Combine two of the most all-out exciting activities you could possibly imagine by enjoying world-class whitewater rafting with Echo Canyon River Expeditions alongside a zipline experience amid spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery! When it comes to family-friendly adventure trips in Colorado, it really doesn’t get any better than this one-two punch of an unforgettable vacation.
Thanks to our partnership with Adventures Out West in Manitou Springs, families, and any other group can get the best of both worlds in south-central Colorado: riding the glorious whitewater of the Arkansas River and sailing through the air like a golden eagle, all in a single day!
Ziplining Experience
Ziplining—a thrilling recreational activity that’s blasted skyward in popularity in recent decades—involves flying along a cable-rigged aerial course via pulley harnesses. The Adventures Out West zipline course plays out some 90 feet above the walls of a scenic canyon and incorporates anywhere from five to seven cables (depending on time considerations) that reach up to 650 feet long.
A definite highlight is the celebrated “Leap of Faith,” which sees you running down and jumping off a cliff—a rather memorable experience, to put it mildly.
Before you start the course, you’ll be asked whether you want a “laidback” or “adrenaline” tour. The latter will definitely appeal to the thrill-seekers in your party!
Getting to the zipline course outside of Manitou Springs is its own blast, too, you do so by jeep along a four-wheel-drive track.
Rafting Adventure
Here at Echo Canyon River Expeditions in Cañon City, we’re proud to claim some of the nation’s most celebrated whitewater routes right in our backyard. Since 1978, we’ve been leading rafting trips on the fabled Arkansas River and other spectacular Colorado streams that appeal to all skill levels and interests: from wild rides on Class IV+ rapids to leisurely floats amid dazzling scenery.
Whether you’re dashing your way through foaming waves beneath the sheer walls of the world-famous Royal Gorge or spying on a glorious mountain ram in the aptly named Bighorn Sheep Canyon, rafting vacations with Echo Canyon are the stuff of lifelong memories.
Multiple Fun Activities in One Trip
Trying to decide between zipline and rafting near Colorado Springs? Well, here’s some good news: Thanks to our combination packages here at Echo Canyon River Expeditions, you don’t have to choose!
We team up with Adventures Out West to give you all-day outdoor adventures of the finest kind through this raft and zipline experience. You can combine a two-hour zipline adventure with a three-hour whitewater-rafting trip on the Arkansas River: either the family- and beginner-friendly Bighorn Sheep Canyon or the more adventurous wildwater of the Royal Gorge. You can choose to raft in the morning and zipline in the afternoon, or vice versa: It’s up to you!
Either way, this is a match made in heaven, if you ask us—a great idea for family camping trips, birthday parties, and all sorts of other occasions.
Everything You Need to Know About Family-Friendly Rafting and Ziplining: FAQ
Here’s a quick FAQ to cover some of the nuts and bolts of these family-friendly adventure trips in Colorado:
Here’s a quick FAQ to cover some of the nuts and bolts of these family-friendly adventure trips in Colorado:
There are indeed, for safety reasons. There’s a minimum age of six years old and a minimum weight of 40 pounds for the Adventures Out West zipline course. (The weigh-in process is discreet; only the staff member checking the scale can see the results.) Those weight and age criteria also qualify guests for rafting in Bighorn Sheep Canyon. Bear in mind that for the bigger and more technical water of the Royal Gorge, we recommend rafters be at least 13 years old. Note: Adventures Out West also imposes a maximum weight limit of 250 pounds, and does not allow pregnant women to do the course.
What Are the Safety Measures & Equipment for Ziplining?
From your helmet to the secure hold of the pulley harness, rest assured that the safety equipment at Adventures Out West is top-of-the-line. You’ll also be given the full rundown on the proper position for ziplining and other safety basics before starting the course.
What Level of Fitness is Required for Ziplining & Rafting?
People of a wide range of fitness levels can enjoy both ziplining and rafting. The Adventures Out West zipline course involves about a quarter-mile of walking; the two short grades should be no trouble for anybody who can walk up a few flights of stairs. You don’t need to be particularly in shape, meanwhile, to enjoy our rafting trip through Bighorn Sheep Canyon. The Royal Gorge run is a bit more strenuous, given the paddling involved.
What Do You Wear to Raft & Zipline?
For rafting, we recommend wearing quick-drying synthetic layers—avoid cotton! You can also don a rain jacket or other waterproof shell. We provide complimentary wetsuits upon request. Sturdy and secure footwear—from sneakers or water shoes to strap-in sandals—is required; we don’t allow Crocs or flip-flops. For the zipline tour, closed-toe shoes are required—no sandals of any kind. You can wear a camel-back hydration pack while ziplining.
Reserve Your Next Family Trip With Echo Canyon
For the best zipline and rafting near Colorado Springs, look no further than Echo Canyon River Expeditions and our aerial course partner Adventures Out West!
Join Echo Canyon for an epic combination of ziplining and rafting. Contact our adventure experts for more information on what promises to be your best family trip yet.
