9 Canon City Rafting Tours Worth Flying For

1.Royal Gorge Half Day Rafting in Cañon City (Free Wetsuit Use)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 464 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $162Our pick

Spend about three hours rafting the Arkansas River through Royal Gorge country near Cañon City. A professional guide steers you through Class III to IV rapids while you take in towering canyon walls. Wetsuits, splash jackets, river shoes, transport, and safety gear are included.

“Ramsey was a great guide.. for first time it was a great adventure! Very knowledgeable of area history. A wonderful experience for our bucket list.”

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2.Royal Gorge Half-Day Rafting Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 328 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $132

Meet Lost Paddle Rafting in Cañon City, gear up, and spend about three hours on the Arkansas River beneath Royal Gorge Bridge. Guides such as Johnny, Tyler, Will, Chip, and Chris handle safety and paddling instruction while you tackle rapids, watch for wildlife, and may jump from a riverside rock.

“Best. Rafting trip. Ever! I've been whitewater rafting on the Arkansas easily half a dozen times., but I went into this trip thinking it might be my last. After this trip, I'm already planning another within the next few weeks. Lost Paddle is a great company! I had THE best time on the river on Friday, May 16. Great time of year to go down the river! The snowmelt raised the water level, the rapids were a blast, the weather was perfect, our guide was amazing, and the half day trip was PERFECT! I'll be joining the Lost Paddle group again SOON for another trip!”

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3.Bighorn Sheep Canyon Half-Day Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 317 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $116

Spend about three hours rafting 10 miles through Bighorn Sheep Canyon with guides such as Gigi, Taylor, Sierra, or Hunter. Expect Class II rapids, calm pools for swimming, high desert scenery, and a welcoming first-time experience for adults and children age six and up.

“It was our first time rafting we were 13 in group youngest 17 and oldest 78. It was so much fun and the guide Taylor was excellent he made everyone felt comfortable . I must say lost paddle is the very reliable small family company with best service. Will definately recommend my friends and family and will definitely come back. Lost paddle rafting was the highlighted activity and fun of our trip. Such a memorable moment. Thank you Taylor.... 😊”

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4.Royal Gorge Rafting Half Day Tour (FREE wetsuit use!) – Class IV Extreme fun!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 296 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

You’ll spend about three hours rafting the Arkansas River through Royal Gorge, with Class III and IV rapids, free wetsuit and river gear, transport, a professional guide, kayak support, and a private photographer. Guides such as Zulu and Joaquin are noted for calm, safety-focused leadership.

“Our guide was amazing. His name was Zulu. He was fun and new all the history of the gorge. This was my second time. We will be back next year and I want Zulu to be our guide again. John was our photographer And he got some amazing pictures for us. I bought the package.”

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5.Family Friendly Rafting near Colorado Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 190 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $149

Meet Arkansas River Tours in Cañon City for a guided 2 to 2.5-hour Arkansas River run. You will receive a helmet, life vest, splash jacket, and wetsuit if needed, then ride moderate rapids with a guide such as Austin. No rafting experience is required.

“The guide was great. The water awesome. It was 1st class all the way, from our stepping into the office and being greeted like we were friends, to the river team, and all. Thanks a ton (of fun).”

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6.Professionally Guided High Adventure Rafting Trip – Royal Gorge

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 140 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $149

Paddle about 10 miles through Colorado’s Royal Gorge on a 3 to 4 hour guided rafting trip. You’ll get a safety briefing, wetsuit, helmet, and splash jacket, then work with your boat crew through demanding rapids. Guides such as Sam, Ethan, Kyle, and Kristina have earned strong praise for safety and spirit.

“Our guide, Ethan Marsh was an amazing guide who taught us how to work together to safely get through the level 3-4 rapids. No one bounced out and yet we enjoyed exciting rapids. Ethan was cheerful and provided history about the river and its surrounding areas along the way. The route included more rapids than many of the area rafting companies. We would return.”

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7.Half Day Bighorn Sheep Canyon Rafting Adventure Cañon City CO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 104 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $98Best value

Join Journey Quest on a roughly three-hour Arkansas River trip through Bighorn Sheep Canyon. Guides such as Steve, Elijah, Mark, and Ella teach first-timers to handle class II and III rapids, with swimming at Double-Dip and possible bighorn sheep sightings.

“Great staff, very informative & beautiful experience. We want to come back in July for an in season experience.”

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8.Royal Gorge Full-Day Rafting Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $199

Meet Lost Paddle Rafting in Cañon City for a six-hour Arkansas River trip. Your guide, possibly Tyler or another member of the small team, leads you through class II and III water in Bighorn Sheep Canyon before the class IV+ Royal Gorge. Lunch is included, but bring strapped water shoes and expect to get wet.

“The entire staff with lost paddle rafting, was amazing. Our guide, Tyler, was so great. The whole team gave us an amazing adventure , I would do it again in a heartbeat. I recommend anybody use this company, over the big companies. They gave you the small family touch.”

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9.Half-Day Royal Gorge Whitewater Rafting Adventure Cañon City CO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $119

Raft the Arkansas River near Cañon City with Journey Quest guide Mark and a trained crew. This three-hour trip tackles Class III, IV, and V rapids such as Sunshine Falls and Sledgehammer. Families are welcome, but you need strong fitness, strong swimming skills, and previous Class III rafting experience.

“Mark, our tour guide/raft captain was the absolute best. Our safety was his #1 concern. He was fun and personable. One of the highlights of our vacation.”

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