Explore Trips
Summer in Colorado means one thing: it’s time to unplug, get outside, and make memories that last longer than screen time. Summer is the season for family – kids are out of school, the weather is warm, and vacation days are ready to be used. Whether you are planning a massive multi-generational gathering or a simple weekend getaway, Arkansas River Tours offers the perfect balance of safety, scenery, and excitement.
While everyone is counting on you to plan the best family vacation, we’d like to hand it to you on a silver platter. Since 1973, we have been the trusted choice for families, prioritizing safety with certified guides who are experts at managing family dynamics and easing nerves. With Colorado rafting adventures ranging from gentle, scenic floats for ages 4+ to splashy Class III rapids for the adventurous, we ensure every member of your tribe has the time of their life.
Our knowledgeable staff handles all the logistics, so you don’t have to. We specialize in coordinating large groups and diverse needs, often running different trip levels simultaneously so your group can split up for the trip and meet back up for your next activity. From the moment you gear up in our high-quality safety equipment to the final splash, we take care of the details so you can focus on what matters most: your family.
Need help with the rest of your itinerary? Check out our info pages for your desired destination! From information about Denver to the Colorado Springs area to planning a visit to Cañon City, our area guides and knowledgeable staff can help you plan your activities, where to eat, and where to stay.
The Bighorn Sheep Canyon rafting trip on the Arkansas River is ideal for first-time rafters and the younger members of your party. With exciting waves that aren’t overwhelming, this is the perfect setup for adventurous families! We launch beneath the dramatic Cotopaxi cliffs at our convenient riverside base and start in easy water to give us time to form a competent paddle crew (or passengers in an oar boat). Floating past spectacular geological formations and views of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, we run exciting Class II-III rapids like Texas Creek, Maytag, and Devil’s Hole. After a delicious buffet lunch, we plunge into more demanding and technical rapids.
A Cottonwood Canyon scenic family float is by far the best family float trip on the Arkansas River! This perfect introductory trip offers the best rafting experience for young children, with small splashes and many swimming opportunities. You will float from Coaldale to our riverside base in Cotopaxi while enjoying scenic views of the Sangre de Cristo Range. This itinerary is the best trip for rafting in Colorado on the Arkansas River for families with young kids. We are the only outfitter offering this trip since it conveniently ends right at our riverside base!
The Middle Clear Creek rafting trip is our favorite family-friendly trip near Denver, Colorado, perfect for those seeking a fun and convenient outdoor outing. This trip provides a gentle introduction to the world of whitewater rafting. The guided trip will take rafters through the historic mining valley of Idaho Springs. You’ll enjoy scenic views and the thrill of splashes and riffles along the way. With multiple leave times available throughout the day, this 2-hour rafting experience is a fantastic option for Denver-based families looking for an exciting and accessible adventure in the great outdoors.
Minimum age depends on the trip and the water level. Our Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Family Float welcomes children as young as 4. Bighorn Sheep Canyon is open to ages 76 and up. Browns Canyon typically requires ages 8 and up. The Royal Gorge has a minimum age of 14 due to the Class III-IV+ rapids and is occasionally raised during peak runoff. Minimum ages can shift during high-water periods in late May and early June — call us to confirm for your trip date.
Wear quick-dry clothing you don’t mind getting wet with a swimsuit underneath, athletic shorts, a sun shirt or rash guard, and secure footwear like water sandals or sneakers (no flip-flops or Crocs). Avoid cotton, which stays cold and heavy when wet. Bring sunglasses with a strap, sunscreen, a hat that secures, and a water bottle. We provide all the technical gear: PFD, helmet, paddle, and wetsuit or splash jacket when conditions call for them. A full packing list is on our Packing List page.
Swimming skills are recommended but not required for most of our trips. Every guest wears a Coast Guard-approved life jacket that keeps you afloat without any effort, and your guide goes through a complete safety briefing before launch. On lower-class trips like Cottonwood Canyon and Bighorn Sheep Canyon, non-swimmers raft comfortably with us all season long. On the Royal Gorge, especially during high water in late May and June, we require basic swimming ability so you can assist in your own rescue if you come out of the raft. Please tell us at booking if anyone in your group is a non-swimmer.
Both depart from our Cañon City location, but they’re very different experiences. Bighorn Sheep Canyon is our most popular first-timer and family trip: Class II-III rapids, warmer water, frequent bighorn sheep sightings, and a manageable pace that lets you take in the canyon scenery. Minimum age is 7, and most groups do the half-day. The Royal Gorge is our advanced whitewater trip: Class III-IV+ rapids, dramatic 1,000-foot granite canyon walls, and the iconic Royal Gorge Bridge overhead. Minimum age is 14, and the pace is intense. If your group includes anyone under 14 or anyone hesitant about big whitewater, choose Bighorn. If you’re after the bucket-list adrenaline experience, choose the Royal Gorge.
Our Cañon City location is about 2 hours from Denver and 1 hour from Colorado Springs via Highway 50. Our Cotopaxi location, which serves Bighorn Sheep Canyon, Cottonwood Canyon and Browns Canyon trips, is about 2.5 hours from Denver and 1.5 hours from Colorado Springs. Our Dumont location, which serves Clear Creek trips, is just 35 minutes west of Denver on I-70. Full driving directions for each departure point are on our Directions page.
Yes, our trips run rain or shine! Rafting is a wet activity anyway, and Colorado’s high-country weather typically brings short, scattered showers rather than all-day rain. Your guides will continue the trip through normal weather. We do reserve the right to delay, shorten, or cancel a trip if conditions become unsafe, such as extreme cold weather or sudden river-level changes. In those cases, we’ll reschedule or refund your trip.
Every Arkansas River Tours trip includes your professional guide, all technical gear (PFD, helmet, paddle, and wetsuit or splash jacket when needed), shuttle transportation between our base and the put-in or take-out, and pre-trip safety orientation. Full-day trips also include a riverside lunch. Photos taken by our trip photographers are available for purchase after your trip. Gratuities for your guide are appreciated but not included.