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Arkansas River Royal Gorge - Pre-Trip
Information
Here's How to Find US!
Here's What You Need to Know
Please share with everyone in your group. If you have any
questions or need additional information call us at 1-800-462-7238.
DEPARTURE and RETURN TIMES
Please arrive 30-45
minutes before your trip departure time
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Departs |
Returns |
|
9:30 am |
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm |
WHERE TO MEET
Your trip departs from Pinnacle
Rock Recreation Site. Look for the recreation site sign located 20.6 miles
west of Cañon City on Hwy 50 at mile marker 258.1. (Do not meet at
Wilderness Aware Headquarters in Buena Vista!) See directions on page 3. Please
do not pay the parking fee, as it is already included in the price of your raft
trip!
View Larger
Map
We suggest you use the
Colorado State Road
Map or Arkansas River
Region Road Map and plan for delays. Visit our
Denver Region Map for
assistance on getting out of Denver
Directions to your meeting point for the Royal
Gorge
Your trip departs from the Pinnacle Rock Recreation
Site. Pinnacle Rock is a developed site in the Arkansas Headwaters
Recreation Area located at Highway 50 mile marker 258.1 (Mile markers are on
the left side of the highway as you travel west from Cañon City and on
your right if you are heading east from Salida). Pinnacle Rock is on the north
side of the highway 11.6 miles west of the junction of Highways 50 and 9 and 36
miles east of Salida. Parking, changing and restroom facilities are available
at the site. Please do not pay the parking fee, as it is already included in
the price of your trip. Please note that this trip does not meet at the
Wilderness Aware office in Buena Vista.
Getting Out of Denver:
From North Denver,
From the junction of I-25 and I-225 (the Denver Tech Center), go south on I-25
62 miles to the junction of I-25 and Highway 115 (just south of downtown
Colorado Springs). Exit I-25 at Exit #140 onto Highway 115 south towards
Cañon City. Go 32 miles and turn right onto Highway 50 at the junction
of Highways 115 and 50, following the signs to Cañon City and the Royal
Gorge. Pass through Cañon City and continue on to the Pinnacle Rock
Recreation Site located at mile marker 258.1 (31 miles beyond the junction of
Highways 115 and 50). Approximately 2-1/4 hours from the Denver Tech
Center.
From Colorado Springs: Exit I-25 at Exit #140 onto
Highway 115 (Nevada Avenue) south towards Cañon City. Go 32 miles and
turn right onto Highway 50 at the junction of Highways 115 and 50 following the
signs to Cañon City and the Royal Gorge. Pass through Cañon City
and continue on to the Pinnacle Rock Recreation Site located at mile marker
258.1 (31 miles beyond the junction of Highways 115 and 50). Approximately
1-1/2 hours.
From Salida and all points South: Take Highway 50
east for 36 miles to the Pinnacle Rock Recreation Site at mile marker 258.1.
Approximately 1 hour.
From Vail, I-70 and Summit County: Take I-70 to
Copper Mountain and take Exit #195 onto Highway 91 south. Just before entering
Leadville, Highway 91 merges with Highway 24. Continue through Leadville on
Highway 24 and travel another 35 miles south along the river to the town of
Buena Vista (about 1 hour south of I-70). Continue south two miles through the
town of Buena Vista to where Highway 24 and 285 meet. Continue south towards
Salida on Highway 285 for approximately 23 miles to the junction of Highways
285 and 50 (about 25 minutes). Turn left on Highway 50 and turn left again in
less than a mile staying on Highway 50 towards Cañon City. Continue on
Highway 50 to the Pinnacle Rock Recreation Site at mile marker 258.1.
Approximately 3 hours from Vail.
From Aspen: Take Highway 82 east over Independence
Pass to the junction of Highways 82 and 24. Turn right on Highway 24 and
continue south for about 20 miles to the town of Buena Vista (about 20
minutes). Continue south two miles through the town of Buena Vista to where
Highway 24 and 285 meet. Continue south towards Salida on Highway 285 for
approximately 23 miles to the junction of Highways 285 and 50 (about 25
minutes). Turn left onto Highway 50 and turn left again in less than a mile
staying on Highway 50 towards Cañon City. Continue on Highway 50 to the
Pinnacle Rock Recreation Site at mile marker 258.1. Approximately 3 hours from
Aspen.
From Breckenridge: Take Highway 9 south over Hoosier
Pass for 36 miles to the town of Fairplay and the junction of Highways 9 and
285. Turn right on Highway 285. In about 1 mile, turn left to get back onto
Highway 9. Go 17 miles to the junction of Highways 9 and 24 near Hartsel. Turn
left onto Highway 24 and go about 1 mile through town. On the other side of
Hartsel, turn right onto Highway 9 and continue 57 miles to the junction
Highways 9 and 50. Turn right on Highway 50 and go 11.6 miles to the Pinnacle
Rock Recreation Site located at mile marker 258.1. Approximately 2-3/4 hours
from Breckenridge.
WHAT TO BRING
| DRIVING
TIMES |
| Denver |
2¼ hrs |
| Colorado
Spgs. |
1½ hrs |
| Durango |
4½hrs |
| Grand Junct. |
4½ hrs |
| Vail |
3 hrs |
| Fort Collins |
3¼ hrs |
| Aspen |
3 hrs |
| Breckenridge |
2¾ hrs |
|
- Do Not Wear Cotton on the River (no jeans or sweats)
- Swimming Suit and/or Shorts
- Sunglasses with Securing Strap
- Fleece Jacket or Synthetic Insulating Layer
- Hat or Visor
- Waterproof Sunscreen
- Waterproof Camera
- Tennis Shoes or Sandals (no flip-flops or Crocs)
- Cash for Souvenirs and Tipping Your Guide
- Water Bottle (If you don't want to share)
- Change of Clothes and Towel (for after the trip)
WE PROVIDE
- Deli-Style Lunch on Full-Day Trips
- Post Trip Snack and Drink
- Professional Guide in Every Raft
- Rafting and Safety Equipment - Including Helmet
- Shuttle Back to Your Car at the End of the Trip
HIGH WATER / COOL WEATHER RENTALS
We recommend
warm clothing at higher water levels and the early season in May and June.
Booties are always a good idea, even in late summer. If you want rental
clothing for this trip, it must be rented advance!
- Wetsuits - $10/day
- Wetsuit Booties - $5/day
- Splash Jacket - $5/day
- Be Warm! Package $17/day (Includes wetsuit, booties and
splash jacket)
ORIENTATION: Prior to boarding
your raft, you will receive a complete safety orientation.
LIABILITY
RELEASE: Everyone will be required to sign a liability release form prior
to trip departure. Youths not riding with their parents will need to provide a
copy of our liability release signed by one or both parents. Please note that
unaccompanied youth must have a parent or guardian co-sign a liability release
ahead of time. These completed liabilities must be presented to us upon
check-in. Liabilities can be downloaded here.
TIPPING: Tipping is appropriate,
particularly if you have received exceptional customer service. If you believe
that a tip is appropriate we recommend an average tip of $10-$15/guest/day. We
always appreciate hearing from you so that we can recognize extraordinarily
customer service and we also appreciate hearing from you if you feel that there
are areas that we can improve upon. We strive to exceed your expectations!
FACILITIES: There are parking, changing and restroom facilities at
the Pinnacle Rock Recreation Site.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: We do not
provide alcohol on our trips, and alcohol is not permitted while on the river.
Guests who have been drinking prior to their trip will not go on the river and
will not receive a refund.
NON-SWIMMERS: Many of our participants
cannot swim. We provide U.S. Coast Guard approved personal floatation devices
designed to float you face-up in whitewater. Personal floatation devices are
required to be worn at all times.
DAY GEAR: Each raft is equipped
with a waterproof bag for any small items that you may need during the day.
DRINKING WATER: We carry drinking water on each raft. If you don't
wish to share with others, feel free to bring your own water bottle.
PHOTOS: Colorado Whitewater Photography takes photos of every raft.
8x10 prints and digital copies are normally available to view and purchase at
our office by the time your trip returns.
ALTITUDE: You will be
rafting at 6000 feet above sea level. Most people don't have serious problems
here, but shortness of breath and dehydration are possible. Come a day or two
early to acclimatize yourself if you can. We recommend that you drink plenty of
water during your stay.
PREGNANCY: We cannot take you rafting if you
are pregnant. This is for your own safety and that of your unborn child.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If you cancel more than 10 days prior to trip
departure we will refund all of your deposit less a $5/person cancellation fee.
If you cancel less than 10 days prior to trip departure there is no refund. We
reserve the right to reschedule, move or cancel any trip.
TRIP
CANCELLATION INSURANCE: Allows you to cancel all or part of your trip up to
24 hours prior to departure without penalty. The cost is $9.00/person/day and
$5/person/half-day. If you must cancel with less than 24 hours notice, but more
than 1 hour before departure, we can issue a gift certificate good for next
year's season. Insurance must be purchased for every member of the group at the
time of your deposit.
LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS
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HOTELS / MOTELS |
|
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
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St Cloud Hotel |
719-276-2000 |
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Cañon City |
719-275-2331 |
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Cañon Inn |
719-275-8676 |
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Salida |
719-539-2068 |
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