There’s really nothing like outdoor adventure and sightseeing with the whole gang, is there? Here at Echo Canyon River Expeditions, we’re proud to offer Colorado Springs family vacation packages of a wide variety—anchored, of course, by the absolutely first-rate whitewater rafting and float trips at the center of our long-running Cañon City business!
When it comes to kid-friendly activities in Colorado, we’ve got just what the doctor ordered: from family rafting to scenic train rides and ziplining. Let’s dig into the options!
While many of our Echo Canyon River Expeditions trips are popular with families—including, for some older teenagers, our more adventurous whitewater outings—the following Colorado Springs family vacation packages are among the most suited to young kids and teens.
Best for relaxing
Our scenic family float trips through the Arkansas River’s serene Upper Bighorn Sheep Canyon are the most laidback and relaxing rafting routes we guide at Echo Canyon—absolutely ideal for young children! Unlike some of our whitewater runs, these don’t require guests to paddle whatsoever: You just need to kick back and soak up the tranquility and natural splendor. The Scenic Float covers about five miles and 1.5 hours on the water (total trip time: roughly three hours), and mainly traverses easy Class II whitewater, with some periodic—and very mild—Class III rapids here and there.
The full experience
If your family wants a little more whitewater action—and the chance to see one of the most dazzling landscapes in Colorado up close and personal—consider our Raft & Rail package! This unbeatable combination includes a family river rafting voyage through the Class I-III/IV rapids of the Bighorn Sheep Canyon—our single most popular river trip, with a nice mix of beginner-friendly thrills and low-key sightseeing—followed by a two-hour train ride through the Royal Gorge, the so-called “Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River,” with unforgettable views of its titanic walls and the astonishing Royal Gorge Bridge.
Two whitewater options
Combine exciting whitewater river running with aerial exploits with our Raft & Zipline itinerary! For the rafting side of things, choose between the kid-friendly Class I-III/IV route through wildlife-rich Bighorn Sheep Canyon or the more challenging (Class IV-V)—and absolutely world-class—ride through the leaping rapids and monumental scenery of the Royal Gorge. Thanks to our partnership with Adventure Out West in nearby Manitou Springs, you’ll also enjoy a ridiculously fun ziplining experience on a five-cable course that includes the epic “Leap of Faith.”
Colorado Springs family vacation packages don’t come any better than the awesome trips and combo experiences we deliver at Echo Canyon River Expeditions! Whether you want a gentle river float with your tykes or a more adrenaline-pumping adventure you can all share, our super-fun outdoor activities for families include something for everybody.
Established in 1978, our company prides itself on training the most experienced river guides and maintaining top-of-the-line equipment, from our oar and paddle rafts to our Coast Guard-approved PFDs. Besides teaming up with kindred spirits such as Adventure Out West, we take our Colorado family vacation packages to the next level thanks to the perfect Cañon City accommodations with Royal Gorge Cabins, where you and the rest of the fam can bed down in decked-out cabins or glamping tents with stunning mountain views.
When is the best time of year to visit Colorado Springs for family activities? Well, the Cañon City area only about an hour away is part of Colorado’s “Banana Belt,” enjoying milder temperatures than most of the rest of the state. That makes it a year-round destination, with hiking, mountain biking, and rock-climbing opportunities just about any month of the calendar and easy access to such seasonal activities as whitewater rafting—best enjoyed from late spring into late summer—and snowsports, readily available in the glorious Southern Rockies right at our doorstep.
From the five intensive weeks of training our river guides undergo to our first-rate gear and thorough pre-trip briefings, you can expect the highest safety standards when you take advantage of the rafting and family activities we offer at Echo Canyon River Expeditions.
Ready to start planning a family getaway filled with whitewater awesomeness and other outdoor adventures? From choosing the best vacation packages for families to setting up your lodgings at Royal Gorge Cabins, the Echo Canyon River Expeditions team is at your service!
At Echo Canyon, we recognize the significance of creating unforgettable memories with your loved ones. We’re excited for you to experience our array of family-friendly activities on your next vacation. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today with any questions or inquiries you may have—we’re here to help!
8 Mile Bar & Grill
Try a local favorite—like our Colorado buffalo burger—after a long day on the river. You earned it!
Royal Gorge Cabins
Complete your day on the river in front of a cozy fireplace. Luxury cabins and glamping tents on-site.
Echo Canyon River Expeditions
45000 W US Highway 50
Cañon City, CO 81212
(800) 755-3246
(719) 275-3154
Info@Raftecho.com
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