The Arkansas River—second-longest tributary of the Mississippi-Missouri drainage—rises in the soaring heights of Colorado’s Southern Rocky Mountains, the ample snowpack of which fuels one of the most legendary whitewater flows in North America. Here at Echo Canyon River Expeditions, we thank our lucky stars each day that we get to lead the very best Arkansas River rafting trips for everyone from beginners to experts.
The “Ark” delivers a fabulous blend of top-caliber and diverse rapids—across a full range of difficulty levels—combined with excellent accessibility. Highway access every 10 miles or so along prime river-running stretches sets the stage for easy (and unforgettable) daytrips, and meanwhile multi-day adventures are very much possible as well.
How do you choose which section (or sections) of this mighty stream to experience? Well, as it happens, some of our returning guests end up logging all the showstopper reaches, but if this is perhaps your first Echo Canyon trip, the following should help steer you to the right itinerary for starters.
Understanding Rafting Classifications
River rapids are classified via the International Scale of River Difficulty system, which from a general recreational/commercial rafting standpoint runs from Class I to Class V+ (with Class VI—“Extreme & Exploratory Rapids”—being essentially unrunnable for the vast majority of rafters and paddlers).
We can also speak more broadly and, to some extent, subjectively about the basic difficulty level of a section of river: i.e., a basic “beginner-,” “intermediate-,” or “advanced-level” sort of breakdown. It goes without saying that the technical class-rating of rapids and reaches influences that more general description.
Similar to any kind of outdoor adventure planning, the key to selecting the right rafting trip for you and the rest of your party is assessing everybody’s experience level, physical fitness, age, swimming ability, and relative comfort with fast-paced, adrenaline-surging activity. A person who’s never run a river before but who, nonetheless, is in good shape, a strong swimmer, and a keen listener can be a prime candidate for one of our intermediate rafting adventures, given they go down (as with all of our Arkansas River rafting packages) under the leadership of an ace river guide. In another sort of scenario, a rafting newbie who’s on the more timid side of things—and, hey, nothing wrong with that!—may want to ease into things with a tamer, beginner-friendly section.
The good news is, on a river such as the Arkansas, in the glorious canyons we run through, any trip—beginner, intermediate, or advanced—yields wonderful scenery, abundant wildlife, and really rewarding riding-the-current vibes.
Top Sections of the Arkansas River: Choosing the Best Arkansas River Rafting Trips for Your Abilities & Goals
Let’s take a look at the trip details for three of our go-to Arkansas River rafting routes near Cañon City, Colorado, progressing from easiest to hardest.
Our Gentle Scenic Float is our tamest, lowest-intensity trip, passing through the placid, handsomely situated section of the Upper Bighorn Sheep Canyon. The perfect choice for families with young children—kiddos as young as four years old can participate, so long as they hit the minimum weight (for PFD-fitting purposes) of 30 pounds—as well as older folks who might not feel physically up for rougher waters. This is basically a Class II-and-under trip, with primarily rolling swiftwater spiced up here and there with a few waves that’ll wash over the bow and give you a little cool-off splash or two. No participatory paddling is required, though you certainly can join in if you’d like. The Scenic Float is a great choice for folks who don’t know how to swim or consider themselves weak swimmers.
When it comes to family friendly rafting for older kids and middle-of-the-road thrills, look no further than our Bighorn Sheep Canyon trip: our most popular excursion, in fact, given it appeals to the broadest swath of guests. This pretty—and, yes, very wildlife-rich—canyon provides a well-balanced recipe of laidback floating and mid-range rapids: typically Class III (“Intermediate”), though seasonally getting to Class IV level under the highest flows. Open to rafters six years old and up, with a minimum weight of 50 pounds, this route doesn’t necessarily require that you be a particularly strong swimmer, though we do recommend you at least know how. We guide the Bighorn Sheep Canyon for both half-day and full day whitewater rafting, and the route can be woven into our multi-day adventures, too.
And there’s our advanced, adventure-class rafting trip: the Royal Gorge, host to legendary Arkansas River rapids that normally run at Class IV level but can hit Class V with peak runoff. Rafters must be at least 13 years old to join one of these outings, and all guests should be strong swimmers with the ability to self-rescue—not to mention listen closely to guide commands and other instructions. Running the Royal Gorge (as a half-day, full-day, or multi-day package) is awesome high adventure and a real bucket-list experience.
In terms of how skill level should influence which trip you select, some of this, as we’ve already alluded to, comes down to your physical fitness level, swimming proficiency, and general constitution—not just whether you’ve rafted before. We’ve had many beginner rafters run the Bighorn Sheep Canyon. We wouldn’t recommend, meanwhile, the Royal Gorge for a complete newbie: That’s best tackled once you’ve had some firsthand experience with at least Class III rapids.
What about Arkansas River safety tips? Well, at Echo Canyon, that’s our first and foremost priority, and we actually implement the very same safety measures and use the same rafting gear for all of our trips: beginner-level Scenic Float to adventure-class Royal Gorge. From our Coast Guard-approved PFDs and helmets to the meticulous safety briefings we provide ahead of any outing, rest assured you’re in careful and experienced hands with our team.
Best Times of Year to Raft the Arkansas River
As with so many rivers in the American West, the Arkansas fluctuates in terms of volume, strength, and speed with the natural timetable of snowmelt as well as the more unpredictable influence of cloudbursts, rainstorms, and other precipitation. The Rocky Mountain snowpack and its melt-off sets the main rhythm.
Our early season (May-June), coinciding with maximum runoff from the receding high-country snows, sees the biggest, swiftest flows and the most extreme adventure. Bighorn Sheep Canyon rapids can get to Class IV this time of year, and the Royal Gorge can roar with a few Class V monsters such as Sunshine Falls and Sledgehammer. Our “ladder season,” August through September, usually sees the lowest, mildest flows of the rafting period. The most popular time to raft with us is typically July, basically mid-season, when flows have come down a bit from peak volume but are still surging along nicely, providing that sweet spot of moderate rapids with broad-based appeal.
Remember: You can have an amazing rafting experience anytime in the summer with Echo Canyon River Expeditions. Come ride the Arkansas with us whenever your schedule allows—we’ll help you select the best route for you based on river conditions, experience level, and personal preferences.
Book a Thrilling Rafting Experience With Echo Canyon
Expect the best Arkansas River rafting trips out there with Echo Canyon River Expeditions, whatever section you run and whenever in the river-running season you can join us!
Contact our rafting specialists today, and let’s discuss our thrilling rafting trips designed just for you—no matter your skill level. We can’t wait to help you create lasting memories on the Arkansas River.
