Bighorn Sheep Canyon
Royal Gorge
Overnighters
Our Wildest Adventure
Rafting Clinic
Adventure Photos
Reservations
Organize A Group
FAQ's
FAQS
• What should we wear?
• Which trip should we take?
• When is the best time of year to go rafting?
• I've never been rafting before; is it safe?
• I have younger children; will they be able to join us?
• Do I need to make advance reservations?
• How is the Arkansas River regulated?
• If we enjoyed the trip, may we tip our guide?
• Can we request a specific guide?
• What else is there to do in the area?
What should we wear?
We recommend that you wear clothes that dry quickly; fleece, polypro, or wool may be better for cooler weather. Shorts are ok, and tennis shoes or even river sandals will be fine for the trip. We have wet suits, polypro, and splash jackets for rent, but you should bring a change of clothes and perhaps a sweater or jacket. And as with any Colorado expedition, don’t forget sunglasses (with a good strap), sunscreen, and insect repellant!
Which trip should we take?
If you are in a hurry and want to get on and off the river first thing in the morning, then the 1/4 day Texas Creek Sampler may suit your needs. This trip starts from our site and continues five miles down river. There are four rapids on this section that will provide a taste of the Arkansas River at an affordable price.
The nine mile, 1/2 day trip is the standard tour through Bighorn Sheep Canyon. We meet at Texas Creek and drive five miles downstream to the put-in. With over five rapids, this section creates a great family trip. We usually spend between 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours on the river, depending on the water levels.
The 3/4 day Big Horn Sheep Canyon trip combines the best of both tours. This popular trip launches from our site in the morning and continues for 14 miles. Because of the distance, most outfitters only offer this as a full day trip. How-ever, we decided to offer it in a half-day format. We put on the river first thing in the morning, and we usually get back to Texas Creek by 12:30 noon. This trip is wonderful for people wanting to spend more time on the river and still be back by lunch.
Our full day trip through Bighorn Sheep Canyon moves at a more relaxed pace. We meet a little later in the morning and spend the whole day on the river. In addition to the river-side lunch that is provided, we typically have the time to stop and look at things, swim, play games, etc. This is a great trip for small groups and families alike.
If you have been rafting before and are looking for something a little more challenging, consider the 1/2 day or full day Royal Gorge. We think this is the best trip on the Arkansas River! The full day version is a very long trip and is better suited for those who might consider themselves "river rats." The half day trip spends approximately two hours on the river. Space on these trips is limited, so we strongly recommend that you make advance reservations.
When is the best time of year to go rafting?
There really is no best time of year for whitewater rafting. However, different water levels can create a very different experience. Water levels typically begin to rise when the snow begins to melt at the end of May, with the season peak occurring in June. July is typically moderate and warmer. August is warm but the water is usually lower. The unit of measure used to determine water levels is cubic feet per second (cfs). The following descriptions apply to levels measured at the Parkdale gauge during the course of an average year.
High water: > 2700 cfs:
This is the level for thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. Based on the snow melt, this may only last for a couple of weeks in June. The water is cold and raging, and the weather may be cold as well. Huge waves and holes are created and the boats can become completely engulfed in water as they go through most rapids. It is not uncommon for boats to flip or for crew members to get washed overboard if they do not hold on. If you are deathly afraid of water, let us know and we may be able to modify the trip to an easier section of river.
Medium water: 1000-2699 cfs:
At moderate flows, the whitewater action is still exciting, but since most of the rocks are covered, it makes navigation easier and reduces the likelihood of injuries associated with a flip or swim. Typically medium flows start at the end of May and first part of June. During July, things typically warm up and good flows generally continue through the month.
Low water: 200-999 cfs:
Nature lovers will enjoy this water level. Typically found at the beginning and at the end of the season, low water is a time to relax, enjoy the scenery, fish, and simply fall in love with the river. Rock gardens appear at extremely low water, making things very interesting when trying to get through. It is not uncommon to bounce off a few rocks along the way. While generally less intimidating, you can still get bruised badly if you fall overboard.
I've never been rafting before; is it safe?
Although there is risk involved in all outdoor adventure activities, Vessels For Honor considers safety a top priority and has taken many precautions to ensure guests have the highest quality experience possible. While we can not absolutely guarantee an incident-free trip, rafting with us is probably safer than driving your car to our site.
Before each raft trip, our guides review a number of safety procedures with all guests and also reinforce these guidelines throughout the trip. In addition, our guides have expert knowledge of each section of river we run, resulting in very few surprises.
I have younger children; will they be able to join us?
Children 5 and older are welcome to join you on your trip. Sometimes half the fun is just watching your child or grandchild's face!
Do I need to make advance reservations?
We welcome walk-in guests on a space-available basis. If you want to have a space on a specific trip, we would recommend making advance reservations. Groups of 10 or more can receive significant discounts by booking their trip prior to May 1.
How is the Arkansas River regulated?
River outfitting in Colorado is a highly regulated and professional industry. In order to take a commercial passenger river rafting in Colorado, the provider of the service, the "river outfitter," must be licensed by the State of Colorado. In addition to holding a license issued by the Colorado Division of Parks and Recreation, a river outfitter operating on the Arkansas must obtain a special use agreement through the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. AHRA monitors usage of each section of the upper Arkansas and administrates a rationing system when certain capacities are reached. Once a particular day is rationed, each outfitter is allocated a limited number of boats that they can use for that section. AHRA also monitors compliance to safety regulations that all outfitters are required to adhere to.
If we enjoyed the trip, may we tip our guide?
As as long as it's not out of the raft!!!
Tips are not expected; however, they are always appreciated when we have exceeded your expectations.
Can we request a specific guide?
Yes, If the guide you are requesting is available we will assign them to your trip.
What else is there to do in the area?
There are three websites that will provide you with many options (Clicking on these links will open a new browser window):
• TexasCreekAdventures.com- ATV Trips, Rafting, Camping/Lodging and more.
• The Colorado Directory.
• CentralColorado.com- Your Guide to Central Colorado Outdoor Recreation and VacationActivities. Note: be sure to check out the Canon City section.