When it comes to shared family travel experiences, it’s hard to beat running a river together. A savory blend of excitement and relaxation, playing out amid lovely—often downright sublime—scenery, whitewater rafting has all-ages appeal and almost always forges lifelong memories.
At Echo Canyon River Expeditions here in Cañon City, Colorado, we’ve been guiding families (and other guests) down some of the finest flows in the American West since the late 1970s. Looking to narrow down some options for a river-running getaway? In the following post, we’ll review some of the best family vacation spots for rafting in the country—and dig deeper into why Colorado is very much one of them!
Colorado: The Ultimate Rafting Destination
We won’t shy away from our clear bias toward glorious Colorado, given Echo Canyon River Expeditions has called the heart of the state home for so many decades. But Colorado is indeed by any objective measure one of the best destinations for family rafting trips (and a whole host of other outdoor activities) in the U.S., if not the world.
Here, after all, the Rocky Mountains reach their greatest elevation on the continent. Dozens of skyscraping “Fourteeners” and vast above-timberline alpine expanses in Colorado’s Southern Rockies build a mighty winter snowpack that helps muscle some truly spectacular whitewater rivers. Mountain snowmelt feeds drainages that pass through a rich variety of landscapes: from the peak-fortressed gorges of the headwaters down through forested foothill canyons, Colorado Plateau mesa country, and out upon the wide-open shortgrass (ancient buffalo range) of the Great Plains.
From Glenwood Canyon along the Colorado River to the Yampa, the Poudre, the Gunnison—and our very “own” Arkansas, one of the finest whitewater streams in America and host to some of the most popular Colorado rafting trips—there are so many options here for world-class river-running adventures. And the variety of routes and reaches—from ferocious Class V canyons to serene riffled flatwater—means endless options when it comes to rafting experiences for families. Choose a gentle float if you’ve got youngins (or maybe grandparents) along, or look into wilder rapids if, say, your teens boast some river-running already on their resumés.
Another reason why you might want to choose Colorado for a rafting vacation? Outdoor recreation is a very big deal for the Centennial State’s economy and a big-time draw for residents and visitors alike, which translates to a superabundance of topnotch outfitters, rental shops, and well-developed recreation areas that set you up easily for rewarding Colorado family getaways.
Comparing Rafting Destinations: Other Prime Locations for Family Rafting Trips
Now, we certainly don’t want to dismiss all the other fabulous corners of the country encompassing great beginner rafting locations (and supreme whitewater for more experienced family groups). Here’s a quick run-through of some—just some—of the best family vacation spots for rafting in the U.S.
West Virginia
Too many folks fall under the mistaken impression that all the great rafting rivers in the U.S. are out West. Well, far from it: The East boasts its own high-quality lineup of whitewater flumes, most notably those coursing through the steep, rough, and well-watered basins of the Appalachians. West Virginia’s arguably the single greatest rafting hotspot in the region, host to such stellar rivers as the New, the Gauley, the Youghiogheny, and the Cheat.
California
From the Sierra Nevada to the Klamath Mountains and North Coast Ranges, California’s spectacular and mountainous sweep includes some of the country’s best rafting routes. Prime examples include the Stanislaus, the North and (especially) South forks of the American River, the Tuolumne, the Eel, the Lower Klamath, and the Merced, among others.
Oregon
From the internationally celebrated Rogue cutting through the Klamaths to the Clackamas in the Western Cascades, the Deschutes running through the High Lava Plains and Deschutes Plateau, and the long, undammed John Day River dropping out of the Blues, the Beaver State delivers some of the finest and most varied river trips anywhere.
Idaho
Hells Canyon of the Snake River forms part of the border of Oregon and Idaho and makes one of North America’s most legendary rafting runs—and it’s only one of numerous world-class whitewater rivers in the latter, wilderness-rich state. The Middle Fork of the Salmon is probably the most legendary, but the main Salmon’s also terrific, as is the farflung Selway.
What to Consider When Choosing a Rafting Location
Many factors go into selecting the best family rafting getaway. There are budgetary considerations, it goes without saying: How far do you want to travel, how competitive are slots on outfitter trips, how rustic (or not) are you OK with in terms of accommodations?
Of course, you need to take into account the relative rafting experience and physical condition/abilities of everyone in the family when choosing what river or section you want to tackle. Again, there are options for almost anybody when it comes to river-running, with many easy float trips as well as low-grade whitewater reaches perfectly accommodating to complete beginners.
You’ll also want to think about how remote you’re willing to go, and how much time you can spare: both for the trip in general and for the actual on-the-water experience. Here at Echo Canyon, for instance, we offer half-day and full-day outings as well as multi-day rafting trips.
Often, our guests want to weave in other experiences into their rafting vacations. What other activities should families consider when choosing a rafting destination? Areas such as the Royal Gorge Region, our personal playground here at Echo Canyon, serve up plenty of dry-land recreation as well, including rock-climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and ziplining.
Colorado’s Most Desired Family Vacation Rafting
The rafting trips we offer here at Echo Canyon River Expeditions, including through the big water of the Royal Gorge as well as the more beginner-friendly Bighorn Sheep Canyon, rank among the best in the nation. And from ziplining to sightseeing train rides, we can also help you enhance your river-running with other fun activities in Colorado’s amazing Royal Gorge Region.
Choosing the right rafting spot for your family vacation can seem a bit overwhelming, but with Echo Canyon, you’re in good hands. We promise an exciting, safe, and unforgettable adventure that your family will talk about for years to come. Join our friendly expert guides on the trip of a lifetime. Reach out to our team today for any questions you may have.
