After many years of fun times, here’s a breakdown of Colorado’s Best whitewater rafting for families. It would naturally be your mission to make your whitewater rafting experience in Colorado the most memorable adventure possible.
Cottonwood Canyon river float trips are an excellent option for anyone looking for a beginners’ trip, or for taking in the scenic views as you enjoy a Class II-III rafting experience in Colorado Springs. This overnight rafting Colorado trip takes you to both Bighorn Sheep Canyon and Browns Canyon National Monument on Colorado rivers. The lower portion of the Arkansas River near Canon City is just 45 miles from Colorado Springs and a picturesque two-hour drive from Denver, and has advantages such as better water levels, generally warmer and dryer weather, longer seasons, and Bighorn Sheep Canyons excellent beginner and family-friendly rafting in Colorado.
Among Colorado’s many rivers, two of the most visited whitewater rafting destinations also just so happen to be two closest to those cities, the Arkansas and Clear Creek. With more per-mile whitewater rafting trails than any other Colorado River, Clear Creek offers world-class rafting conveniently located only 45 minutes outside of downtown Denver. Conveniently located only 30 minutes from Denver, Clear Creek Rafting Company has adventure-filled rafting trips to suit all levels of experience, both on Clear Creek and on the Arkansas River.
Whitewater rafting the Cache La Poudre River is an unforgettable experience, as the river is the only national wild and scenic river in Colorado. White water rafting the San Juan River provides a thrilling experience, featuring views of red rocks, wildlife, interesting ruins, and class III to IV-rated rapids. While Colorado has plenty of mountains to climb and hike, it is also home to plenty of rivers flowing at an incredibly fast pace that provide an exciting opportunity to white water raft.
Because of the convenience the Arkansas River provides for both locals and visitors in Colorado, it is one of Colorado’s most popular rivers to raft. Those who are aware of this are aware that The Dolores River is one of the best multi-day rafting trips available in Colorado and beyond.
If you are feeling adventurous and want to truly experience Colorado’s best, pair this up with a nightly rafting trip that hits Lower (Box) Piedra River the following day. Rafting trips on the more notorious rivers of northwest Colorado are typically relaxing, several-day, relaxing trips, ideal for peaceful solitude and exploring the Yampa River canyon.
This should push you in the right direction. For those who are looking for some good Arkansas River rafting, Denver is the perfect spot to get stuck into it. There are plenty of beautiful sections of the Arkansas River to raft, from family-friendly trips through Glenwood Canyon, just outside of Glenwood Springs, to the ultra-gnarly, whitewater-raged Gorge Gorge. Arkansas Valley Adventures has all-day whitewater trips up the Colorado for river runners ages 5 and up. Whitewater Rafting of Glenwood Springs has private raft trips for up to eight people, featuring Grade II-IV rapids on the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers.
