Colorado Springs Whitewater Rafting

Are you interested in white water rafting?

Have you heard about the white water rafting activities popular in the Colorado Springs area?

Would you like to find out about a few other spots that are equally popular and good for white water rafting?

If you love white water rafting, or whether you are planning to try it out for the first time, the information in this article can help you with both. Today, we will take a look at what makes Colorado Springs so popular as a destination for white water rafting.

Also, check out some new places we are talking about, that have also become popular for white water rafting. See which ones are good for beginners and which ones have very high difficulty levels. Find out about the duration of these trips, other information as well as pros and cons, so that you can choose the one that will be perfect for your white water rafting adventure.  

TOP 5 Colorado Springs White Water Rafting Destinations

Option #1. BROWNS CANYON

Difficulty/skill level

• Caters to all age groups and abilities.
• Choose different levels starting from easy and going up till difficult.

Exact location

• Close to Breckenridge, Vail, Denver, Colorado Springs and Aspen

Trip duration

• Full-day adventure trips with lunch at the river side.
• Overnight rafting trips with camping and gourmet meal facilities.
• Express adventure trip that’s for a few hours.

More about the site:

• This site is perfect for taking family adventures.
• It takes place on the Arkansas river.
• The course moves through a corridor of pink granite and metamorphic rock formations.
• The family rafting trips move through the Browns Canyon.
• The advanced rafting trips move through multiple sections. 
• Professional guides

Pros

• Amazing scenery
• Lots of thrills and adventure
• Family-friendly
• Perfect for beginners and enthusiasts
• Great bonding time
• Safe and fun
• Changing rooms

Cons

• Some guides not very communicative.

Option #2. THE NUMBERS

Difficulty/skill level

• Opt for easy levels for kids or take it up to the highest adventure level.

Exact location

• Arkansas river, Buena Vista, Colorado

Trip duration

• Half-day and full-day packages  

More about the site:

• Winds through a beautiful high alpine setting
• Narrow and rocky path
• Good for family and friends
• Number of packages to choose from
• Provide equipment
• Souvenir shop
• Full of adventurous drops and rapids

Pros

• Highly informative and helpful guides
• Proper information and safety
• No cancellation fees
• All age groups are well-cared for
• Perfect for couples and friends

Cons

• Refund not the smoothest process

Option #3. BIGHORN SHEEP CANYON  

Difficulty/skill level

• Perfect for beginners with easy level to enthusiasts who can take the dangerous level

Exact location

• The River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park turn-off
• Rafting takes place on the Arkansas river and passes through the Bighorn Sheep Canyon

Trip duration

• Both half-day and full-day family rafting trips available

More about the site:

• Passes the wildlife of Colorado’s San Isabel National Forest
• Perfect for families and friends
• Great for friends

Pros

• Chance to spot the distinguished bighorn sheep
• Informative and caring guides
• Great sightings
• High-quality equipment

Cons

• None as yet

Option #4. ROYAL GORGE

Difficulty/skill level

• The minimum recommended age for these trips is at least 14 to 18 years of age as these are of high intensity and difficulty levels. 
• When the water flow is high, the minimum age is at least 16 to 18 years of age.
• These particular white water rafting trips also require participants to be in good physical condition and be able to swim well.

Exact location

• The rafting trip takes place about an hour from the Colorado Springs beneath the Royal Gorge Bridge.

Trip duration

• Take your pick from half or full day rafting trips.

More about the site:

• Professional guides will help you raft over class III to V rapids.
• Trained guides will tell you when to look around to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife.
• You will also know more about the history of the Arkansas river as well as the Colorado Mountain West.
• Expect to have a delicious steak lunch by the river side.

Pros

• Begins slow and turns into a thrilling adventure
• Extremely professional rafting experience
• Highly trained guides
• Adrenaline rush for all allowed age-groups

Cons

• None as yet

Option #5. COTTONWOOD CANYON

Difficulty/skill level

• This trip allows young rafters as well as those who are doing river rafting for the first time.
• As a result, you can choose from different skill levels, beginning from the easiest level and moving up till the really difficult ones.

Exact location

• The Cottonwood Canyon white water rafting in Colorado is located near the Cottonwood Canyon.
• The white water rafting will take place on the Arkansas river.

Trip duration

More about the site:

• Perfect for families, kids, beginners, couples and friends.
• One of the most popular white water rafting trips for families and kids.
• Along with the regular white water rafting, you can also go in for some light paddling, as well as getting wet in the splashy waves.
• The white water rafting expedition will take you through class II rapids.
• Instead of focusing on solely giving you that adrenaline rush, it focuses more on giving you an overall scenic and adventure experience.  
• Children have to weigh at least 35 lbs to be allowed on the trip.

Pros

• Perfect for families and first-timers
• Great blend of scenic beauty and adventure
• Fun and safe for kids
• Two departure options to choose from

Cons

• None as yet

Is the Colorado Springs area especially known for white water rafting?

The Colorado Springs is an extremely popular and loved destination for white water rafting. Not only is it a very big crowd puller that consists of tourists, but it is also a very popular hot spot for locals. In fact, Colorado Springs features as one of the top spots on the list of tourists who travel to Colorado. The place offers some of the best white water rafting trips for families as well as all types of groups.

When does white water rafting season begin and end here?

• The white water rafting season in Colorado Springs usually begins from May and ends around September.
• Some years, the white water rafting trips can even start as early as April.
• Sometimes, if the level of the water is good enough to allow some more time, the white water rafting trips can even get extended till October.
• In most cases, the trips end on the Labor Day weekend.

5 Reasons Why You Should Come To Colorado Springs For White Water Rafting

If you are still not sure why you should go for the white water rafting experience at Colorado Springs, here are some really cool reasons why you should definitely not miss out!

1. High-intensity adventure and action for the entire family
2. Amazing scenes and views on the way
3. An experience of a lifetime as you move through some of the most adventurous and thrilling rapid courses
4. A great way to let kids and yourself bond with nature
5. Chance to make new friends and learn new information from knowledgeable guides

White water rafting can be an amazing adventure experience that you will cherish for life. Make sure to follow all safety instructions and be careful while having a great time.