Royal Gorge Rafting – Epic Rapids, Cliff Jumping & 1000ft Canyon!
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Royal Gorge whitewater rafting is the ultimate whitewater rafting adventure trip in Colorado. ART has over 50 years of experience and will guide through through huge waves, steep technical drops, and almost continuous whitewater rapids through a narrow gorge. The Royal Gorge may demand so much attention you don't even notice the world famous Royal Gorge Bridge 1053 feet above the river. This exhilarating trip is recommended for rafters or adventurers in good physical shape who are ready for aggressive paddling. Our Royal Gorge whitewater rafting trips are our most popular advanced trips! If you are seeking lots of excitement, this trip is for you and your group. Lunch will be served at a stop on the river.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Recommended dress code is no cotton. Anything synthetic such as swimwear, workout gear, and sandals/sneakers with a heel. No flip flops for crocks Please
What To Expect
Arkansas River Tours
You will arrive are out Canon City location, check in with our friendly reservation staff, meet your guide for the day, be outfitted with necessary rafting gear, go through an in depth safety orientation and then hop on a van or bus for a short 5-10 min ride to the river put in
Arkansas River
Once you arrived to the river your guide will teach you how to paddle, safely sit in the raft and then you will push off for an adventure of a lifetime. You will travel roughly 10 miles down the river through the deep and impressive Royal Gorge. Working as a team you will navigate challenging whitewater, take in the scenic views and maybe spot some Bighorn Sheep venturing down to the river for a drink.
Options
Royal Gorge
Royal Gorge Rafting Tour: Royal Gorge whitewater rafting is the half-day ultimate rafting adventure trip in Colorado. This exhilarating trip is recommended for rafters or adventurers in good physical shape.
What‘s Included
Professional guide
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
Life Jacket, helmet, wetsuit and splash jacket
Food and drinks
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Guide Gratuity
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
141 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Royal Gorge Rafting
Peggy L,Jul 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We all had a blast with Zach (our guide). Some of the people in our group were not coordinated but Zach has great attitude and we all felt comfortable.
Safe, fun and relaxing whitewater experience with great guides.
amitj298,Jul 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Eron was awesome guide to our boat. We had an awesome time with the kids and adults. Highly recommend for an outdoor adventure for a few hours.
Fun on the Wild Water
carriesE7979FA,Jul 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great experience! Our guide was helpful! We took a vehicle to the put in spot and took a vehicle back. We felt very safe all the time.
Great rafting day
nicolehL5828JC,Jul 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our 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.
Great tour, disorganized logistics
melanieer2024,Aug 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The rafting itself was excellent and our guide was great. The company and everything leading up to it was a slightly disorganized mess. We booked a tour months out and got an email a week before saying we might need to reschedule because there weren’t enough people on our tour. They told us they would call us the day before to let us know for sure. At 4pm the day before our tour I still hadn’t heard from them so I called and was told we did in fact need to move to the much earlier time the next day… not sure when they were planning to tell us that if I hadn’t called? Would we just have showed up at our scheduled time and be turned away? We arrived for the earlier time and the checkin process was disorganized… no one knew what tour they were supposed to be on or which guide they were supposed to be with. While the lady was giving us the very important safety information about what to do in the event we fell out and how to ensure we didn’t get injured… 2 other employees were nearby talking so loudly that we couldn’t hear the *very important* safety information. When we got on the bus, the employees were discussing their plans for the party they were having that night and how much alcohol they had for it… it was all very off putting. Thankfully once we got on the water, the tour itself was great… but the logistics and experience with the staff left a lot to be desired. I would choose a different rafting company in the future. Also, if you want the pictures they take… be prepared to cough up any additional $60… I was floored by the price for photos… I don’t think think even Disneyland charges that.
Great Afternoon Thrills!
146jenu,Jul 19, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic and adventurous afternoon! The outfitters are well organized and our Guide, Sam, was awesome! She did a great job of making sure everyone on the boat was comfortable and confident enough to have a great time!
Best day ever!
heathergD5077PA,Jul 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kyle and Jesus made our trip an unforgettable experience. I was the adult chaperone with 9 teens and they made us all feel safe while giving us an exhilarating experience on the rapids. I would definitely request these two guides again!
Kyle is a Dawg.
E4443MWnathans,Jun 13, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Staff is super friendly and helpful, especially that beast Kyle. They did a great job on the tour and we plan to come back soon.
Great Experience!
kimdB8496TA,Aug 21, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time. Very organized and professional. Raft guide (Ron John) was great! Very friendly and experienced.
Bucket list thing!!!!!!!
kathyaL495AC,Jul 25, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the one in Cotopaxi but I can't get it to come up on here. It's not far and it's the same outfitter. This is an amazing experience! If you like water coasters, it's a great deal of fun! ART's guides are very well trained and ours were Cat and Christina, who are both amazing and very obviously LOVE their jobs! We did the Brown's Canyon tour and the Royal Gorge the next day. The tent and sleeping bag on the river were surprisingly comfortable and I love sleeping to the natural white noise of the Arkansas flowing! Cat and Christina will keep you safe, just follow their instructions, they know the river like the back of their hands! We will probably request them next time if they're still there. Everyone who likes water and nature should put this on their bucket list! It is reasonably priced too, about 1195 for 2 day rafting and camping, with several meals and a great photo package! Thanks again, C-Cat and Christina!!!
Related Experiences
Operated by Arkansas River Tours