White water rafting near

Colorado Springs

yellowgraphic

Rafting Trip Search:

Trip

State

Rivers

Trip Length

Difficulty Level

colorado springs overview

Colorado Springs, Colorado is a unique city with a “small town” feel – the combination makes for the perfect Colorado rafting summer vacation destination. Colorado Springs is a wonderful place to experience a wide variety of outdoor activities, while still enjoying the comforts and conveniences of traveling to the city. Many adventures are just a short trip away – including the Arkansas River, America’s best white water rafting! Wilderness Aware Rafting offers many different fun-filled and exciting trips on the Arkansas River.

Visitors to Colorado Springs, Colorado return to the area every summer to take advantage of the variety of activities the area offers. With the towering heights of the Rocky Mountains just outside the city, white water rafting with Wilderness Aware is only one of the many activities you can experience. Most guests to Colorado Springs take pleasure in many different outdoor adventures, with white water rafting being the highlight of their vacation!

 

Nearby Rivers

  • Arkansas River – the best white water in the U.S. near Buena Vista – 93 miles away (map)
  • Gunnison River – raft the wild water of Gunnison Gorge near Hotchkiss – 250 miles away (map)
  • Colorado River – mild family float trips along the Upper Colorado near Kremmling – 170 miles away (map)
  • North Platte River – remote and scenic wilderness trips in May and June near Cowdrey – 217 miles away (map)
  • Dolores River – explore western Colorado high desert scenery in May and June near Gateway and Cortez – 355 miles away (map)
  • Salt River – exciting springtime rafting trips through Salt River Canyon in Arizona near Phoenix and Tucson – 729 miles away (map)

Recommended Rafting Trips near Colorado Springs:

Browns Canyon Full-Day Trip

When you book a Browns Canyon rafting trip you’ll experience Colorado’s most popular white water rafting trip! Raft the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, Colorado near Denver and Colorado Springs. Rafters of all skill levels and kids ages 7+ are welcome on this trip that runs between May 1st and Labor Day.

Adult price : $134

LEARN MORE

Browns Canyon Half-Day Trip

Join us for a half day of action-packed white water on the Arkansas River. Departing from Buena Vista, Colorado this adventure is close to Denver, Colorado Springs and major resorts. Rafters of all skill levels and kids ages 7+ are welcome on this trip that runs between May 1st and Labor Day.

Adult price : $84

LEARN MORE

Lower Browns Canyon Half Day Trip

Enjoy a gentle stretch of the Arkansas River on this mild and mellow half day adventure. This family-friendly trip departs from Buena Vista, Colorado – close to Denver and Colorado Springs. Young kids ages 4+ and rafters of all skill levels love this trip that runs between May 1st and Labor Day. Beautiful scenery and exceptional guides make this trip a guest favorite!

Adult price : $89

LEARN MORE

Inn to Inn 2, 3 or 4 Day Trip

Experience fantastic rafting and comfort all in one great Arkansas River trip. Customize white water rafting sections, comfortable lodging at bed and breakfasts and delicious dining choices at local restaurants. Departing from Buena Vista, Colorado – near Denver and Colorado Springs – raft anytime between May 15 and Labor Day. Suitable for all skill levels and kids ages 10+.

Adult price : $370/day

LEARN MORE

Arkansas River 2 Day Trip

Enjoy two full days of fantastic class III-IV white water rafting and isolated riverside camping within Browns Canyon National Monument on this popular Arkansas River trip. Suitable for all skill levels and kids ages 8+, this multi-day adventure departs from Buena Vista, Colorado, near Denver, Colorado Springs and major resorts. Trips are available from May 1st to Aug 25.

Adult price : $489

LEARN MORE

Arkansas River 3 Day Trip

Get away from the day-to-day on this, action-packed Arkansas River adventure. Enjoy fantastic whitewater during the day, including rafting Browns Canyon National Monument, and secluded camping at night. This trip departs from Buena Vista, Colorado – near Denver and Colorado Springs, and is suitable for all skill levels and kids ages 8+. Trips run from May 15 - Aug 15.

Adult price : $734

LEARN MORE

Arkansas River 5 Day Trip

Raft with us on nearly every section we offer, including Browns Canyon National Monument, on the Arkansas River – all in one unforgettable 5 Day trip! With departures between May 15 and Aug 15, rafters of all skill levels and kids ages 8+ are welcome on this adventure. Meet and depart in Buena Vista, Colorado – near Denver and Colorado Springs.

Adult price : $1129

LEARN MORE

about

Abundant with History

Many areas in Colorado were first inhabited by native tribes, and Colorado Springs is no exception. The Ute, Cheyenne and Arapahoe people gathered in the region, taking advantage of the natural and abundant springs that run from the mountains. Though there were many native people, as well as Spanish soldiers that came through the area, it was Zebulon Pike who, in 1806, was credited for discovering Colorado Springs most impressive landmark – the 14,115 foot Pikes Peak. Many trappers, explorers and traders traveled through the area soon after, though no established settlement was set up until the great Pikes Peak Gold Rush in 1859. At this time, Colorado City (now Old Colorado City) cropped up and over 100,000 flocked to the area.

Colorado City remained the region’s primary settlement until 1871, when General William Palmer established Colorado Springs, just the east of Colorado City. His vision of a grand Victorian resort town with broad streets, parks, churches and schools had become a reality. Within a few years he had built the grand Antlers Hotel in downtown Colorado Springs. With the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad running right alongside, the town became a thriving tourist destination, as well as an attraction to those in poor health or stricken with tuberculosis. It was said that the area’s sunny, dry climate and natural spring waters had healing powers.

The gold rush hit hard, and many millionaires called Colorado Springs home. In 1893, Katharine Lee Bates traveled to the top of Pikes Peak and was so inspired by the experience that she wrote the now very famous song “America the Beautiful”. Colorado Springs continued to thrive thereafter – seeing the establishment of the military base Camp Carson (now Fort Carson) in 1940, the United States Air Force Academy in 1954, and in 1963 NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) was built underground at the base of Cheyenne Mountain.

Embedded with a rich and colorful history, Colorado Springs is the perfect destination for those looking for the quintessential Colorado experience.

The Perfect Blend of City Life and Mountain Adventure

Colorado Springs is the perfect destination for your next Colorado vacation. With such a wide variety of outdoor activities, you’re guaranteed to never be bored.

Don’t forget to visit many other vacation towns and destinations on your Colorado Springs, CO vacation, including Denver, BreckenridgeKeystoneSalidaBuena Vista, Aspen, Vail, Canon City and Leadville.

colorado springs rafting videos

stuff we are proud of

Start typing and press Enter to search