We may be a little bit biased, but we happen to think that whitewater rafting is one of the pinnacle activities. Like the best recreational pursuits, rafting also connects you to landscape (and riverscape) in a deep, profound—and, yes, insanely fun—way. And given the remarkably high quality of white water the state offers, river running definitely ought to be on your Colorado bucket list!
Let’s dig into why—and why Echo Canyon River Expeditions is your go-to choice for a Colorado river rafting trip!
Why Whitewater Rafting in Colorado is a Must
Why do people like whitewater rafting? For anybody who has fallen under its spell, it’s almost hard to imagine asking such a question, but of course, many folks have never given whitewater a spin before. (And, needless to say, leading whitewater rafting for beginners is one of our specialties here at Echo Canyon.)
Whitewater rafting offers thrills, natural beauty, physical challenges, a bonding opportunity, stress relief, and the chance to forge some truly unforgettable memories. We’ll break down each of those benefits below!
Thrilling Adventure
Whitewater rafting involves riding an inflatable raft steered by oars or paddles down a rapids-strewn river. It’s those foaming rapids, of course, which really define whitewater, one expression of Mother Nature at her wildest.
Flashing down through holes, waves, pour-overs, and boulder gardens is a fast-paced, heart-pounding, adrenaline-surging rush, and very much its own singular adventure, even compared with other similarly high-octane outdoor activities.
Natural Beauty
Whitewater tends to go hand-in-hand with big-time natural splendor. While rapids, waves, and shoals form in many different geologic contexts, much of the most fabled whitewater roars through rugged, high-relief terrain where steep gradients, varying rock strata, and ample snowmelt plus speedy runoff give rivers major erosive power and seasonally high volume.
Long story short, a lot of the legendary river runs—including the iconic whitewater rafting in Colorado—go down in some gorgeous mountain gorges and canyons.
And a lot of this epic scenery, due to the rough topography and remote setting, is best appreciated from the river itself, riding through chasms and mountain gates that may or may not be easily accessible or even viewable onshore. In such settings, wildlife is often all the more visible and tends to be less spooked or bothered by rafters as compared to vehicles or people on foot.
Physical Challenge
Whitewater rafting can be a fabulous physical test of stamina and alertness, though to what degree depends on the reach of the river you’re running. After all, lower-grade sections (ideal for whitewater rafting for beginners) tend to give river runners plenty of blissful time enjoying the flatwater or riffled stretches between rapids. But if you’d like an all-hands-on-deck adventure, bigger whitewater delivers.
For instance, rafting the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River —one of the unquestionable Colorado bucket list rafting trips, and among our offerings here at Echo Canyon—involves paddling on and off for some seven miles (or about 45 minutes) through continuous rapids.
Swimming down a moving river is never an easy feat, and on many whitewater runs you’ll be an active participant in your own rescue, swimming yourself back to the boat or to shore.
A Bonding Opportunity
Those who raft together stay together! Similar to camping, backpacking, or mountain climbing, a Colorado River rafting trip offers almost guaranteed bonding. Working together with your family, friends, or teammates to navigate a raging river is a one-of-a-kind communal experience, all the more so when shared amid stunningly beautiful wildlands.
Stress Relief
Simply spending quality time in such natural environments—cruising past primal sculptures of rock and slopeside groves and forests, basking in sunshine amid the gleam and glitter of a surging river, spotting bighorn sheep and circling ravens—is good for the soul and the stress levels.
Really: There’s much scientific evidence suggesting the calming and healthful effects of being out in the natural world, embracing the concept of biophilia.
And the roll and rhythm of the river itself can work wonders on a worried or distracted mind. This is one of the ancient tempos of our planet, and nothing gets you closer to it than river-running.
Create Unforgettable Memories
We dare you to raft a whitewater river and not mint lifelong memories. Certainly, you don’t ever forget your first whitewater rafting trip: remembering forever everything from your fellow crew members to that first big rapid that put your heart in your throat—and left you laughing with exhilaration when you shot out on the other side.
And whitewater memories really run the gamut, including, often enough, delighting in the discovery that the family member who always seems super-coordinated in everyday life is the one struggling the most not to clack their paddle against others’ on the water…
Best Places to Go Whitewater Rafting in Colorado
Whatever your experience level, the Arkansas River—among the finest whitewater streams in the American West—has a rafting trip perfect for you. From the unparalleled family-friendly stretch of the Bighorn Sheep Canyon to the more adventurous thrills of the Royal Gorge, Echo Canyon River Expeditions will help you fall in love with whitewater rafting.
Book Your Colorado Bucket List Whitewater Rafting Adventure With Echo Canyon
To experience some of the very best outdoor adventures in Colorado, look no further than Echo Canyon River Expeditions and our varied collection of rafting trip, spanning the spectrum from beginner- to thrill seeker level. Book your whitewater rafting adventure with us today!
