Join us for an exciting Colorado white water rafting trip this season! Arkansas River Tours has been offering exceptional whitewater rafting in Colorado since 1973. Colorado's Rocky Mountains are the birthplace of more major rivers than any other mountain range in the U.S.  Colorado's Arkansas River, the most popular river in America, provides a variety of rafting experiences ranging from ½ day trips to multi-day trips with camping, easy whitewater for family vacation adventures to challenging extreme adventures in Class IV+ whitewater. Three unique canyons, Bighorn Canyon, Brown's Canyon and the Royal Gorge provide whitewater rafting trips for the timid beginner to the seasoned veteran. Our unique location on the Arkansas River between the Royal Gorge and Salida, two of Colorado's favorite destinations, provides quick access to exciting whitewater rafting vacations.

ROYAL GORGE - The ultimate whitewater challenge in Colorado.  A 1/2 day or full day Royal Gorge rafting trip will test the hardiest paddlers. This is our most popular Class IV-V whitewater trip. The heart-pounding whitewater in the Royal Gorge  is a must for every whitewater adventurer. Don't miss it! 

MOST POPULAR -  Visit our River and Rail Package  page for our new itinerary including a delicious steak or chicken BBQ lunch at our riverside picnic area. Combine the thrill of rafting in Bighorn Sheep Canyon with a spectacular train ride through the Royal Gorge with the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Choose our 1/2 Day Bighorn Sheep Canyon trip or our Cottonwood Family Float which allow kids as young as 5 years old.  Our package now offers a round-trip train ride. Two of the Royal Gorge regions favorite activities in one day!

SLIDESHOWS OF EVERY TRIP ! - View a slideshow of your rafting trip with several images taken by our professional in-house photographers! CD's of all the images of your raft are available within minutes of arriving back at our base in Cotopaxi.

 MINI-VACATIONS - Our riverside base is the perfect basecamp for a 2 or 3 day Arkansas River multi-day adventure.   Combine Bighorn Sheep Canyon, Brown's Canyon and the Royal Gorge to experience the finest rafting in Colorado in one trip.  Exceptional meals are provided by your guides as you enjoy camping right by the river at our private campsite. On site amenities include permanent tents with cots, private fishing, showers, horseshoes, volleyball and evening campfires.

GROUP RAFTING TRIPS - Customized and exclusive trips for just your group are available on the Arkansas River.  Our unique location allows groups with different interests and abilities to raft the same day on different sections and then come back to the same base.  The Arkansas River is the perfect setting for your group's Colorado rafting adventure!  Groups of 6 or more can book exclusive launches on the Gunnison Gorge or the Rio Chama. These are the perfect getaway trips on a wilderness river that are all about you!

 Get the boys together and we will design a custom father-son trip for your family or scout group. Learn to fly fish for trout on one of our instructional programs. Gain new insights about your coworkers on a customized corporate team-building river trip.

Visit our Cotopaxi, Colorado history page. Learn about the fascinating beginning of our little town in the Arkansas River valley.

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The possibilities are endless on an Arkansas River Tours river adventure! We invite your family and friends to join us for a trip full of memories that will last a lifetime.

* A 3 to 8% BLM, Colorado State Park and/or access fee will be applied to all trips.