Whitewater rafting is a premier recreational activity, one of the greatest adventures—and most immersive experiences—that one can have in the great outdoors. And it’s an adventure that appeals to a wide range of participants: not only in terms of skill/experience level, but also age. Indeed, booking a family rafting trip makes for an unforgettable vacation—memories you’ll all treasure for the long haul.
At Echo Canyon River Expeditions, we’ve been leading family groups on spectacular rafting trips along the Arkansas River since the late 1970s. In other words, we know a thing or two about how parents can go about preparing children for rafting!
Types of Rafting Experiences for Families
When it comes to kid-friendly rafting in Colorado, the sky’s the limit. From easygoing floats to hardcore Class V adventures, you’ll find the full spectrum of whitewater experiences in the Centennial State, among them without question some of the finest river-running opportunities in the country. The trick is booking a family rafting trip that fits the abilities, preferences, and aspirations of your particular group.
Especially if you’re planning family rafting adventures for younger children, it’s often a good idea to select a half-day itinerary. Such an outing provides a fantastic introduction to the pleasures of running a river without being too exhausting or drawn-out. Here at Echo Canyon River Expeditions, we lead a variety of half-day trips on the Arkansas covering different skill and ability levels.
These include the ultra-beginner-friendly Scenic Float, a fantastic choice for families with very young kids or more timid rafters, as well as the intermediate-level Bighorn Sheep Canyon, our most popular trip, one that typically appeals to the widest range of rafters. Half-day trips are also possible through the superlative Royal Gorge, though this is a challenging and technical route demanding previous whitewater experience, and being game for rapids as gnarly as Class IV+/V.
Indeed, the breadth of our river trips, the quality of our exceptionally well-trained guides and our rafting gear, and the many glories of the Arkansas reaches we run make Echo Canyon an unparalleled family-friendly rafting company in Colorado. That we’re so easily accessible from major metro hubs such as Colorado Springs—and so close to other outdoor attractions and activities—is all the more reason to choose us for your river-running family vacation!
Raft Bighorn Sheep Canyon
The ultimate family rafting experience in Colorado. Our most sought-after adventure – perfect for the little adventurer or the kid-at-heart.
- Class I-III rapids (class IV at higher flows)
- Minimum age recommendation 6+ years
- Half-day and full-day trips
- Lunch included on full day raft trips
- Raft through the heart of big horn sheep country
- $129 per person | FREE wetsuit gear use
Raft the Royal Gorge
Heart-pounding excitement in class III to V rapids more than 1,000 feet below the Royal Gorge Bridge. You’ll tackle world class rapids like Sunshine Falls and Sledgehammer.
- Adventure whitewater – class III-V rapids in most flows
- Minimum age recommendation 13+ years
- Half-day and full-day trips
- Lunch included on full day raft trips
- Paddle through the heart of the canyon, with the Royal Gorge bridge 955 feet overhead.
- $139 per person | FREE wetsuit gear use
Scenic family float
Take a relaxing float down the Arkansas River while you take in the sights, sounds, and wildlife with your family and friends.
- Class I-II (class III at higher flows)
- Minimum age recommendation 4+ years
- Half-day trip lasts a total of 3 hours, with about 1.5 hours on the river
- Wetsuit gear available at no additional charge
- Splash, paddle, laugh, and bring out the kid in everyone.
- $129 per person | FREE wetsuit gear use
Planning a Family Rafting Adventure: Rafting Age Requirements
Are there any age restrictions for children to participate in rafting trips? Definitely. While there is a lot of wiggle room when it comes to a given person’s readiness for a particular rafting trip—some teenagers, for example, may be significantly more experienced with high-level rapids than folks decades older than they—we do set age limits on our Echo Canyon River Expeditions trips in the interest of safety.
That said, there’s an Echo Canyon trip for most families. Kiddos as young as about four years old (so long as they’re at least 35 pounds) can ride along the gentle current of our Scenic Float, which involves a few fun waves and riffles but mainly emphasizes kicking back and drinking in the scenery of the Arkansas River corridor.
Our Bighorn Sheep Canyon trip, which is an awesome balance of lively rapids (usually maxing out at Class III, but nudging into Class IV territory during peak flow) and more chillaxing swiftwater, is open to rafters as young as six years old. This most popular trip of ours makes a great introduction to whitewater.
We require rafters to be at least 13 years old to join our more technical Royal Gorge runs, which form our premier adventure-rafting experience. Ideal for those seeking big-time thrills and adrenaline-pumping action, the Royal Gorge trip necessitates that guests be comfortable with self-rescue and strong swimmers.
River Safety Tips for Families
Families need to make sure a river trip they’re considering is suitable for every member of the party, and should choose a package appropriate for the youngest, least-experienced, and/or least physically capable person. If you’ve got family members who are really jonesing for high excitement even though others in the group aren’t up to that level, then you ought to consider splitting your group for different experiences.
We supply Coast Guard-certified PFDs as well as helmets for all of our guests. Wearing this safety gear is essential, as any river environment can be dangerous. Whirlpools, holes, boulders, strainers: Whitewater is inherently risky, and no place for recklessness or negligence. At Echo Canyon, we implement the same safety procedures for every rafting trip we take, even the low-grade Scenic Float.
Our Echo Canyon river guides are some of the best in the business. Paying attention to their safety briefings and on-the-water instructions at all times is of paramount importance.
Preparing Children for a Rafting Adventure
On that count, make sure that kids understand how critical it is to listen and follow directions when joining a rafting trip. It’s always beneficial to physically prepare, too. Swimming lessons are a very good idea indeed. Although it’s possible to experience some of our lower-level trips without being a good swimmer, we don’t exactly recommend it.
What should parents pack for a family rafting trip? Bring along appropriate clothing—learn more here—as well as waterproof sunscreen and refillable water bottles. You can certainly tote a camera, kept secure in a waterproof case or pouch or mounted in a GoPro setup, but keep in mind that Echo Canyon staff document each trip and can provide photos and videos for purchase.
Planning and Booking a Family Rafting Trip
Contact the rafting experts at Echo Canyon today to book your family rafting adventure and ensure a safe and memorable experience for your loved ones.
