No two Colorado Springs rafting trips are the same. There are many factors that make each one unique: water level, your guide, wildlife sightings, weather conditions, etc. And some trips offer some unexpected unique highlights that your group will talk about for years to come. How many of these can you check off your list?
Peak Water Levels
You have to time it right (think late May or early June), but if you’ve ever rafted at peak water levels, you know that it is a definite feather in your adrenaline-fueled cap. The rapids are bigger, the waves are stronger, and there is NO possible way that you’re going to finish the trip dry. We always have our guests’ safety in mind when booking these trips and will always help you choose a Colorado Springs rafting trip that will best fit your group’s needs. There are a number of sections on the river that offer varying levels of difficulty at any water level – like Bighorn Sheep Canyon for families, Royal Gorge for adventure-seekers, or Family Float for your little rafters. But if you’re interested in…
A Raft Guide with an Accent
Our guides are all amazing, but we can’t deny that there’s something pretty fun about hearing “Forward Two!” with an accent. It’s also pretty fun to hear about the stories that bring people from all over the world to become a whitewater raft guide. Ask any guide where they’re from and you’re likely to get an answer from a Texan, Australian, Californian, native Coloradan, and everything in between!
Waterfalls in the Gorge
There is nothing like seeing water cascading from one of the many side canyons in the Gorge. If you rafted with us in 2015, there’s a good chance you saw a waterfall or two, as we saw record rainfall in both spring and summer. It’s a rare – but beautiful – sight that makes your Colorado Springs rafting trip a little extra special. Waterfalls also crop up after a big rain, so there’s always a possibility of seeing one after one of those big, fast-moving storms roll through.
Bighorn Sheep Sighting
They’re often elusive and always hard to spot, but you have a pretty good chance of seeing one of these wild animals in both Bighorn Sheep Canyon and the Royal Gorge on your Colorado Springs rafting trip. Bighorn sheep are native to the Rocky Mountains and are protected in this area. Often in the spring you can even catch a glimpse of the young sheep venturing down to the water with a larger herd. Kids especially love seeing these animals, but you have to keep your eyes peeled!
Oh, Hail!
We’ve all been there: You have one day in your itinerary to go whitewater rafting and suddenly the weather in Colorado changes from sunny to dark skies in the space of a few minutes. Think your trip is ruined? Think again. Inclement weather is most often short-lived in the canyons, and with the right preparation (wetsuits, splash gear, and booties), you can still have a fantastic time on the water. It is very seldom that we see hail on the river, but when it happens, it is a talking point for years to come! If you brave balls of ice on your Colorado Springs rafting trip, you’ll have bragging rights in any situation. And don’t worry – you’re already wearing a helmet.
It may take you a few different Colorado Springs rafting trips to check all these unique and fun highlights off your list, but every day on the river is a good one. What are your own favorite sights or experiences on the river?
