Whitewater Raft Guide - Experienced

Arkansas Valley Adventures; Idaho Springs (CO); On-site; USD 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Gear discounts

Tips-based pay potential

Employer housing options

Job summary

AVA Rafting & Zipline is seeking Whitewater Raft Guides for the 2026 season across Idaho Springs, Buena Vista, Kremmling in Colorado and Moab in Utah. As a Raft Guide you will lead safe, educational river trips, engage guests, and provide an exceptional experience on Class III+ rapids.

Starting pay is 15.56 USD per hour with tips typically adding 10–20 USD per hour. Full-time and part-time roles available from June through September, with some onsite housing options.

Qualifications

• River experience preferred, experience on class III+ whitewater.
• Must be physically capable and safety-oriented.
• CPR/First Aid or equivalent training is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe, educational river trips and manage guests.
• Navigate commercial rafts and execute swiftwater rescue as needed.
• Maintain gear and equipment and uphold guest experience.
• Work 2-3 trips per day, typically around 9‑hour days.

Job description

Join the Team! At the Outlaw Group, we believe in working hard, playing hard, and constantly striving for excellence. Not only do we seek to provide unforgettable experiences for our guests, but we encourage our employees to reimagine the best of Colorado’s outdoor spaces and urban areas. We are adventurers, innovators, and explorers, and we look for employees that share this same passion for life. We intend to grow together, testing the boundaries of what is possible, as we constantly consider new ways to challenge ourselves and industry standards.

Job Description

AVA Rafting & Zipline: Raft Guides. Location(s): Idaho Springs CO, Buena Vista CO, Kremmling CO, Moab Utah. Work Season: Full time and Part Time, June 2026 to September 2026. Relocation?: Would you be moving to Utah for this summer gig? AVA does offer some employee campgrounds for accommodations. Pay Rate: Starting pay for experienced guides is 15.56 an hour, with tips adding anywhere from an additional 10 to 20 dollars an hour on average. Guides with additional experience are eligible for further compensation.

We are seeking enthusiastic, safety-oriented, and dynamic individuals to join our team as Whitewater Raft Guides for the upcoming season. As a Raft Guide, you will be the face of our company, responsible for leading safe, educational, and fun river trips while ensuring an exceptional customer experience. A Whitewater Raft Guide is responsible for safely navigating a commercial raft down the river while managing guests, providing interpretive information, and executing swiftwater rescue techniques as needed.

Have River Experience? AVA is looking for experienced raft guides to join our team across Utah. If you are looking for new water and great people we are the company for you! If you have experience in class III+ whitewater. *Experienced raft guides will need up-to date and verifiable river miles upon employment start and will be required to perform checkout runs for each stretch of river to be commercially guided with AVA* *NOTE* This job does require onsite location in Utah, the company does have options areas for employees to live during the summer.

What You'll Do

• Navigate rafts down a river while managing a great guest experience!
• Maintain equipment, gear, and the work area.
• Maintain situational awareness and readiness to help perform river rescue maneuvers if needed.
• 2 -3 trips a day typically ~9-hour workdays Having a great time outdoors with guest and coworkers!

What we Look For

• Physically capable individuals passionate about the outdoors.
• Strong teamwork skills.
• People with an emphasis on customer care.
• Experience on class III to class V whitewater.
• Individuals with up-to-date CPR, First Aid, and other training is always a plus!

Work Availability

Part Time < ~30 hours Full Time ~ 40 hours Holidays (4th of July)

Benefits

• The job is a service industry job meaning guest are encouraged to tip. Base pay is, with tipped income commonly adding an additional 10 to 20 dollars an hour.
• Gear discounts!
• AVA works with many companies in the outdoor industry, as an AVA employee you have access to discounts strictly for outdoor industry professionals across many major brands such as North face, Yeti, Patagonia, and more.

AVA Rafting & Zip Line is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

With over 25 years of experience in outdoor recreation and transportation, Outlaw embodies the Colorado experience and represents the best of Colorado’s outdoors, mountain communities, and urban areas. Across our brands, we seek to offer unparalleled guest service, foster connection between our guests and Colorado’s natural areas, and increase travel accessibility throughout the state. We believe in the importance of experience and connection, constantly looking for innovative and new ways to explore Colorado, expand our boundaries, and have fun in the great outdoors.