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Rafting Frequently Asked Questions

All commercial rafting outfitters are licensed by the State of Colorado, and all guides must undergo an extensive training program and fulfill requirements set forth by the state. All guides are also required to have CPR and first aid certification.

Performance Tours Rafting was established in 1986 by owners Kevin and Mary Jo Foley. Prior to Performance Tours, Kevin was a manager for a large rafting company from 1981-1985.

We take great pride in the guide staff at Performance Tours, and in our excellent safety record. With their combined years of experience, our highly skilled guides are truly some of the best in the business. All guides have undergone an extensive training program that well exceeds the state’s requirements. We have a low guide turnover rate from year to year, resulting in a crew with one of the highest average years of experience anywhere. Many of our guides have additional certifications such as swift-water rescue training and advanced first aid training.

Experience. We are one of the larger and most experienced rafting outfitters in the state. We host approximately 16,000 rafting guests per season. We have taken more than 490,000 people rafting since 1986, with enough river miles to circle the earth over 350 times! Our company goal is to provide the highest quality trip available at competitive prices, and we have one of the best safety records in the business. We are active members of several professional trade organizations including the Colorado River Outfitters Association, the Arkansas River Outfitters Association, and America Outdoors, helping to set the highest of standards for rafting outfitters in the state. We have a very high percentage rate of return guests every year who were completely satisfied with their whitewater experience with Performance Tours.

We have a wide range of trips suitable for all ages and levels of experience. We allow non-swimmers on several of our trips. We also provide mandatory life jackets. The life jackets are designed to keep your head above water in the event that you end up outside of the raft.

In any outdoor adventure activity involving risk and inherent dangers, there is always the possibility of injury. We take many precautions to minimize the risk, resulting in very few minor injuries each season. There is a low potential for injury on our mild to moderate trips. The potential for injury increases with the level of difficulty of the trip. We give a very informative river orientation/safety talk prior to each trip that familiarizes the guests with some of the potential risks.

Call our office and let our reservation assistants help you determine which trip would be the most appropriate for you or your group. Consider the following when planning your trip:

  • The age range and ability level of the group
  • The physical condition of the group members (for the more difficult class trips)
  • The length of the trip: Half Day, Full Day or Multi-Day
  • Driving distance to the trip departure office
  • Departure times and return times
  • The level/class of the trip: Mild/Class II (family adventure); Moderate/Class III (exciting but not overwhelming); Extreme/Class IV-V (adrenaline-pumping adventure!)

The Colorado whitewater rafting season runs from May through early September.

We offer paddle boats (everyone participates), oar boats (the guide solely navigates the raft), and paddle assist (the guide rows and the crew paddles intermittently). If you prefer not to paddle or are unable to paddle, please speak with a reservationist for assistance choosing the best trip for you.

The Arkansas River is considered to be one of the best whitewater rafting rivers in the world, offering everything from family adventure trips to extreme whitewater trips. The Brown’s Canyon section offers class III-IV whitewater amidst spectacular mountain and desert scenery, and is the most popular raft trip in the country. This trip leaves from our Buena Vista office. The Mild & Scenic trip is an excellent alternative for those wanting relaxing flat water, small scale rapids and beautiful mountain scenery. This is a great trip for families with small children. The trip also leaves from our Buena Vista office. The class IV+ whitewater of the Royal Gorge runs between 1,100′ canyon walls and beneath the world’s highest suspension bridge. This trip leaves from our Cañon City office. The Bighorn Sheep Canyon trip offers plenty of exciting moderate-level class III whitewater and spectacular scenery in the magnificent Royal Gorge area. This trip also leaves from our Cañon City office.

The Blue River Half Day trip offers class III whitewater through beautiful alpine scenery. The season runs from late May to early July and varies slightly from year to year based on water levels. This is the closest and most convenient rafting trip to Summit County and departs from our Frisco office.

The age restrictions for the different rivers are based on degree of difficulty and are as follows: Arkansas River

  • Mild & Scenic – Easy Class I-II; recommended minimum is 4 years old and 30 lbs.
  • Brown’s Canyon – Moderate Class III-IV; recommended minimum is 7 years old and 50 lbs. Exceptions are made when the water levels subside. We may also adjust upward during above average flow rates.
  • The Narrows – Moderate Class III-IV; recommended minimum age is 10 years old.
  • The Numbers – Challenging Class IV-V; recommended minimum age is 16.
  • Royal Gorge – Challenging Class IV-V; recommended minimum age is 16 but varies with conditions. For example, we will adjust the age minimum to 14 years old with lower flow rates. Blue River – Moderate Class III+; recommended minimum age is 7 years old and 50 lbs. Colorado River – Easy Class I–II; recommended minimum age is 4 years old and 30 lbs. These guidelines can also be found in each trip description. When in doubt, call us!

Check your trip of choice for meeting and departure times. Your meeting location and time will also be on your reservation confirmation. When in doubt, call us.

Yes. We provide the highest quality Coast Guard approved life jackets available. We have life jackets to fit almost any size individual. We require that they be worn at all times while on the river.

If you pay attention and follow your guide’s instructions, your chances of falling out of the raft are minimized. It is important that every guest pays close attention during the pre-trip safety talk in order to know what to do if you do end up going for a swim.

Yes. Each raft has a highly qualified guide on board who has undergone an extensive training and certification program. The Performance Tours, Inc. training program exceeds the requirements set forth by the State of Colorado and the U.S. Government.

Wear comfortable, quick-drying clothing (swimsuit, shorts), and protective footgear (wet shoes or sneakers that you don’t mind getting wet). We also recommend sunglasses, hat, sunscreen and a fleece or performance fabric shirt on cooler days. We have complimentary wetsuits, booties, and whitewater splash jackets available. We recommend bringing a dry change of clothes for after the trip.

Performance Tours has changing rooms at all of our full-service offices. Our facilities are clean and comfortable and help to make your experience the best that it can be.

We recommend bringing money for any souvenirs, t-shirts, photos of your trip, etc. that you may wish to purchase. If you have an enjoyable trip a guide gratuity is appropriate and always appreciated.

If you enjoyed your whitewater rafting experience, chances are your raft guide had a lot to do with it! Guide gratuity is an industry standard and is very much appreciated.

Our Full Day trips include a delicious buffet-style lunch along with a beverage. You may bring non-alcoholic canned beverages if desired. Typically our lunch consists of sandwich spread with meats, cheeses, various veggies, chips, fruits and more. Lunch is enjoyed on our office patio or riverside. We are happy to accommodate allergy and food restrictions – just give our office a call to let us know.

If you don’t like the weather in Colorado, just wait 10 minutes! Our raft trips go out every day of the season regardless of weather conditions, which means there are no cancellations due to weather. Whitewater splash jackets and wetsuit rentals are available. Temperatures are generally warm at the different river locations

Our season typically runs from late April through mid-September. The water levels for rafting are generally very good through mid to late August due to a flow program on the Arkansas River that provides a minimum flow for rafting. Peak runoff (high water) occurs late May through June, and the water levels gradually subside throughout the course of the summer. The flows will vary from year to year based on snowpack and weather.

Advance reservations are strongly recommended to ensure the trip of your choice. Last minute reservations and walk-ins are welcome on a space-available basis. Call our office for group rates (10 or more people) and special quotes. We reserve the right to alter your scheduled trip if river conditions prevent us from running certain sections. Minimum ages may vary with changing river conditions.

Yes. A 50 % deposit is required to guarantee space and can be made by phone with a credit card, by mailing a check, or by paying in person at one of our offices.

As of March 2020, our new cancellation policy is that guests canceling outside of 72 hours will receive a full refund – no fees.

Guests still have the option to purchase cancellation coverage for a 6% fee, for cancellations made within 72 hours. With cancellation coverage, they can cancel up until 6 pm on the eve of their trip and receive a full refund – less the insurance fee.

Cancellations within 72 hours are non-refundable without cancellation coverage.

Performance Tours, Inc. is licensed by the State of Colorado and operates under permit by the White River National Forest. All or part of this operation is conducted on public lands under a special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Performance Tours, Inc. is a member of Colorado River Outfitters Association, Arkansas River Outfitters Association, and America Outdoors. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Yes, we do offer private raft trips. Click here or call to learn more about this experience.

All rivers and rapids are placed on a class scale to determine the level of difficulty and classification of whitewater. The class system is rated from 1 – 6, with 1 being extremely mild and 6 considered “un-raftable” for commercial trips. We find that most Colorado whitewater rafting guests enjoy the more moderate levels of whitewater (class 3), though we offer rafting trip options for all ages and abilities.

While preferences vary, many guests enjoy moderate levels of whitewater. At Performance Tours Rafting, we cater to all ages and abilities, offering trips suitable for beginners to expert enthusiasts.

At Performance Tours, we love furry friends, but whitewater rafting can be dangerous for your pet and potentially for other passengers. It is unknown how a dog may react on a raft, and other passengers may have allergies or a fear of dogs. We do not allow guests to bring pet dogs on the river with a shared rafting reservation. Please call with questions. 1-800-328-7238

Yes, you can bring your service dog, but the following conditions apply:

  1. You must provide appropriate paperwork proving it is a service dog (not an ESA).
  2. You must provide a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) for your dog.
  3. You must reserve and pay for a private trip and transportation for your dog. The only trip option available for service dogs is the mild and scenic trip.

We understand that finding care for your dog while you enjoy your rafting trip is important. We may be able to help make arrangements for your dog while you are on the river. Please call us for details and we’ll do our best to assist you. 1-800-328-7238

Locations

Buena Vista, Arkansas River

115 Gregg Drive

Buena Vista, CO 81211

(719) 395-6097

Royal Gorge, Arkansas River

0193 County Road 3A
Canon City, CO 81212
(719) 395-3154

Breckenridge

107 Ski Hill Rd.

Breckenridge, CO 80424

(970) 453-0661

Frisco

842 North Summit Boulevard
Frisco, CO 80443
1-800-328-7239

2023 Best of Summit
Certificate of Excellence 2023 Trip Advisor
#1 rafting company in Breckenridge Colorado

Voted Best Rafting Company in Summit County for 13 years

Colorado’s most experienced rafting outfitter since 1986.

Who Is Performance Tours?
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