Colorado Springs is a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts and visitors looking for ample outdoor recreation opportunities. Day trips to scenic outdoor landmarks like Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak and The Royal Gorge are all popular outdoor recreation activities near Colorado Springs. There are so many choices for things to do in Colorado Springs. Whether you’re looking for legendary climbing, trail running, mountain biking or Colorado Springs rafting adventures, the city offers a convenient base camp for outdoor adventures in Colorado. We’ve highlighted the best whitewater rafting adventures near Colorado Springs, to help you spend less time researching and more time exploring!
Looking for the best rafting near Colorado Springs? Less than a one hour drive from Colorado Springs, adventurers will find a recreation haven at The Royal Gorge. The Royal Gorge, also known as The Grand Canyon of Colorado, is one of the best kept secrets for Colorado outdoor destinations, and some of the best whitewater rafting in Colorado.
There are a variety of rafting experiences for paddlers of all levels and abilities, from family-friendly sections above the Royal Gorge to adrenaline pumping rapids. The Bighorn Sheep Canyon section of the Arkansas River runs just north of the Royal Gorge, and is available throughout the summer for guests 7 years old and 50 lbs. With splashy class 3+ rapids, gorgeous scenery and a chance of seeing wildlife, Bighorn Sheep Canyon is the best option for family rafting near Colorado Springs.
The Royal Gorge is most notable for the legendary class 4+ rapids that are some of the best challenging rafting near Colorado Springs, if not the most famous whitewater rafting in Colorado. These rowdy rapids aren’t for the faint of heart and are suitable for adults at least 16-years-old that are strong swimmers in good physical condition. If that sounds like you and you’re looking for an unforgettable whitewater rafting experience in Colorado, then the Royal Gorge is the place for you.
The mighty Arkansas River runs through the Royal Gorge, carving out the deep narrow canyon with towering red granite walls over 10 miles of river. Its unique features, natural beauty and adrenaline pumping rapids make the Royal Gorge a popular rafting destination in Colorado.
Location: Canon City, CO
River: Arkansas River
Difficulty: Challenging, Class 4+ Rapids
Minimum Age: 16 years
Recommended for: Thrill-seekers and experienced rafters
Distance from Colorado Springs: 1 hour
Tour Length: Half day and full day tours
Location: Canon City, CO
River: Arkansas River
Difficulty: Moderate, Class 3+ Rapids
Minimum Age: 7 years old and 50 lbs
Recommended for: Families, first-timers, groups
Distance from Colorado Springs: 1 hour
Tour Length: Half day and full day tours
Location: Buena Vista, CO
River: Arkansas River
Difficulty: Mild, Class 1-2+ Rapids
Minimum Age: 4 years old and 30 lbs
Recommended for: Families with young children
Distance from Colorado Springs: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Tour Length: Half day and full day tours
Location: Buena Vista, CO
River: Arkansas River
Difficulty: Moderate, Class 3+ Rapids
Minimum Age: 7 years old and 50 lbs
Recommended for: Thrill-seekers and experienced rafters
Distance from Colorado Springs: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Tour Length: Half day and full day tours
When selecting a whitewater rafting tour, it’s important to take into account the size of your group, age range, and experience/ability. How old is the youngest person in your group? Does everyone know how to swim? Has anyone gone whitewater rafting before? These are all helpful questions to get started on choosing the right Colorado Springs rafting adventure.
Usually, the age of the youngest person in the group determines which trip is the best rafting trip for your crew. For example, most 10-year-old guests are looking for a few splashes, but not something too challenging. If you are rafting with a 10-year-old, this means that adrenaline-pumping trips like the Royal Gorge or the Numbers, are off the table due to the minimum age restriction. It also means that family floats like the Bear Creek section of the Arkansas River might not have enough excitement. Browns Canyon National Monument or Bighorn Sheep Canyon are both trip options that are perfect for a family rafting with children at least 7 years old and 50 lbs.
Colorado’s whitewater rafting season begins in late Spring and typically runs through Labor Day Weekend. For Colorado Springs rafting guests, our Canon City rafting trips near the Royal Gorge have one of the longest rafting seasons in Colorado, thanks to the high summer temperatures and excellent river conditions.
Water levels in early May start off slow, rising throughout the month until the water levels peak around mid-June. During peak runoff, minimum ages may change and some rafting trips may not be available to raft commercially. If this happens to your group, we will always offer an alternative adventure.
After high water in mid-June, water flows begin to drop down to average levels, fluctuating with weather events and rain storms. In mid-August, flows on the Arkansas River return to their native flows, meaning lower water levels, more exposed rock features and plenty of beautiful scenery for the remainder of the summer rafting season.
We’ve shared descriptions of Colorado rafting trips, tips for booking a rafting trip, and the best time to go rafting near Colorado Springs. Now that you’ve learned about rafting near Colorado Springs, it’s time to experience it for yourself!
Still have questions? Give our friendly rafting information staff a call and let the experts help you plan the perfect rafting trip. 1-800-328-7238.
The closest whitewater rafting from Colorado Springs is located about a 1 hour drive from Colorado Springs to Canon City, CO, near the Royal Gorge.
The best time of year to go rafting near Colorado Springs is during the summer months, from May through August.
The best family-friendly rafting trips near Colorado Springs are Bighorn Sheep Canyon, Browns Canyon National Monument and Bear Creek Family Float. These family-friendly rafting trips are located about 1- 2 hour drive from Colorado Springs, in Canon City, CO and Buena Vista, CO.
