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Guided Arkansas
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Discover Why Arkansas River Tours Is One of Colorado’s Most Trusted Rafting Outfitters

The Arkansas River offers some of the best whitewater rafting in Colorado, from family-friendly trips through Bighorn Sheep Canyon to adrenaline-pumping adventures in the Royal Gorge and Browns Canyon. Since 1973, Arkansas River Tours has helped hundreds of thousands of guests experience these iconic waterways with expert guides, quality equipment, and a commitment to safety that has earned the trust of generations of rafters.

A great rafting trip is about more than just the rapids, it’s about the people guiding you through them. Across thousands of reviews, guests consistently praise Arkansas River Tours’ guides for their professionalism, local knowledge, enthusiasm, and ability to make every trip fun, memorable, and safe for first-time rafters and experienced adventurers alike. Whether you’re visiting Colorado for the first time or returning for another run down the river, Arkansas River Tours delivers the kind of experience that keeps families, groups, and outdoor enthusiasts coming back year after year.

But don’t just take our word for it, see what real guests have to say about their Arkansas River rafting experience.

My experience with Arkansas River Tours was absolutely outstanding. From the moment I reached out to check availability and book my adventure, everything was smooth and clearly communicated. 

 

Mileidy Castillo
Arkansas River Tours Guest

My family of 5 had a great time with Billy, our guide. The tour company was thorough with the safety demonstrations and paddle techniques. The views at Royal Gorge were breathtaking. Billy gave us some history as we paddled down the river. What a wonderful way to see a different side of Colorado, don’t miss it.

Caroline H
Arkansas River Tours Guest

Our eight year olds said it was the most fun they ever had in their lives! The guides were fun, and knowledgeable, issuing orders to the paddles with firm accuracy. The trip down the river was safe, yet exhilarating. Will definitely go with them again.

Hugh B
Arkansas River Tours Guest

See What Else Our Guests Are Saying

All Reviews 5.0google logoGoogle 4.9facebook logoFacebook 5.0tripadvisor logoTripAdvisor 4.9
Overall Rating
5.0 2400 reviews
AI Generated Summary Customers overwhelmingly enjoyed their experiences with the rafting tours, highlighting the knowledgeable and friendly guides who made the trips enjoyable. Many reviews praised the fun and adventurous nature of the outings, with specific mentions of safety and comfort being prioritized. Families appreciated the tours as being suitable for all ages, ensuring everyone felt confident and excited. Overall, the rafting experiences were described as unforgettable and highly recommended. Praises: Knowledgeable and friendly guides, Fun and adventurous experience, Great for families, Safety and comfort emphasized, Memorable and thrilling rafting
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AI Summary
Based on 3167 reviews
Our guide, Hales , was super nice and made sure me and my brother had a great time!
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naomi cervnates
Jun 2026
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Such a fun experience! Our guide Jameson was super knowledgeable, helpful, and fun while on the river!
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C. Brock
Jun 2026
Isaiah was the best tour guide! He got us through the river with no issue. I am going to come back and do the royal gorge tour! I had so much fun and can’t wait to return for another trip.
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Courtney Gray
Jun 2026
Trent was amazing. Would definitely recommend him to anyone and we will use him again one day!
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Walton Shepherd
Jun 2026
We had an absolute blast on our family float with Arkansas River Tours, and Ali made the whole experience! Our group spanned multiple generations, and she had everyone — from the youngest to the oldest — feeling confident and excited on the water.From the start, Ali made sure we would be comfortable by getting us set up with wet suits and splash jackets. She took the time to teach us proper paddling technique and walked us through all the safety information clearly and thoroughly. Nothing felt rushed or like a checkbox — she genuinely made sure everyone understood and was comfortable before we set off.The float itself was the perfect mix of adventurous and fun while still feeling completely safe the whole time. Ali clearly knows the river well and has a great instinct for keeping the energy high without ever making you feel like you're in over your head.If you're looking for a memorable experience for the whole family, look no further — and ask for Ali. She's fantastic!
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Nikki Gibson
Jun 2026
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Best and most intense rapid ride I’ve done. From start to finish Charlie and Ryan were hands on and informative. HIGHLY recommend
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Tyler Graham
Jun 2026
Rafting the Colorado River in Clear Creek with Idaho Springs Rafting Co. was an unforgettable time! We had the river to ourselves and the thrill of Class IIII rapids definitely had my adrenaline pumping!! The team (Ryan, Everett, Charlie & Hank) were one of the best tour guides and assists that I’ve experience while rafting. I would highly recommend booking with them for an adventure you’ll never forget!
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Lauren Miller
Jun 2026
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Upon our arrival, we checked in at the office and were warmly greeted by a kind woman who offered a lot of helpful information. There were clean bathrooms for our use and filtered water to fill our bottles. We were then directed to another building on the property where we were fitted with booties and life jackets. We all gathered for instruction offered by our guides before we boarded the bus. I was terrified. But our guide, Ron Jon, was so reassuring. His demeanor was informal and relaxed yet he exuded confidence and was clearly very competent (without being pompous or arrogant). He gave us really good instruction on how to paddle and when...and he was also really encouraging, so we didn't feel inadequate for not knowing what to do. We felt very safe in his care and recommend RonJon highly. Good memories for our family 🙂
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Sara Lyons
Jun 2026