Royal Gorge Whitewater Rafting – Arkansas River – Colorado

125 Miles – Class II-V - half to 4 days Situated in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains west of Colorado Springs and southwest of Denver, the Arkansas River drops over 5,000 feet over its first 125 miles from its headwaters in Leadville, Colorado through the pink granite walls of Browns Canyon adjacent to Browns Canyon Wilderness Area, a 6600 acre BLM Wilderness Study Area on into the 1,000 foot shadows of the famous Royal Gorge. This location is known all across Colorado for Royal Gorge rafting. This river is mostly visited my families looking for white water rafting in a safe area with beautiful views of the Arkansas River.

Originally settled in 1859 with the discovery of gold, the Arkansas River boasts Wild West ghost towns including St Elmo and Turret and “banana belt” weather with virtually no humidity and 300+ days of sunshine each year. This spectacular river sports views of the 14,000 foot Collegiate and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges with rafting available May-September.

This river provides a way for visitors to experience Royal Gorge whitewater rafting. From the snowy peaks of the Sawatch Range through Big Horn Sheep Canyon to the finale of the Royal Gorge near Canon City, the Arkansas River is one of the most popular Royal Gorge whitewater rafting runs in North America with all classes of rafting and also ideal for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. Bill Dvorak Rafting and Kayak Expeditions offers a wide range of trips on the Arkansas River rafting ranging from half-days to multi day excursions. Whether you seek a family vacation or the rush of Class V whitewater, Dvorak Expeditions has an ideal Arkansas River rafting trip for you which will create lasting memories.

Rafting the Arkansas River:

PINE CREEK BOOK FULL DAY NOW

(6 miles): The most challenging stretch of the Arkansas. Only for those who have paddled the Royal Gorge or the Numbers with us before. Minimum age of 18. Class IV-V.

THE NUMBERS BOOK FULL DAY | BOOK AM TRIP | BOOK PM TRIP

(14 miles): The Arkansas River’s “big bang”. This challenging section of 6 rapids is run only at certain water levels and paddlers must be at least 18 years of age. Class III-IV+

BROWNS CANYON BOOK FULL DAY | BOOK AM TRIP | BOOK PM TRIP

BOOK OUR BROWNS CANYON – TWO DAY OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE TRIP!

(See more Multi-day Trip options below)

(16 miles): Downstream of the Numbers the Arkansas River slices through solid pink granite carving the beautiful Browns Canyon. A new challenge or an exhilarating first experience. Class II-III+

SALIDA CANYON

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(12 miles): The Salida Canyon Rafting Trip starts where the canyon walls open up to beautiful views of the snow covered Sangre de Cristo Mountains, rising to over 14,000 feet. The rapids are less technical but no less exciting for an introductory river experience. Class II-III

BIG HORN SHEEP CANYON

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(21 miles): The Canyon walls open to stunning views of the snow-covered Sangre de Cristo Mountains rising to over 14,000 feet. Stretching between Salida, Cotopaxi and Parkdale, these rapids are less technical than Browns Canyon but no less exciting for an introductory river experience. Class II-III

ROYAL GORGE

BOOK FULL DAY | BOOK AM TRIP | BOOK PM TRIP

(18 Miles): Listen to your heart pound.. “The Gorge” was originally the location where boaters took out their boats, letting the Arkansas River charge on without them. The Royal Gorge has become the cutting edge of whitewater thrills throughout America’s southwest. Minimum age is 18. Class IV-V