Planning a whitewater rafting trip might seem intimidating at first glance, but it doesn’t have to be too complicated. Here at Echo Canyon River Expeditions, one of the premier Colorado whitewater rafting companies, we know a thing or two about pulling together a satisfying river trip, needless to say, and we’ve assembled some basic pointers in the article below.
Read on to learn more about how to prepare for whitewater rafting, one of the greatest of all outdoor pursuits!
How to Successfully Plan a Whitewater Rafting Trip
So, as spring gets underway and the prospect of top-tier, snowmelt-fueled flow begins tantalizing your adventurous spirit, you might well be asking: “How do I plan a whitewater rafting trip? What should I consider before booking a rafting trip?”
The below suggestions should help you get your trip planning in order.
Research & Choose a Destination
Planning a white water rafting trip, first and foremost, means deciding where to go. In the United States alone, you’re really spoiled for choices in terms of outstanding whitewater rivers. The spectrum covers all desired experiences and adventure levels: from laidback floats with a few pleasant waves here and there to the most gut-busting of Class IV and V challenges.
At Echo Canyon River Expeditions, we’re lucky to operate on one of the best-known and best-loved whitewater streams in the country: the Arkansas River, which rolls a magnificent route through the Southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado before embarking on its genuinely epic journey toward the Mississippi River. Our home river is unquestionably one of the best places to go whitewater rafting in North America!
Indeed, two of the multiple sections of the Arkansas that we run here at Echo Canyon rank among the most popular and celebrated whitewater reaches in the nation: the crowd-pleasing, family-friendly, super-accessible Bighorn Sheep Canyon and the utterly spectacular, big water-stacked Royal Gorge of the Arkansas.
Situated as we are in Cañon City, Colorado, we’re but 10 minutes away from both of those fabled sections and just an hour from Colorado Springs: a major destination for summertime adventure-seekers from around the country and around the world.
Determine the Ideal Time
Most of the great whitewater routes in the country, whether in the East or the West, have a seasonality or at least a temporal component. Whether it’s the schedule of releases from upstream reservoirs or—as is most important for the Arkansas and many other rivers of the American West—the timetable of mountain snowmelt, you do definitely want to consider timing when planning a white water rafting trip.
On the sections of the “Ark” that we run here at Echo Canyon, peak flow typically commences in late May or early June as the Rocky Mountain snowpack melts off, with decent flow levels continuing into August.
But there are plenty of advantages to “shoulder-season” rafting, too: Lower-flow periods in spring and late summer tempt with fewer crowds, a more tranquil atmosphere, and—because more boulders and other obstacles are exposed by the reduced water levels—often a more technical run, despite being outside the season of the biggest, gnarliest water.
Assess Trip Options & Inclusions
You’ll want to choose a whitewater trip and section that matches the capabilities (physical condition, swimming ability, etc.) and individual preferences of each member of your party. Here at Echo Canyon, we guide rafting trips that run the gamut from easy-peasy and relaxed to heart-in-your-throat extreme.
Many Colorado whitewater rafting companies, ourselves included, offer various inclusions to make vacation planning that much easier—say, with special combo packages for close-by accommodations or tack-on activities such as ziplining.
Arrange Accommodations
Speaking of accommodations, a convenient place to stay should obviously be part and parcel of your whitewater rafting checklist.
At Echo Canyon River Expeditions, we’re happy to set you up with the perfect nearby lodgings in Cañon City’s Royal Gorge Cabins, which offer both decked-out cabins as well as deluxe glamping tents within a stone’s throw of our most popular rafting routes.
Prepare a Packing List for River Rafting Trip
What to bring when going whitewater rafting? Your packing list depends on the season, the kind of water you’re tackling, and what a given outfitter offers.
For our Arkansas River itineraries, we suggest the most important things to bring are sunscreen, water, quick-drying layers, secure footwear (ideally closed-toe), and an adventurous spirit.
Apart from that, all of your other personal belongings can stay locked safely in your car—we supply the U.S. Coast Guard-approved Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), helmets, paddles, and other essentials!
Book Ahead of Time
Whitewater rafting has ballooned in popularity over the past few decades, along with so many other sectors of the outdoor recreation industry. And given optimal rafting conditions tend to be had in a particular window, competition for bookings can get intense.
Reserve your rafting experience packages well ahead of time, especially if it’s peak season you’re aiming for, to ensure the best chance of securing a river trip when it’s most convenient for your schedule.
Plan a Memory-Minting Whitewater Rafting Trip on Colorado’s Arkansas River With Echo Canyon
Ready to take on those rapids? Plan your perfect whitewater rafting trip with Echo Canyon today!
