Want to go on a Colorado white water rafting trip but aren’t sure which river run suits you?  Learn a little more about rapid ratings:

Rapids are rated on a scale from Class I through Class VI.

• Class I: No substantial obstacles / waves.

• Class II: Entails regular waves, clear passages and relatively wide channels.

• Class III: Be aware of irregular wave patterns / narrow channels. Maneuvering may be required in order to avoid obstacles.

• Class IV: Intense, yet more predictable rapids requiring precise maneuvering. Entails some unavoidable waves and tight passages.

• Class V: Extensive and / or violent rapids involving large drops, unavoidable waves, and narrow channels. Precise maneuvering required.

• Class VI: Virtually non-navigable, or navigable only at favorable river water levels.

Still want more information to help you decide upon which trip is best for you? No problem- all of our Colorado rafting trips are rated from Beginner to Intermediate to Advanced and include some specific information on what to expect on each run. We want you to have the best  Arkansas River rafting experience, so let us help you find the best rafting run for your needs.

Colorado white water rafting is one of the most popular outdoor activities Colorado has to offer during the warmer parts of the year.  The Arkansas River provides numerous rafting excursions throughout the state and its diverse levels of rapids allow for a person to choose a trip that suits their ability best.  More relaxed trips, such as “The Bighorn Sheep Canyon,” provide an adventure fit for a family event, while runs such as “The Numbers,” are preferred by more advanced thrill seekers.  Colorado white water rafting is only seasonal and should be taken advantage of when warmer weathers permit.

The Bighorn Sheep Canyon is a popular Arkansas River run for numerous reasons.  This run entails beginner to intermediate rapids, allowing for a wild ride while still being family-friendly.  In addition, this excursion is known for the big horn sheep that can be spotted along the steep canyon walls.  Although the big horn sheep can blend in with the canyon, a professional tour guide will be able to help spot out these magnificent animals.  The wonderful mixture of fun rapids and wildlife make this trip one to remember.

For the thrill seeker looking for the ultimate Arkansas River rafting adventure, The Numbers is the place to be.  This run is known for steep drops, narrow passageways, and non-stop action.  Intense rapids provide the ultimate adventure fit for a person ready for extreme excitement.  Although this trip is not meant for everyone, for some it is the only way to go.  It is highly suggested that an experienced and professional tour guide be used when deciding to embark upon this adventurous Arkansas River rafting excursion.

Colorado white water rafting season does not technically begin on the same day each year, although there is a general time period.  The season usually begins around the month of May due to snow runoff increasing water levels.  Colorado’s snow melt begins to take affect around March and April, resulting in increasing water levels.  By early to mid May, Colorado white water rafting season has usually begun, allowing for people to enjoy rushing rapids, hot temperatures, and cool waters.  Unfortunately, Colorado rafting season cannot last year-round and people must take advantage of this sport while warm temperatures and high water levels permit.  As a general rule, the end of Colorado rafting season arrives around late August or early September.

It is important to know these seasonal restrictions to Colorado white water rafting in order to prepare for your trip in advance.  If not aware of these seasonal limitations, one may easily miss the window of opportunity to raft through Colorado’s beautiful rapids.  Regardless of which Arkansas River rafting trip a person decides to embark upon, it is wise to choose a guide that has the proper training and experience with these Colorado rapids.  The rafting company, American Adventure Expeditions,  is a tour operator with over 25 years of experience with Colorado’s rapids, making this company an optimal choice for these exciting excursions.  No matter which type of Colorado white water rafting run you seek, American Adventure Expeditions comes highly recommended.

Interested in going Colorado rafting but don’t know which trip to take?  Not to worry- check out the “Our Trips” page to see which excursion will suit you best! We have information on all Arkansas River rafting trips we offer so you can best decide what type of adventure to go on.  All of our trips have their own difficulty level and allow you to see different scenic views- so the only thing left up to you is to decide which trip is right for you!

If you have looked around and still aren’t sure, no worries! Just Request a Brochure and we will send you more information in the mail!  This wonderful, highly informative brochure is sure to make your decisions easier.  Colorado rafting is meant to be all about fun and excitement, so we want to make this process as easy as possible!

Colorado is one of the lucky states that allows outdoor activities to be experienced year-round.  In the warmer parts of the year, river rafting in Colorado is one if the most popular activities that this state has to offer.  It is also one of the few that is not only exciting, but also allows a person to cool down from hotter temperatures.  The Arkansas River runs through beautiful canyons, making these rafting adventures both exciting and breathtaking.  Although there are multiple runs to choose from when experiencing river rafting in Colorado, a handful of routes tend to be the most popular, and there are plenty of reasons why.

River rafting in Colorado is an excellent way to experience the outdoors while staying cool.  Summertime weather can get into the triple digits, and this type of activity allows a person to be thoroughly entertained, while the cooler water temperatures help to prevent overheating.  Although this is an added benefit, river rafting in Colorado has mostly gained popularity due to the excitement of rushing white waters and scenic views.

Multiple white water rafting runs in Colorado flow through the Arkansas River along the canyon-side and these excursions make for spectacular views.  One of the most popular areas for river rafting in Colorado is located in Canon City: The Royal Gorge.  The granite walls of the Royal Gorge  rise over 1,000 feet from the river.  If this was not enough, this excursion brings you directly underneath the largest suspension bridge in the world, allowing a person to experience both natural and man-made beauty.  This, combined with the exciting rapids, make for one of the most sought out Colorado river rafting experiences.

Brown’s Canyon is a white water adventure that is more than just another popular Colorado river rafting run- it is considered by many to be one of the best runs worldwide.  This is due to the perfect combination of exciting rapids with calm stretches, as well as providing wonderful scenic views.  This diversity attracts a wide range of people, from the less experienced rafter to the more advanced sportsman.  Brown’s Canyon makes for an unforgettable summertime outing.

Regardless of which summertime excursion a person decides to embark upon, it is recommended that a professional guide be used.  An experienced tour guide can greatly enhance your Colorado river rafting adventure by pointing out the more popular sightings, showing you how to more adequately paddle through white waters, and helping to increase safety measures.  This all results in an ideal Colorado river rafting experience.  American Adventure Expeditions is a trusted and experienced tour operator that provides trips along the Arkansas River.  When embarking on these types of summertime adventures, a tour guide such as American Adventure Expeditions is highly suggested.

Here in Colorado, the Arkansas River does pretty much the same thing every season. We can start rafting on the Arkansas River sometime around the end of April, the snow starts melting sometime in mid-May which begins our high water season! Our high water season typically lasts from the end of May through the first few weeks in June. Once our high water season is over, the water levels typically level out around late-June or early-July and then they taper off until we start our low water season around the middle of August. This has been Mother Nature’s cycle since the first commercial rafting trip in Colorado 30+years ago.

Although high water and flooding can cause other Colorado rivers to ‘close’, the Arkansas River will remain open during high water! This river is very unique as there are lots of different put-ins and take-outs that make it easy for us to find an appropriate river section for each guest. We can still provide rafters that sign up for a Beginner/Intermediate trip with just that – a suitable Class II and III whitewater experience – not a flat-water trip or a float trip but a great trip for adventurous first-timers looking for a true whitewater experience.

Occasionally during high water we will stop running some of our traditional Intermediate/Advanced sections of river. However, again because of the uniqueness of this river, we are very easily able to alter our put-in and take-out locations, and still provide the guest with the Intermediate/Advanced whitewater experience that they are looking for.

Of course as with any adventurous outdoor activity, there are inherent risks that are always present. At American Adventure Expeditions, we do our very best to minimize these risks as much as possible by getting rafters on the appropriate section of river for them, providing rafters with a high-quality certified rafting guide, as well as first-rate rafting equipment like coast-guide approved Type V lifejackets, and rafting helmets on each trip. Also, each rafter will go through a complete safety orientation before getting on the river. Although we can’t guarantee safety on any of our trips, safety is our #1 priority and it shows!

To help ensure your own well-being on a rafting adventure, it is very important to first pick the appropriate Colorado rafting trip for you and your group. Be realistic about everyone’s abilities and be sure to ask lots of questions of our staff prior to booking a trip. Anyone in the group that is seriously overweight or has any medical conditions should consult a physician before attempting a rafting trip. Once you arrive, pay very close attention to the safety orientation before your trip where your trip leader will review many important points like how to stay in the boat and what to do if you find yourself outside of the boat. Also, once on your trip it is essential that you listen to your guide’s paddle commands and verbal instructions.

What do you have planned for this weekend?  If it doesn’t involve this beautiful weather- then you are missing out!  Nothing is stopping you from making this weekend one to remember, and there is no better way to do it than experiencing Colorado’s exciting white water rapids.   River rafting in Colorado allows you to capture the outdoors at its best.  Whether you are looking for an extreme ride through narrow twists and turns, or are looking for a family- friendly weekend adventure, Arkansas River rafting is calling your name!

It is time to experience all that Colorado has to offer.  Come for a day or book an overnight trip- either way, it will be a most memorable adventure!  River rafting in Colorado can be the best way to see all that Colorado has to offer, and we want to make this experience everything you want it to be- and more!

Where was the last place that you took the family out for vacation?  Living in Colorado allows you to take a trip without breaking the bank, all while giving you and your family that vacation you need.  River rafting in Colorado is the optimal get away- if only for one day over the weekend.  Colorado is one of the best places to experience white water thrills, and the Arkansas River rafting does not disappoint!

Living in a state that has one of the best white water rafting trips around is an opportunity that should be taken advantage of and we can make this happen.  You don’t have to travel across the world and spend a week’s pay to have an adventure of a lifetime when Colorado river rafting is just around the corner.  Bring the family on a weekend vacation they will never forget and take advantage of all that Colorado has to offer!

Are you ready to get out of the house and into the water?  The weather is warming up and Arkansas River rafting is calling your name!  Find out which one of the Colorado white water rafting trips fits you best, book the day, and have the time of your life!

What type of adventure are you in to?  Would you prefer to experience Colorado’s beautiful scenery, wildlife, and exciting white waters?  Or are you an adrenaline junkie looking go the more advanced route?  Whatever you want to get out of an Arkansas River rafting adventure- you’ll find it here!  Look around, find the perfect trip, and go on the experience of a lifetime!

Life is too short to let your kids play video games all day- the weather is warm and outside is calling!  Take your entire family on an adventure that they will always remember- white water rafting in Colorado is calling your name!  We have trips that both parents and kids can enjoy to the max.  Come ride through 1,000 ft high canyons, see beauty at its best, and get soaked from head to toe!

Our Bighorn Sheep Canyon rafting trip and Brown’s Canyon rafting adventure are both family-friendly and provide ultimate excitement for everyone.  These beginner/intermediate excursions allow you to have the thrill of a lifetime through fun white water and wonderful surrounding views.  It’s time to get out of the house and into the water- plan a trip today!

The season for white water rafting has officially begun and AAE is the place to be! With the cold weather being replaced by sunny skies, now is your chance to book your Arkansas River rafting trip.  American Adventure has been your #1 guide for river rafting in Colorado for over 23 years, and our experienced tour guides are excited to take you on the adventure you have been looking for.

Rafting in Colorado can prove to offer many different types of rafting adventures.  For the more family- oriented escapade, American Adventure can take you down parts of the Arkansas River that will reveal the outstanding scenic views and wildlife, while providing a more relaxed itinerary.  For the thrill- seekers, we will take you to the areas that have that rush you are looking for.  Rafting in Colorado can be anything you make of it- the only difference is the amount of intensity you are looking for.

With more than 100 miles of white water rafting in Colorado available, it’s simply impossible to fit in everything you want to do.  Because of this, AAE offers overnight trips, where you can experience more than a days worth of excitement.  Check out the above link to see what to bring, and what to expect from this extended Colorado white water rafting adventure.

Now is the time to book your Arkansas River rafting trip, and we will make sure that no matter what type of ride you want, your experience will be unforgettable.