The Arkansas River Valley is considered by many to be a ‘hidden gem’ of Colorado.  Not only does it boast the highest concentration of 14,000’ peaks in the lower 48 states (making it an excellent place for biking, hiking, and fishing) but it also contains some of the most ideal whitewater rafting in Colorado and the U.S.!  The best thing about Colorado rafting trips in the Arkansas River Valley is that they are for every age and ability level.  From our mild ‘Family Floats’ to our wild ‘Class V trips’ to our fun ‘Combo’ trips, there truly is something for everyone.  Read on for more information about our different Colorado rafting trips.

Colorado Family Float Trips
Family Float trips are perfect for families and first-timers that aren’t looking for much whitewater adventure.  These trips are appropriate for kids ages 5 and up and for rafters that are looking for a mild, scenic float.  Covering 4 miles of the world-famous Arkansas River, rafters definitely get to see those 14,000’ peaks by rafting right under the massive Mt. Princeton (which stands at a whopping 14,197’)!  There is also a great chance to see some of our native wildlife like deer, bighorn sheep, and Western Tanagers.  Enjoy the warm sunshine as you head down the cool river.

Colorado Whitewater Rafting Trips
For those looking for a little ‘step up’ from a family float, we offer a couple of Beginner/Intermediate whitewater rafting trips.  These Colorado rafting trips are perfect for adventurous families and first-timers looking to experience some of the thrills and excitement Mother Nature has to offer.  Both Brown’s Canyon rafting trips (depart from our Buena Vista outpost) and Bighorn Sheep Canyon rafting trips (depart from our Cañon City outpost) are great Class II/III sections of whitewater with the perfect combination of amazing scenery and whitewater adventure.

For those with previous rafting experience (or anyone that is in good physical condition and loves the water), try one of our Intermediate/Advanced Trips.  Rafting in the Numbers and Royal Gorge Rafting both offer thrilling and daring whitewater rapids with big drops and huge waves.  Although the scenery through both of these sections is absolutely stunning, you’ll probably be too busy paddling to notice!  There is no better way to bond with your adventurous family or friends than by tackling some Class V rapids together.

Colorado Zip Line Adventure Tours
Rafting isn’t the only high-adrenaline activity offered in the Arkansas River Valley.  Zip Line/Rafting combo trips are very popular for good reason…after a wet morning on the river, you’ll enjoy lunch at our riverside beer garden and then head over to the Zip Line Tour to ‘dry out’ on one of the 7 exciting zips through beautiful Lost Canyon in Salida, CO!  Choose your rafting trip based on your group member’s ages and ability levels.  As for the Zip Line tours, they are appropriate for kids ages 8 and up…fun for the whole group!

The Arkansas River Valley offers an abundance of adventure activities for the faint at heart and for white-knuckle thrill-seekers alike!  Colorado rafting trips for all ages & abilities AND Zip Line tours turn a boring summer break into a fun and exciting one where everyone gets to participate.  Don’t have an ordinary vacation or day off work, have an extraordinary one with one of our Colorado rafting trips!

One of the biggest misconceptions about rafting in Colorado is that it’s only for people looking for an extreme adventure. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Colorado has plenty of stretches of river that are perfect for the beginner, or those who are looking for a little bit of whitewater. Read on for a few tips for first-time whitewater rafters that will help make your trip more comfortable…and will also ensure that this will be your first whitewater rafting trip of many!

Wear the appropriate clothing
One of the best ways to ensure that your first rafting experience is as enjoyable as possible is to wear the appropriate clothing and gear. When rafting in Colorado, it’s always recommended to avoid cotton. When cotton gets wet it typically stays wet and results in a much chillier experience. Instead of cotton we recommend wearing quick drying materials such as Capilene™, Under Armor™, or neoprene. If you don’t have any of these, don’t worry…we have an abundant supply of wetsuits, river shoes, and splash jackets for rent. All rafting adventures include all of the safety equipment that you will need for your trip. We provide all of our guests with top-of-the-line gear including a Type V coast guard approved PFD (Personal Flotation Device) as well as a functional (and stylish!) helmet.

Pick the right trip
When choosing a Colorado whitewater rafting trip, be realistic about everyone’s abilities and be sure to ask questions of our staff prior to booking. All of our reservationists can help you determine the appropriate trip for you and your group if you are unsure. Anyone in your group that has any medical conditions, physical limitations, or is seriously overweight should consult a physician before attempting a raft trip. Taking the time to select the appropriate trip will make the experience that much more enjoyable for everyone.

Go with a professional
As a licensed outfitter in the State of Colorado, American Adventure Expeditions meets and exceeds the state’s requirements for professional outfitting. It is essential to raft with a licensed professional to ensure that you receive the proper pre-trip training and that you’re properly fitted with appropriate safety gear like your helmet and lifejacket.

Listen to your guide
Although this seems like a simple tip, it’s one of the most important! Before even getting near a boat, you will sit through a complete safety orientation about the river and what to expect on your trip with a rafting guide. You’ll learn how to stay in the boat, what to do if you fall out, how to help someone else back into the raft and many more pointers! It is imperative that you pay attention during this orientation so you’ll know what to expect and can act appropriately. Also, once you get to the water, your guide will teach you how to paddle as a group and will review his or her commands with you. These are the instructions you will receive while navigating the rapids together so it’s very important to listen carefully and do everything they say anytime you’re on their boat.

Each year, the Arkansas River hosts thousands of guests on their very first whitewater experience. Typically, guests that do some research before their trip have the best time. If you pick the right trip offered by a professional outfitter, wear appropriate clothing, and listen to your guide, you’re setting yourself up for an amazing adventure! Remember, Colorado rafting trips are not just for thrill-seekers. Just come prepared and you’ll have the time of your lifejackets!

The Arkansas River boasts some of the most incredible scenery, wildlife, and rapids in the country, but what really makes a Colorado river rafting trip so special is the river guide! Rafting in Colorado is great fun, but unless you’re a trained professional, it’s not something to do on your own. Since the rapids are technical and water levels change almost every day, it is essential to go rafting with a certified river guide. Your river guide should be qualified, experienced, knowledgeable, and, of course, fun!

Qualifications
To become a certified whitewater rafting guide in the state of Colorado, you must complete at least 50 hours of on-the-water training and hold a valid certificate in CPR and First Aid. At American Adventure Expeditions, we go above and beyond the ‘standards’ as our Guide Training Program includes over 100 hours of on-the-water training. Most of our guides also greatly exceed the state’s minimum qualifications by holding additional medical certifications like Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder. Many hold certifications in advanced river rescue techniques, and we even have Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics on our river staff.

Experience
Although qualifications are essential, it’s also very important that rafting guides have lots of on-the-water experience. All guides keep a river log which documents the number of miles they have guided throughout their career. Once a guide becomes a certified rafting guide in the state of Colorado, (s)he can guide Class II and III rafting trips like Brown’s Canyon and Bighorn Sheep Canyon. Guides must log a certain number of miles as a Class II and III whitewater guide in order to gain more experience to become a guide for the more advanced sections of the Arkansas River like The Numbers and The Royal Gorge.

Knowledge
More on-the-water experience typically means more on-the-water knowledge. A knowledgeable rafting guide will not just lead and navigate their crew through the rapids. A knowledgeable guide will inform their guests about the geological features of an area…the history, how the river has changed over the years, etc. They’ll know the ‘secret spots’ for the best wildlife viewing. Also, they’ll be able to pick out the best lunch spots (where they’ll momentarily turn into chefs!) so you can enjoy a delicious meal under the sun and watch the other boats go by!

Personality
The last but also imperative aspect of a great river guide is a fun personality! At the very minimum, you’ll be spending a few hours with your guide leaving lots of time for interaction. Every great river guide has a bunch of hilarious rafting stories and a good arsenal of jokes in their ‘bag of tricks’. The best rafting guides will have you and your family or friends smiling and laughing all the way down the river!