Explore Trips
Departures at Cotopaxi location
Best for the smaller kiddos
Looking for more time on the river?
Join us for a gentle float on the Arkansas River's Cottonwood Canyon, surrounded by stunning views of the towering Rocky Mountains.
This child-friendly trip is perfect for families and rafting newbies that want an easy, calm introduction to the world of rafting. This stretch of the river has small riffles and rapids that are suitable for all ages and skill levels.
Your guide will float you down a scenic portion of the Arkansas River in water that is slow enough for you to take in and appreciate the surrounding scenery.
So sit back, relax, and soak up the natural beauty of the Arkansas River on this unforgettable family adventure.
There are unlimited options for family rafting in Colorado. Cottonwood Canyon is a stretch of the Arkansas River thats tops the list. With calmer water and easy rapids, perfect for families with young children or grandparents who want to get in on the fun without biting off more than they can chew on rowdier portions of the river.
This trip is also a great option for groups that don’t want to commit to hours on the river! Our quarter-day float trip is perfect for groups just wanting a taste of the Arkansas River without giving up a full day.
Location: Arkansas River with departure at Cotopaxi location
Requirements: Minimum age of 4 and weight at least 35 lbs
Trip Length: Quarter-Day Length: 2 hours in total, 1 to 1.5 hours on the water Half-Day Length: 3.5 hours in total, 2 to 2.5 hours on the water
Adventure Level: Mild, family-friendly water with small riffles and class II-III rapids
Join us for a gentle float on the Arkansas River's Cottonwood Canyon, surrounded by stunning views of the towering Rocky Mountains.
This child-friendly trip is perfect for families and rafting newbies that want an easy, calm introduction to the world of rafting. This stretch of the river has small riffles and rapids that are suitable for all ages and skill levels.
Your guide will float you down a scenic portion of the Arkansas River in water that is slow enough for you to take in and appreciate the surrounding scenery.
So sit back, relax, and soak up the natural beauty of the Arkansas River on this unforgettable family adventure.
There are unlimited options for family rafting in Colorado. Cottonwood Canyon is a stretch of the Arkansas River thats tops the list. With calmer water and easy rapids, perfect for families with young children or grandparents who want to get in on the fun without biting off more than they can chew on rowdier portions of the river.
This trip is also a great option for groups that don’t want to commit to hours on the river! Our quarter-day float trip is perfect for groups just wanting a taste of the Arkansas River without giving up a full day.
Location: Arkansas River with departure at Cotopaxi location
Requirements: Minimum age of 4 and weight at least 35 lbs
Trip Length: Quarter-Day Length: 2 hours in total, 1 to 1.5 hours on the water Half-Day Length: 3.5 hours in total, 2 to 2.5 hours on the water
Adventure Level: Mild, family-friendly water with small riffles and class II-III rapids
Departures at Cotopaxi location
Best for the smaller kiddos
Looking for more time on the river?
A great introduction to family whitewater rafting, nature, and fantastic scenery. It’s a new adventure that is perfect for family groups with young children or elderly that have never experienced the rivers of Colorado.
Birds of prey and active trout are common on this trip. Learn about the river ecosystem during a relaxing and informative Arkansas River float trip!
You will be accompanied by a professional river guide that will entertain, educate and safely guide your crew down the river.
Your whitewater adventure starts with a meetup at our rafting outpost in Cotopaxi, CO. You’ll be greeted by our team who will check you in, get you some gear, and ensure that your group is ready to ride.
Our outpost is about 30 minutes from Salida, 40 minutes from Cañon City, and 1.5 hours from Colorado Springs. Aim to get to our meeting spot by at least 9:15 am for morning trips and 1:15 pm for the afternoon trips.
Our outpost is right along the river, so your kids can frolic and get their wiggles out before suiting them up for the upcoming adventure. Every individual will get a helmet and personal flotation device. We have child-size equipment available, so everyone has well-fitting gear.
Once you’re checked in and ready for action, we will shuttle your group 5 minutes to the put-in or launch rift from our base depending on the water levels. During the ride, your group will build excitement for the trip, sing some songs, and take in the rural beauty of the Sangre de Cristo Range.
Once your group hops off the shuttle and gathers around your raft, your guide will take a few minutes for a safety talk. This talk will be tailored to the age and ability level of the group, so everyone knows the do’s and don’ts of rafting. Your guide will walk you through the game plan, things to keep an eye out for and help you and your kids have a fun intro to the world of whitewater (and probably throw some cheesy and kid-friendly raft jokes in along the way).
Because this trip is on calm water, it’s up to your group to decide whether you want to help paddle or not. A paddle boat requires everyone to participate paddling down the river as a team while an oar boat requires your guide to row the boat while you relax. We generally suggest that groups with younger children just sit back and enjoy the ride while groups with older children can try their hand at paddling.
Once you push off into the current, the real fun begins!
This Colorado family float starts with easy and calm water to get your sea legs. If your group has paddles, you can practice the commands you learned during the safety talk. As you navigate easy riffles and a few mild rapids, you’ll have stretches of time to enjoy the water, take in the scenery, scope out some wildlife and learn about the area or hear more jokes from your guide.
As you float down the water, there may be easy areas to take a small break for a quick dip in the water! There are a few great jumping rocks along the river for extra adventurous kids who want a little fun.
During your trip, your raft will be captured by our talented photographer for some fun family photos of enjoying the river. These photos will be available for purchase at the end of your trip so you can keep your Colorado family float trip memories forever.
This scenic Colorado float is all about easy water, splashy adventure, and family fun. Cottonwood Canyon is a calm stretch of the Arkansas River that welcomes all ages and skill levels into its current. We offer 5-mile and 9-mile floats in Cottonwood Canyon, with opportunities to drift down easy water, bounce over small rapids and learn about the area from your guide.
We are the only outfitter on the Arkansas River that offers a Cottonwood Canyon float trip that starts or ends right at our riverside headquarters!
The Cottonwood Canyon stretch of the Arkansas River is framed on either side by rugged boulders and overhanging bushes and trees that graze the water. Past that, the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range and canyon faces tower overhead at times and open up to clear unobstructed views of the valley at others. You can take in desert scrub brush, massive red rock and rocky mountain features, and even some wildlife along the way. Keep your eyes on the skies to spot giant birds of prey scoping out their next meal.
Before and after the float, Cotopaxi is your small, rural gateway to some of the best underrated outdoor adventures in Colorado. Budget some time in your day to take advantage of this beautiful, untouched area to try your hand at fly fishing, go for an ATV ride or hike the Rainbow Trail through the Sangre De Cristo mountains.
During our Colorado whitewater rafting season, we raft daily from the beginning of May through Labor Day weekend. The season can be extended if conditions permit.
We can fit 6 to 7 guests in a raft depending on the group’s size, plus your guide.
Transportation to and from the river, helmet, PFD/life jacket, wetsuit, and splash jacket. Lunch is also provided on full-day tours.
We recommend using a wetsuit for May and June departures, while for July and August departures, they are typically not needed. Be sure to check out our packing list!
It is recommended but not required. We take non-swimmers down this stretch on a normal basis.
During our Colorado whitewater rafting season, we raft daily from the beginning of May through Labor Day weekend. The season can be extended if conditions permit.
We can fit 6 to 7 guests in a raft depending on the group’s size, plus your guide.
Transportation to and from the river, helmet, PFD/life jacket, wetsuit, and splash jacket. Lunch is also provided on full-day tours.
We recommend using a wetsuit for May and June departures, while for July and August departures, they are typically not needed. Be sure to check out our packing list!
It is recommended but not required. We take non-swimmers down this stretch on a normal basis.
We pride ourselves on delivering top-notch customer service and are here to assist you in any way we can. Let us know how we can help!
If you'd prefer, email us at info@arkansasrivertours.com or call 1.800.321.4352.
Since our inception in 1973, Arkansas River Tours has been committed to providing the safest, highest-quality river trips available.
Phone: 1.719.942.4362
info@arkansasrivertours.com
Cañon City Location
Cotopaxi Location
Dumont Location
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