It’s no hyperbole to say that Cañon City, Colorado—nestled against the flank of the Southern Rocky Mountain foothills where they grade down onto the Colorado Piedmont of the Great Plains—sits on the doorstep of some of the best whitewater rafting on the continent.
At Echo Canyon River Expeditions, we’ve been introducing guests from near and far to the joys of that very whitewater since 1978. Read on to learn more about our different river trips, which appeal to all skill levels and run the gamut from half-day to multi-day outings.
Without question the centerpiece among our Colorado rafting adventures, the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River—cutting through hard ancient rock in a regionally unique geologic setup—reaches more than 1,200 feet deep, with canyon rims that in places are a mere 40 or so feet across. The “Ark” makes some marvelously big water as it roils and boils through this mighty chasm, with continuous Class IV rapids—some of which boost to Class V status under the highest flows.
We run both half-day (3 hours) and full-day (6 hours) trips through the Royal Gorge, as well as climaxing our multi-day itineraries in this most thrilling stretch of all. Those who want to ride some genuine wildwater while nabbing the most immaculate views of the famous Royal Gorge—from the very heart of it!—ought to consider this option.
Ranking right at the top among our most popular rafting trips—marking that sweet spot of great scenery, ample wildlife-viewing, and mid-range rapids—the Arkansas River’s Bighorn Sheep Canyon is an honest-to-goodness crowd-pleaser: Everyone from novice to expert rafters is likely to thoroughly enjoy themselves on this fun-for-all-ages stretch, which looks and feels like remote wildland but is just minutes from Cañon City and also readily road-accessible.
Serving up spunky but accessible Class III (Class IV in the biggest flows) rapids and—as the name indicates—decent odds of spotting some mountain sheep, this canyon stretch is one we run as half day trip (3 hours) or a full-day (6 hours) experience—the latter with a riverside lunch incorporated—and is also combinable with the Royal Gorge and as part of a multi-day adventure.
The Upper Bighorn Sheep Canyon is even milder than the mainstem course, and the perfect choice for families with young children and anybody more into a float than a real adrenaline-pumper of a whitewater run.
There’s no paddling even required on this half-day affair, which sees you ease your way along five-ish miles for about 1.5 hours of water time (a 3-hour trip total). This über-relaxing, scenery-drenched river trip is as beginner-friendly as they come, with a minimum age cutoff of only four years old!
With decades of experience under our belt and the sort of back-of-our-hand familiarity with this stellar whitewater you want from a rafting outfitter, the team here at Echo Canyon River Expeditions is honored to deliver some of the preeminent whitewater rafting Colorado offers.
Between our meticulously trained, super-skillful, and also mighty personable river guides to our partner lodgings at Royal Gorge Cabins and all the associated activities (including rafting combo packages) available here in this awe-inspiring Royal Gorge Region of ours, we’re your go-to choice for river adventures in this gobsmacking country!
Safety is our top priority here at Echo Canyon: Always has been, always will be.
We use the highest-quality equipment—from our rafts to the PFDs, helmets, splash jackets, wetsuits, and other gear we supply to all of our guests—and train our river guides with five weeks of intense, on-the-water training. Learn more about our dedication to whitewater safety in our “Safety First” blog post.
The helmets, PFDs, wetsuits, splash jackets, and river shoes we provide at no cost to all rafting guests ensure a solid foundation for your rafting experience. But you’ll still want to pack and dress appropriately for some good old-fashioned river time. Here’s a primer on what to bring for the white water rafting Cañon City serves up!
Intrigued by the idea of rafting some of the finest whitewater in the country, here in the great state of Colorado and the glorious Royal Gorge Region? The Echo Canyon team is here to field questions, help you devise the perfect on-the-river getaway, and otherwise serve as a trip-planning resource. Touch base with us online, by calling (800) 755-3246, or emailing info@RaftEcho.com.
There’s nothing quite like enjoying the fun outdoor adventures of beautiful Colorado. Experience the finest white water rafting that Canon City has to offer with Echo Canyon. Reach out to our rafting experts today for more information on booking your unforgettable rafting trip.
You do not! We have trips for every experience level, including stone-cold newbies. We absolutely love introducing people to the joys of whitewater rafting!
Learn more about what to wear and what not to wear while riding those rapids (or floating that flow) in our What to Wear while rafting blog.
All of our Echo Canyon trips depart regardless of weather conditions; however, we do take into account real-time factors such as lightning.
You sure can—and customizable, too! Learn more about group rafting trips here.
Contact our team here to make a reservation, or book online here.
You bet! All gear is included on an Echo Canyon River Expeditions odyssey: helmets, PFDs, river shoes, splash jackets, and wetsuits.
Hopefully, the above info has helped you narrow down the perfect choice for white water rafting Cañon City-style! But don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Echo Canyon team to ask directly about our exceptional service, guided rafting tours, rafting packages in Cañon City, and customer reviews—and whatever else!
Echo Canyon River Expeditions
45000 W US Highway 50
Cañon City, CO 81212
(800) 755-3246
(719) 275-3154
Info@Raftecho.com
News & Deals
"*" indicates required fields