Colorado is well-known for its nature—it’s kind of our thing. You know that some of the country’s best 14ers are in Colorado, we have the world’s biggest flattop mountain and we have some of the most renowned skiing areas in the world. But did you know that we’re also known for our rafting? With multiple major rivers snaking through our state, it’s no wonder Colorado is a hub for whitewater rafting.
Ready to plan your Colorado whitewater rafting trip? Whether you’re a rafting newbie or a seasoned pro, there is a river for you. Here is the best whitewater rafting in Colorado!
Bighorn Sheep Canyon – Arkansas River
The Location: Canon City or Cotopaxi Outposts
Half-Day: 3.5 hours in total
Full-Day: 6+ hours in total
The Water: Class II-III rapids
Bighorn Sheep Canyon is where we’d send any group looking for a great introduction to whitewater rafting. You’ll ride over some fun rapids that will bounce you around without ever leaving its ‘beginner-friendly’ status. There are at least 16 named rapids on the full-day tour and nine on the ½ day tour, like Spikebuck, Shark’s Tooth, and Double Dip.
As for the scenery, it’s in the name! The wildlife views in this canyon are easy to come by! You may raft past the canyon’s namesake, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, or be lucky enough to glimpse other wildlife like deer, wild horses or coyotes on the rocky canyon outcroppings and trout jumping out of the river.
This section of the river requires a minimum age of seven years old, making it a great family option.
Lower Clear Creek Rafting – Clear Creek
The Location: Dumont, CO
Half-Day: 3+ hours in total
The Water: Exciting whitewater with consistent class IV-V rapids
This one is for the daredevils! Class-V rapids are hard to come by in the commercial rafting world, but you can find some great ones with Lower Clear Creek rafting. This is the most challenging trip we offer, and your expert guide will navigate you through some of the biggest rapids in the state!
The water is more white than blue, so you know that you’re in for a great time with hardly any breaks in the whitewater. Everyone who comes on this ultimate adventure has to be sixteen or older, in good physical condition, and able to swim. Previous rafting experience isn’t required, but it is highly recommended.
Royal Gorge Rafting – Arkansas River
The Location: Cañon City, CO
Half-Day: 3.5 hours in total
Full-Day: 6+ hours in total
The Water: 20+ named rapids, rated class III-IV+
Nestled between towering, 1000-foot-tall canyon faces, Royal Gorge is one of the region’s most dramatic backdrops for rafting. Our most popular trip, the Royal Gorge raft trip, is an exciting section of the Arkansas River that features views and rapids alike. There is only a brief moment of mellow water to get your river legs before you plunge into miles of rapid-filled fun. You’ll come across rapids like Sledgehammer, Wallslammer, Boateater, Narrows, and Sunshine Falls as you navigate the over 20 rapids in this section. Royal Gorge is full of rapids ranging from thrilling class-III to heart-pounding class-IV+ for a real party.
You’ll raft alongside the Royal Gorge train and have a view of the Royal Gorge Bridge in the distance – the tallest suspension bridge in the United States! All the while, you experience some of the best whitewater in Colorado.
Middle Clear Creek Rafting – Clear Creek
The Location: Dumont, CO
Quarter Day: 2 hours in total
The Water: Class-II-III rapids
Want some of the best whitewater near Denver, CO? Middle Clear Creek rafting is only a 30-minute drive from the city. This float trip is acceptable for kids as young as seven, so bring your kids for a great, approachable introduction to the exciting world of whitewater adventure. The splashy class II-III rapids have more innocent names than the norm, like Mister Twister, Hightop, Speed Limit 55, and Mountain Lion, adding to the family-friendly fun. No “Boat Crunchers” over here!
Middle Clear Creek rafting is a flexible day trip with options for morning, midday, and afternoon leave times, so you can choose the day structure that works best for you and your family.
Cottonwood Canyon Float Trip – Arkansas River
The Location: Cotopaxi, CO
Quarter-Day: 2 hours in total;
Half-Day: 3.5 hours in total
The Water: Calm water and family-friendly riffles
Our most approachable trip on the map, Cottonwood Canyon float trip, can take kids as young as four years old on the water for a couple of hours of sunshine, floating, splashing around, and river fun. Because this river is paddle-optional, you can decide whether your group would fare best in a paddle boat where everyone participates or an oar boat where you can sit back and enjoy the water. This canyon is full of rocky mountain features and views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range in the distance.
We are also the only outfitter on the Arkansas River that offers a Cottonwood Canyon float trip that starts or ends right at our riverside headquarters!
Upper Colorado Float Trip – Upper Colorado River
The Location: Dumont, CO
Full-day: 6 hours in total
The Water: Easy floating with small rapids
Cold river water, hot natural springs, and rapids around every corner – can’t name a better day than that! Rafting on the Upper Colorado River is another option that sits right in the middle of the exciting and approachable intersection. The Upper Colorado River has been designated a Wild and Scenic River, the highest level of federal protection for free-flowing rivers and streams in the country. From stunning wildlife to abundant fish to remarkable natural scenery, this protected area has a lot to appreciate.
Our full-day trip includes up to 5 hours on the river, enjoying fun rapids and scenic stretches of water, and includes stops for a beautiful picnic lunch and a unique soak in a natural hot spring. An Upper Colorado Raft Trip is our go-to suggestion for adventurous families who want a day of nonstop fun in beautiful Colorado nature.
Colorado has thrills coming out of its ears, with Colorado whitewater rafting trips at the top of the list. Colorado white water fun is just a quick reservation away – if you need any help getting on the river, reach out to our team! We’ll save you a seat for the best whitewater in CO.
The air is fresh, the sun is shining, and the adventure is waiting – now is the time to escape and find some thrilling summer fun in Vail, CO! If you need any help planning your CO trip, visit our blog page! We cover some of the state’s best iconic stops and hidden gems.
