Choosing adventure as the core focus of a family getaway can elevate your vacation from garden variety to next level. And by “adventure,” we don’t simply mean the physical variety—though our bread-and-butter here at Echo Canyon River Expeditions—but also in terms of brand-new experiences and expansions of one’s horizon.
The rafting trips we run at Echo Canyon most definitely deliver ready-made adventure vacations for the whole family, with packages to suit every skill level and personal preference. In this guide, we’ll help you plan unforgettable family adventures encompassing a whole range of different experiences and vibes!
Crafting the Perfect Family Adventure Vacation
An adventurous M.O. can set you up marvelously for unique family experiences, especially with that broad-focus sort of approach to the concept. Stepping outside of comfort zones, trying new activities, and pursuing favorite indoor or outdoor family outings in unique or exciting locations are effective strategies to enhance the chances of a truly memorable getaway together.
What are some tips for planning such a family vacation? Well, you’ll of course want to consider not only everybody in the crew’s physical abilities and experience levels but also their personal interests. Ideally, you come up with an itinerary entirely composed of activities all family members want to do. Often enough, though, it’s going to be a case of combining experiences that respectively appeal to one or another person—hopefully leaving everyone happy at the trip’s conclusion.
Unforgettable Adventure Vacations for the Family
What are the best adventure vacation activities for the whole family, and how do you choose the best location for your trip?
Well, needless to say, there’s no one answer, but here are some ideas that’ll hopefully get the inspirational juices flowing.
Family Rafting Adventures
Whitewater rafting is an unparalleled combination of high adventure, nature immersion, and group bonding: absolutely ideal for a family trip! At Echo Canyon River Expeditions, we lead rafting excursions on some of the very best whitewater in the nation, anchored by the spectacular reaches of the Arkansas River as it burrows through and out of the Southern Rocky Mountains—the big finish being the monumental Royal Gorge.
Camping Under the Stars
Camping (and glamping) gives you and the crew the opportunity to get deeper in touch with more undeveloped landscapes—and with the nightscape, which for many city-dwellers and suburbanites is an increasingly unfamiliar environment, given all the light pollution the majority of Americans (and many people around the world) spend their time within.
At Echo Canyon, we partner with Royal Gorge Cabins for accommodations close to our main rafting routes. In addition to the luxury cabins themselves, you’ve also got the option of decked-out glamping tents: serving up camping-style pleasures with a bit more in the way of creature comforts.
National Park Explorations
They don’t call them “America’s best idea” for nothing! From Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Everglades to Colorado’s own Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Great Sand Dunes, U.S. national parks constitute some of the most remarkable, scenic, and ecologically significant terrain in the world—and make the perfect foundation for kid-friendly trips and nature-based family outings with scenic camping that’ll yield a lasting impact.
Cultural Immersion & Adventure
From genuine globe-hopping to road trips through unfamiliar new corners of your own country, there’s nothing like experiencing new cultures firsthand to broaden perspectives, increase awareness, and fuel curiosity: powerful building blocks of fun family excursions, to say the least.
Biking Tours
Get some wholesome fresh air and exercise with adventure vacations for the whole family driven by pedal power! By the way, the Royal Gorge Region—our backyard here at Echo Canyon River Expeditions—is one of the best places in Colorado for mountain biking…
Tips for Planning Rafting Adventure Vacations for the Whole Family
If you’re considering a rafting getaway with the family—and we certainly hope you are!—there are a few key things to keep in mind. Factor in not only the actual river-running experience and physical capabilities (including swimming ability) of each member of your family, but also confidence levels. If you have younger children or people in your group who have never been rafting, it’s a good idea to start with a low-intensity experience on the water. Consider options like our Gentle Scenic Float, or for a more adventurous experience that is still beginner-friendly, our Bighorn Sheep Canyon trip. Older kids and families with more rafting trips under their belt, might consider the wildwater thrills of our Royal Gorge run.
When it comes to group travel planning, it’s also not a bad idea to consider what add-on activities might be available to accentuate the river-running fun. From ziplining to railcar sightseeing, we here at Echo Canyon offer some excellent combination Colorado adventure packages that showcase the very best of the Royal Gorge Region.
Of course, when it comes to family rafting getaways, you need to choose the right outfitter. At Echo Canyon, we’ve been running river trips on top-class Colorado whitewater since 1978, and employ the most rigorously trained rafting guides in the state. You can trust our team to always put safety first!
Plan a Rafting Vacation With Echo Canyon
Make it a family getaway to remember with Echo Canyon River Expeditions and the spectacular whitewater of Colorado’s Arkansas River!
With stunning views, fun activities for all ages, and cozy accommodations created with your comfort in mind, everyone is sure to find something they love. Our friendly rafting specialists are here to help you plan your dream family getaway – contact us today.
