Whitewater Rafting FAqs

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Popular questions

Echo Canyon River Expeditions was started in 1978 with the goal of providing the best possible river experience. The size of our company has grown substantially since those early days, but our team spirit, dedication, and attention to detail is still at its best. Safety is our primary concern. Our guides are devoted professionals who are interesting, intelligent, and fun to be with. They are experts in everything from rowing a rapid to sharing a good story. All guides go through an extensive training program and are First Aid and CPR certified. We are proud of the varied qualities our staff contributes to our company. The most innovative and top quality equipment is used and we only use self bailing rafts. We take pride in the fact that most of our guests have been with us before or were referred to us by someone who was ā€” quality and satisfaction keeps bringing them back! Experience the ā€œECHO DIFFERENCEā€. Learn more aboutĀ why you should raft with us.

There is no “best time”, however we would suggest planning based on seasonal weather and flows. Our regular season runs from mid-April through mid-September. The Arkansas River typically reaches its peak sometime between mid-May and early July producing some of the best whitewater in Colorado. May and June tend to have cooler air temperatures and a chance for late afternoon showers. July through early September are the warm and sunny months with somewhat lower water levels.

The charm and excitement of whitewater rafting is due in part to the unpredictable nature of the activity. The more challenging the rapid the more difficult it is to navigate successfully. Fluctuating water levels, weather and other variables are difficult to predict. Quality river trips depend largely on the skill and personality of the river guide. We carefully hand select our guides on that premise. All of our buses are equipped with radios to facilitate necessary communication. Our family of staff will contribute their knowledge and skills to ensure an enjoyable experience. We have safety protocol in place to address those instances that may present themselves. For your safety and ours, no alcohol or illegal drugs are permitted before or during the trip. Those who do not adhere to this very basic request will not be allowed to participate nor will a refund be available. We do our best to help you select a trip appropriate for your group, althoughĀ you as the guest have certain responsibilitiesĀ to ensure you have a fun and memorable experience.

Yes. Release Forms are required to be completed in advance for most activities reserved by Echo Canyon. Below is a complete list of release forms you may need to complete, depending on the activities you have reserved with us. If you have any questions about which forms are required, please contact our phone staff and we will assist you.

  • Echo Canyon River Expeditions ā€“ Rafting Release Form
    Before embarking on any river trip with Echo Canyon River Expeditions, each guest must read, understand, and sign our Assumption of Risk, Release of Liability and Indemnification Agreement Form. Please note that if you are traveling with minors other than your own you must have this document completed and signed by the parent or legal guardian prior to participation. As a guest will be emailed a link to complete online liability waivers in advance of your trip. If you wish to review a draft of the waiver a view-only version can be foundĀ here, but realize this form is a draft version for review purposes only and will not be accepted if downloaded and completed.Ā Trips that require this release form include: Bighorn Sheep Canyon, Royal Gorge, Scenic Float, Raft-n-RailĀ®, Raft-n-Bridgeā„¢, Raft & ATV
  • Adventures Out WestĀ (AOW) ā€“ Zip LineĀ Release Form
    Zip line adventures require the AOWĀ Release FormĀ is read, understood and signed by participants.Ā All minors (under age 18) must sign AS WELL AS their parents or legal guardians in order to participate in AOWā€™s zip line tours.Ā Activities that require this release form include: Two Hour Zipline Tour with AOW in Manitou Springs, Two Hour Group Zipline Tour with AOW in Manitou Springs.

Our river trips leave as scheduled, rain or shine. However, we reserve the right to cancel or shorten a trip due to extreme weather conditions if we feel it would be unsafe to continue.

No! Every person on the trip will be issued a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type V Personal Flotation Device, better known as a life jacket. These devices are designed to float your head above the surface of the water even if you do not know how to swim. It needs to be noted that on any raft trip, particularly our more advanced trips, having the ability to swim will greatly enhance your comfort zone as well as your ability to get out of the river in the event you should find yourself out of the raft. A detailed safety lecture of instructions is given before the rafts are launched. Swimming ability is strongly recommended on our more advanced river trips.Ā Click hereĀ to read more about your responsibility as a guest to ensure a fun and memorable experience.

Planning your trip

First time paddlers and seasoned boaters alike will enjoy the class III whitewater of the Parkdale run also known asĀ Bighorn Sheep CanyonĀ of the Arkansas. OurĀ half-day tripĀ will encounter several major rapids; and once you start, the fun doesnā€™t end until you finish the trip. TheĀ full-day tripĀ is action-packed with over 20 invigorating rapids. Youā€™ll have ample time to relish the exquisite mountain scenery and enjoy our scrumptious riverside lunch.

For the experienced rafter wanting the ultimate in whitewater and outstanding scenery, the choice should be theĀ Royal Gorge. TheĀ half-day tripĀ is a thrill-a-minute expedition for those with previous paddling experience and on a tight schedule. TheĀ full-day tripĀ is nationally known as being one of the Top 10 river runs in the U.S.A. Good physical conditioning as well as swimming ability is recommended for all trips through the Royal Gorge (recommended minimum age is 13-18 years old).

When considering which trip to choose, please consider the suggestions on ourĀ Guest Responsibility documentĀ to ensure a fun and memorable experience for your group.

We offer severalĀ multi-day combinationsĀ of our Arkansas River trips to provide overnight trips for all experience levels. The Browns Canyon and Royal Gorge 2-day trip is the most popular multi-day trip and for good reason. It includes a wonderful balance of scenery and adrenaline. The 2-day Bighorn Canyon & Browns Canyon is the mildest overnight trip.

There is no “best time”, however we would suggest planning based on seasonal weather and flows. Our regular season runs from mid-April through mid-September. The Arkansas River typically reaches its peak sometime between mid-May and early July producing some of the best whitewater in Colorado. May and June tend to have cooler air temperatures and a chance for late afternoon showers. July through early September are the warm and sunny months with somewhat lower water levels.

Yes! 8 Mile Bar & Grill provides a wide selection of Colorado crafted brews, fresh meals, and snacks for the whole family.

Our restaurant opens to our outdoor patio so you can soak in the mountain scenery and sunshine. Check out our menu and bring your appetite.

Our riverside lunch available on full day trips includes a delicious boxed lunch. The exact contents of the meal may vary slightly, but guests can typically expect a deli-style sandwich, pickle spear, a bag of Boulder chips, three bean salad or potato salad, fresh fruit, cookies, and water or sparkling water.Ā 

Doubling as a chef at mealtime on multi-day river trips, our guides will amaze you with the tasty meals from the ā€œriverside kitchenā€. Fresh fruit, pancakes, juice, coffee, and English muffins with egg and meat dishes constitute a typical breakfast on multi-day trips. For dinner, we prepare tasty appetizers, hearty well-rounded meals and deliciousĀ desserts. Youā€™ll leave the campfire feeling satisfied! The warm, friendly personalities of our guides rounds out every meal. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements you may have in advance and we will be happy to accommodate you.

Any medical condition or physical disability must be reported to Echo Canyon River Expeditions when you make your reservation as well as written on the Release of Liability and Acknowledgement of Risk form. Be sure to advise the Echo ā€œtrip leaderā€ and your guide of your condition before the trip. Bring along any prescribed medication you may require. Please consult with your family physician for medical approval before your trip. We do NOT recommend whitewater rafting if you have any of the following conditions: heart or lung conditions, severe asthma, back problems, recent surgery, obesity or osteoporosis. Pregnant women should NOT participate in a white water rafting trip. If you suffer from anaphylaxis you will need to bring you epi-pen with you on the trip. Please ask one of our helpful reservationists for assistance as they may be able to direct you to a particular trip that is suitable.

Our 14 foot self-bailing rafts will accommodate 7-8 guests and 1 guide. At lower water levels we will usually take no more than six guests in a raft. When planning a trip for a group try to reserve in multiples of 7. For example; a group of 14 would be divided into 2 groups of 7 and placed in 2 rafts. On all days we attempt to fill our seats, so a group of 10 may be asked to split with 7 and 3, with the group of 7 in one raft and the 3 placed in a raft with 4 people from a different group. If you wish to guarantee your own exclusive raft with only members of you party you may purchase the additional spots in the raft. Discounts for this option may be available on certain days.

Sure! Be sure and do so when you first make your reservation. We will do our best to honor your request; however, they may be requested by multiple guests on the same day or may be working on another section of the river. Also, to be fair and equitable to our staff, we DO NOT honor guide requests based on experience level, gender, age, race, or other discriminatory characteristics.Ā 

Gearing up for your adventure

ā€œHypothermiaā€ or the loss of body heat, is the biggest cause of discomfort on river trips. Even in sunny, 80 degree weather, the wrong combination of water, temperature, wind, and wet clothing can bring it on. To combat this, avoid cotton clothing and instead go with synthetic layers that will both wick moisture away from your skin and insulate your body at the same time. Many guests start with bathing suits or synthetic undergarments, followed by board shorts, capri pants, or tights. A short sleeve or long sleeve shirt made of athletic / performance knit fabric is a great choice for your upper body. Feel free to bring along a rain jacket or shell ā€“ jackets with velcro closures at the wrist and a cinch strap the waist are the best choice. If you own a wetsuit consider bringing it along. If not, we suggest using our complimentary wetsuits. Wetsuit gear available includes wetsuits, splash jackets, and river shoes. We have a large inventory of wetsuit gear, but availability is based on a first come first served basis. Cotton clothing, ESPECIALLY BLUE JEANS or SWEATS, are NOT ACCEPTABLE because they hold cold moisture next to your skin. We do require secure footwear while rafting; this could be light weight sneakers, water shoes, sports sandals, our river shoes or any other type of footwear that straps or stays securely on your feet. We do not allow flip flops or Croc sandals ā€“ they are not secure and end up littering the river. Those embarking on Multi-Day Trips shouldĀ download a copy of our Multi-day Packing ChecklistĀ (PDF file).

All necessary river equipment is provided for you. Echo Canyon River Expeditions adheres to the following policy when it comes to rafting equipment: nothing can replace top quality. In addition to personal flotation devices (PFDs), helmets, paddles and other rafting gear necessary, our guests are also welcome to use our wetsuit gear with no additional cost. This includes wetsuits, splash jackets, and river shoes. While we have a large inventory of wetsuit gear, if you know you will want to use a wetsuit or shoes then you are encouraged to arrive a full 30 minutes before your trip (or sooner) for the best chance of having access to the gear. All equipment is maintained and we replace equipment when we feel it is necessary.

No. Weā€™ll make recommendations at check-in if we think youā€™ll need a wetsuit, splash jacket, or river shoes. Our wetsuit gear is available to our guests for no additional charge. We have a large inventory of gear, but it is still limited to the inventory available, so arrive at least 30 minutes before your trip if you know youā€™ll want/need wetsuit gear!

For the warmer trips in late June, July, and early August, shorts, bathing suit, and sneakers are proper attire, as most days are sunny and hot. We suggest you leave a change of clothes in your car as you WILL get wet! Items such as snacks, beverages, t-shirts, hats, sunglasses, shorts, eye-glass retainers, water-proof cameras and sunscreen are available at our shop. We also carry top of the line wetsuits that are well maintained to insure performance and cleanliness. Reservations are not required.

You certainly do! We are rafting in an arid environment at an elevation of over 6,000 feet, so the sunā€™s rays are quite intense and sunburn occurs even on cooler or cloudy days. Consider bringing waterproof sunscreen and feel free to bring it along on the raft. Feel free to wear a ball cap, but full brim hats are not as comfortable as they donā€™t fit well under the required helmet we provide. Even if itā€™s a 100 degree day we still encourage guests to wear a long sleeve synthetic shirt for sun protection.Ā 

We encourage all guests to bring a refillable water bottle and bring it along on the raft to avoid dehydration and altitude fatigue. Our rafts have a community mesh bag attached to them for the purpose of storing water bottles and sunscreen.

Many guests bring waterproof cameras or cell phones (with a proper waterproof case/pouch), but please realize bringing electronic devices is at your own risk.Ā  Waterproof cell phone cases / pouches are usually available for purchase in our retail store, but please donā€™t rely on this as inventories vary. Please do not trust a standard ziplock bag ā€“ or even two ziplocks ā€“ to keep your phone dry! It never works!

GoPro cameras can be brought on trips as well. The best type of mount is the elastic helmet mount for GoPros. We do not allow the stick-on mounts as this can damage the surface of our helmets. We also donā€™t allow selfie sticks as these have too often hit other guests on the raft when we hit big waves or bump into rocks.

Keep in mind that Echo Canyon has aĀ photo programĀ capturing photos and video while you raft. These will be available to view and purchase about 15-20 minutes after your trip. There is no obligation to purchase the photos or videos ā€“ we capture footage on each trip and you can view and / or purchase back at our rafting office.

If you are in good health and would like to participate, paddle rafting is the choice for you. Each person has a paddle in their hand and the guide will give instructions and commands of what to do. You will need to continue to paddle in the rapids. If you prefer to hold on and enjoy the ride and mountain scenery, the oar rigged raft is for you. It is recommended that children, age 12 and under, ride in an oar raft with a parent or legal guardian. All oar boats will have several paddles available so guests and children can participate if they choose while the guide controls the raft with his/her oars.

Reservations & Payment

Itā€™s EASY!Ā Reserve onlineĀ or callĀ 1-800-755-ECHO(3246)Ā 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week during our season (May through August) and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday during the off season.

Echo Canyon River Expeditions accepts cash, cashierā€™s checks, travelersā€™ checks, money orders, Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express. We can accept personal checks ONLY if it is received in our office no less than 21 days before your trip departure date. Personal checks will not be accepted less than 21 days before your trip date.

There is no ā€œtaxā€ to raft but there are user fees since we are accessing state land and private land in most cases. Land, water and access or user fees vary from river to river averaging 9.4%.

Yes! River trips make great gifts! Select a particular trip for the recipient or give a dollar value certificate and let them arrange the river trip and date to suit their schedule.

Yes. Although our staff is compensated for their services, as in any professional service, an exceptional job by any staff member may merit a gratuity. If you are booking for a group and wish to add a $10 to $15 per person auto gratuity our staff can assist you while making your reservation.

Echo Canyon's Rafting Policies

Once payment has been submitted reservations will not be refunded for any reason. All trips depart as scheduled regardless of weather conditions.Ā 

All participants are required to complete ourĀ liability waiverĀ prior to rafting.Ā  A draft version of our liability waiver can be foundĀ here, but realize this version may not be completed in lieu of our online waiver which is the required form of submission. Please note that if you are traveling with minors other than your own you must have this document completed and signed by the parent or legal guardian prior to participation. As a guest will be emailed a link to complete online liability waivers in advance of your trip.

You are responsible for arriving at the correct river office. You must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. All trips depart as scheduled.

Do you or any member of your party have any physical or mental conditions we need to be aware of? i.e. heart or lung condition, diabetes, pregnancy, obesity, special needs, or any other condition that could affect your health and safety while joining us? If so, you agree to inform Echo Canyon well in advance of your raft trip about your medical or physical condition.

Cancellation guarantee fee

We understand that reserving a rafting trip requires a financial commitment. No one plans on cancelling a trip, but unforeseen events can change plans as your travel date nears.

For this reason we offer our Cancellation Guarantee ā€“ an additional fee of 7.5% of your reservation total made at the time of booking that affords you more leeway with canceling your trip with a nominal financial penalty. Purchasing the Cancellation Guarantee is only available at the time of booking. When booking a trip online, guests have the option of opting out of the Cancellation Guarantee before submitting payment. Guests who opt out of the Cancellation Guarantee, or reservations not eligible for the Cancellation Guarantee are subject to our Standard Cancellation Policy. Below are the the details of our Cancellation Guaranteeā€¦

  • Cancellations made prior to 48 hours in advance of check-in time receive a refund less 7.5% of the reservation total.
  • Cancellations made prior to 24 hours in advance of check-in time receive a credit for a calendar year.
  • Cancellations made within 24 hours of check-in time are not subject to a refund or a credit.
  • Guests who opt out of the Cancellation Guarantee or reservations not eligible for the
  • Cancellation Guarantee are subject to our Standard Cancellation Policy.
Cancel 48 hours or more prior to check-in time Cancel 24 hours or more prior to check-in time Cancel less than 24 hours before check-in time
With Cancellation Guarantee Guest receives a refund less 7.5% of reservation total Guest receives a credit good for one calendar year Guest does not receive a refund
Without Cancellation Guarantee (Standard Cancellation Policy) Guest does not receive a refund Guest does not receive a refund Guest does not receive a refund

Echo Canyon's Lodging Policies

Cancellation guarantee fee

No one plans on cancelling a trip, but unforeseen events can change plans as your travel date nears. For this reason we offer our Cancellation Guarantee ā€“ an additional fee of 7.5% of your reservation total made at the time of booking that affords you more leeway with cancelling your trip with a nominal financial penalty. Purchasing the Cancellation Guarantee is only available at the time of booking. When booking lodging online, guests have the option of opting out out of the Cancellation Guarantee before submitting payment. Guests who opt out of the Cancellation Guarantee, or reservations not eligible for the Cancellation Guarantee are subject to our Standard Cancellation Policy. Below are the the details of our Cancellation Guaranteeā€¦Ā 

  • Cancellations made prior to 48 hours in advance of check-in time receive a refund less 7.5% of the reservation total.
  • Cancellations made prior to 24 hours in advance of check-in time receive a credit for a calendar year.
  • Cancellations made within 24 hours of check-in time are not subject to a refund or a credit.
  • Guests who opt out of the Cancellation Guarantee or reservations not eligible for the Cancellation Guarantee are subject to our Standard Cancellation Policy.
Cancel 48 hours or more prior to check-in time Cancel 24 hours or more prior to check-in time Cancel less than 24 hours before check-in time
With Cancellation Guarantee Guest receives a refund less 7.5% of reservation total Guest receives a credit good for one calendar year Guest does not receive a refund
Without Cancellation Guarantee (Standard Cancellation Policy) Guest does not receive a refund Guest does not receive a refund Guest does not receive a refund