on the south side of Durango. As the raft trip proceeds south towards the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, old mine ruins, panoramic views of the southern Rockies, and occasional glimpses of wildlife, add a long-remembered dimension to the family vacation.
     Daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day, outfitters operate one- and two-hour trips and half-day and one-day excursions on the Animas. Although outfitter brochures recommend advance reservations, same- day raft trips are almost always possible. (Some outfitters have sales kiosks in Durango.) During summer's low-water levels, the Animas is an excellent rafting experience for families with young children.