Colorado Rafting: Families & Beginners | Raft Echo River Expeditions

Colorado Rafting For Families & Beginners

Bighorn Sheep Canyon / Parkdale Run

Bighorn Sheep Canyon offers just the right blend of mild to moderate excitement with miles of scenic beauty. As the name implies, Bighorn Sheep populate this area extensively and are often spotted along the banks of the river, or along the rugged mountainsides. Well known as one of the best whitewater rafting trips for viewing bighorn sheep, it's likely that you'll take home great memories of these elusive creatures. Be sure to check out our exclusive Raft-n-Rail package for a truly unique day along the historic Arkansas River corridor.

Departs daily at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Half Day Adult $54 | Child* (12 and under) $44

Full Day Adult $90 | Child* (12 and under) $85

*Recommended minimum age 6 and recommended minimum weight 50 pounds. Please call prior to booking if you are unsure of your child's eligibility for rafting. Thank you!

Family Float Trip

Enjoy a gentle 6-mile family float trip on the Arkansas River as we navigate class I and II whitewater past lush cottonwood groves and rugged rocky bluffs. Intended for families with young children or those looking for a small taste of whitewater rafting, this trip offers just enough adventure for adults and not too much for the little ones. Keep an eye out for falcons, eagles and a variety of other Rocky Mountain wildlife in the dense foliage along this section of river known as Swallows Canyon.

Departs daily at 1:30 p.m.

Half-day (6 miles)

Adult $60 | Child* (12 and under) $50

*Minimum weight 35 pounds for children. No age restrictions.

Browns Canyon

Browns Canyon is considered one of the best Colorado rafting trips in the United States and parallels a wilderness study area. Offering amazing scenic views and abundant wildlife, our Browns Canyon trip is known as one of the best family float trips on the Arkansas River. On this journey down the Arkansas, periods of calm water are peppered with stretches of fun and friendly rapids such as Pinball, Zoom Flume, Big Drop and others. Browns Canyon trips depart from our Four Corners/ Buffalo Joes office in Buena Vista.

Daily departures at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Half-day (10 miles)

Adult $54 | Child* (12 and under) $44

Full-day (20 miles)

Adult $87 | Child* (12 and under) $77

*Recommended minimum age 6 and recommended minimum weight 50 pounds. Please call prior to booking if you are unsure of your child's eligibility for rafting. Thank you!

Colorado’s most popular premium whitewater rafting package is now even better. In addition to our standard Coach-class seating you can now experience the Royal Gorge in a nostalgic 1950’s Dome Car, offering superior views of this natural wonder. Learn more about this fantastic rafting package by calling Raft Echo at 1-800-755-ECHO today!

Departs daily at 8:45 a.m.

Adult $99 | Child* (12 and under) $84

*Recommended minimum age 6 and recommended minimum weight 50 pounds. Please call prior to booking if you are unsure of your child's eligibility for rafting. Thank you!

Paddle, Saddle & Bridge

This full-day trip combines a Bighorn Canyon half-day river rafting trip with a one hour mule ride on the rim of the Royal Gorge and tickets to the Royal Gorge Bridge. Seem like a lot to do in just one day? Don't worry - your tickets to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park are good the following day, meaning you don't have to rush yourselves while visiting this geological spectacle. To find out more about this one-of-a-kind Echo Canyon rafting package, call Raft Echo at 1-800-755-ECHO today.

Departs daily at 9:30 or 10:00 a.m.

Adult $115 | Child* (12 and under) $99

*Recommended minimum age 6 and recommended minimum weight 50 pounds for this whitewater raft trip. Please call prior to booking if you are unsure of your child's eligibility for rafting. Thank you!

Raft-n-Bridge™

Two exciting attractions in one fun and easy day! Combine a half-day raft trip through the Arkansas River's Bighorn Sheep Canyon with an afternoon at the world’s highest suspension bridge; the Royal Gorge Bridge. A family-class whitewater float trip starts your day off with miles of scenery and a chance of spotting Bighorn Sheep grazing the banks of the river. A short four-mile drive from our office takes you to the Royal Gorge Bridge to enjoy at your family's pace. For more information on this unique whitewater rafting experience, call Raft Echo at 1-800-755-ECHO today.

Departs daily at 9:30 or 10:00 a.m.

Adults $80 | Children* (12 and under) $66

*Recommended minimum age 6 and recommended minimum weight 50 pounds. Please call prior to booking if you are unsure of your child's eligibility for rafting. Thank you!

Clear Creek Beginner 1/3 Day

Just 45 minutes from Denver and an hour and a half from Vail, our Clear Creek Beginner trip is just the right amount of white water for families and first time floaters. You'll paddle your way down eleven class II and III rapids in the six-mile run. Keep an eye out for Bighorn Sheep and other Rocky Mountain wildlife between the rapids! You will be on the river for about 1 1/2 hours on this short-but-sweet rafting adventure.

May 1st - July 15th departs daily at 10:30, 12:00 and 2:00
July 16th - August 14th departs daily at 10:30, 12:00 and 2:30

Third-day (6 miles)

Adult $49 | Child* (12 and under) $44

*Recommended minimum age 6 and recommended minimum weight 50 pounds. Please call prior to booking if you are unsure of your child's eligibility for rafting. Thank you!