River Runners - Royal Gorge Rafting Center Canon City, Colorado

Raft the Royal Gorge on the Arkansas River in Canon City, Colorado

Raft under the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canon City, Colorado on the Arkansas River

Whitewater rafting near Colorado Springs, Denver, and the Colorado ski areas in Summit County

The River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center is located 6 miles west of Canon City on Hwy. 50, at the Royal Gorge Bridge turn-off just minutes from the launch site for the Royal Gorge rafting trip on the Arkansas River. This convenient rafting location will save you time on your busy Colorado vacation.

Fully Guided Whitewater rafting trips daily

May – September in a Colorado State Park

Your professionally trained and Colorado state certified rafting guides will take care of all the organization of your whitewater rafting adventure. Once you arrive at the Royal Gorge Rafting Center in Canon City all your rafting equipment and transportation needs will be provided.

Half is FUN!

Full day rafting gets the full meal deal!

You may choose between half day and full day whitewater rafting trips through the Royal Gorge or Bighorn Sheep Canyon on the Arkansas River.

1/2 Day = 3 Hours

Full Day = 6 Hours + Lunch

Half day white water rafting trips are about 3 hours and full day rafting trips are about 6 hours and include a catered riverside lunch. Whitewater rafting wetsuits, booties and spray jackets are available for your comfort.

Convenient Rafting Location

Your rafting trip will meet at the Royal Gorge Rafting Center 1 hour from Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2 hours from Denver, Colorado and 2.5 hours from Summit County Colorado ski resorts. Rafting trips are also available, upstream on the Arkansas River, at the Riverside Rafting Resort in Buena Vista, Colorado.

Arkansas River Rafting Discounts

No matter what the size of your group you can receive a discount to raft with River Runners on the Arkansas River. If you book your Colorado river rafting trip 30 days prior to departure you are eligible for a 10% early bird discount. If you are in the active military we thank you for your service and you may receive a 15% discount on your rafting trip in Canon City, this rafting trip discount is valid any time.

Group Whitewater Rafting Discounts

SAVE 10% on Arkansas River Rafting


Planning a rafting trip with family and friends? Get 10 or more people together to go whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River in Canon City, Colorado and you can save 10% off your entire rafting reservation.

SAVE 20% with 20 or more people white water rafting

River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center is set up to handle large groups. There is ample parking for multiple busses. If you have a group of 30 or more please call to receive the best group whitewater rafting rate available.

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park ia a must see Colorado attraction. All River Runners white water rafting guests receive discount ticket to visit the Royal Gorge Bridge.

Rafting daily in Canon City, Colorado: May – September

The most popular family whitewater rafting trip in Canon City, Colorado

Bighorn Sheep Canyon is a beautiful Colorado Canyon filled with great whitewater and wildlife

The River Runners Bighorn Sheep Canyon whitewater rafting trip is a great mix of education and family-friendly class III whitewater. This section of the Arkansas River is incredibly scenic, splashy, and fun. You will paddle through a Colorado State Park where there are many opportunities to see bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, birds of prey, and water fowl.

Learn about Colorado’s rich history, unique geology and of course how to paddle a whitewater raft. Enjoy more than 10 miles of whitewater rafting and 10 plus named rapids.

First time whitewater rafting?

If it is your first time whitewater rafting in Colorado and/or you are rafting with children, this is the whitewater rafting trip for your group. Bighorn Sheep Canyon is the perfect place to learn how to whitewater raft in Colorado. A River Runners whitewater professional will provide you with all the proper whitewater rafting equipment and teach you how to paddle. Most people choose to paddle, but if you would prefer, a whitewater professional can row you down the river while you sit back and watch the beautiful Colorado scenery.

View Larger Map

Colorado family activity ideas: Go whitewater rafting in Canon City

Whitewater rafting with the family is a must do activity on your Colorado summer vacation

• Kids under 14 years of age please join us on a Bighorn Sheep Canyon Whitewater rafting trip in Canon City
• Kids 14 and above you may raft the Royal Gorge in Canon City

Whitewater rafting Bighorn Sheep Canyon is an incredible family adventure that will create unforgettable memories. River Runners will provide all the necessary whitewater rafting equipment, transportation to and from the Arkansas River, and a professional whitewater rafting guide. Your whitewater rafting adventure in Canon City, Colorado awaits.  

Map and driving directions to Canon City, Colorado

Your white water rafting trip will start and end in Canon City, Colorado

If you are driving from Colorado Springs, Colorado please allow 1 – 1.5 hours, it is approximately 55 miles to Canon City, Colorado.


If you are driving from Denver, Colorado please allow 2.5 hours, it is approximately 122 miles to Canon City, Colorado.

View Larger Colorado Map:

River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Canon City, Colorado

Book a Royal Gorge whitewater rafting trip in Canon City Colorado with River Runners

A Royal Gorge whitewater rafting trip is a must do on any Colorado summer vacation

Located just a few miles outside of Canon City in south central Colorado, the Royal Gorge is a 10 mile long canyon cut by the Arkansas River with vertical walls at more than 1,000 feet above the river. It was discovered in 1806 by U.S. explorer Zebulon Pike, and has since become the site of historic railroad wars, world-renowned engineering, and some of the best class IV-V whitewater rafting in the United States.

Visit River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center May 1 through Labor Day to go whitewater rafting through the Royal Gorge. Colorado river rafting through the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River is best in spring and summer during snow melt.

Royal Gorge Bridge Facts:

• The Royal Gorge Bridge was constructed in 1929 in just six months at a cost of $350,000 – the cost today would exceed $15 million
• The Royal Gorge Bridge is the highest suspension bridge in North America, suspended nearly 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River
• The Royal Gorge Bridge is made of 2,100 strands of No. 9 galvanized wire
• The Royal Gorge Bridge walkway is made of 1,292 planks of deck; about 250 are replaced annually
• The Royal Gorge Bridge will support in excess of two million pounds daily
• The Royal Gorge Bridge is 18 feet wide and 1,263 feet long
• The Royal Gorge Bridge towers are 150′ tall

View Larger Colorado Map:
River Runners Rafting Canon City, Colorado

Challenge the Royal Gorge in Canon City by raft

Raft under the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canon City, Colorado on the Arkansas River

The best way to experience the Royal Gorge in Canon City, Colorado is on a River Runners half day whitewater rafting trip. Paddle through this incredible canyon and navigate some of the biggest class IV-V rapids in Colorado.

Raft past the Royal Gorge Route Train

The Royal Gorge Train runs beside the Arkansas River, which adds excitement as it echos throughout the canyon.

As you approach the center of the Royal Gorge smile and wave to the spectators who rode the incline railway all the way to the bottom of the canyon from the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. Look 1,000 feet above to view the world famous Royal Gorge Bridge.

Bright green cottonwoods hang over the river’s edge as you exit the Royal Gorge and make your way into Canon City, Colorado where your trip will conclude. River Runners will provide transportation back to the River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center where you can view photos of your Royal Gorge whitewater rafting trip.

We can teach anyone how to raft

Your whitewater rafting group will be outfitted with the latest whitewater rafting gear at River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center. A professional whitewater river guide will be assigned to your group and will teach you the basics of whitewater rafting. You will have plenty of time to practice your whitewater paddling skills before you hit the big rapids of the Royal Gorge. Work together as a team to have a successful run in the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River in Canon City, Colorado.

You must see the Royal Gorge in Canon City, Colorado

Almost anyone can go whitewater rafting through the Royal Gorge. If it is your first time whitewater rafting, but you know how to swim, are in good physical condition and have an adventurous spirit, you will have a great time whitewater rafting the Royal Gorge in Canon City, Colorado.

Royal Gorge whitewater rafting videos

Raft at The Royal Gorge Rafting Center in Canon City, Colorado

Canon City, Colorado Royal Gorge Rafting Center

Royal Gorge Rafting Trip Details

• Advanced reservations for your Royal Gorge rafting trip are recommended.
• Please meet at River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center 44641 US Highway 50, Canon City, Colorado 81212.
• Please arrive 1 hour prior to your trip time. This is to check in and be fitted with your rafting gear.
• Once you check in please allow 3 hours for your half day rafting trip and 6 hours for your full day rafting trip.
• Once you arrive transportation will be provided up the Arkansas River to the Royal Gorge put in.
• Professional photographers will take photographs of you while you are rafting the Royal Gorge.
• After your Royal Gorge rafting trip enjoy a free slide show of your rafting photographs.

Map and driving directions to Canon City, Colorado

Your white water rafting trip will start and end in Canon City, Colorado

If you are driving from Colorado Springs, Colorado please allow 1 – 1.5 hours, it is approximately 55 miles to Canon City, Colorado.

If you are driving from Denver, Colorado please allow 2.5 hours, it is approximately 122 miles to Canon City, Colorado.

View Larger Colorado Map:

View Larger Colorado Map:
River Runners Rafting Canon City, Colorado

Challenge the best whitewater rapids twice in one day

The Royal Gorge was carved by the Arkansas River and whitewater rafting through the Royal Gorge is the best way to experience this unique Colorado geology.

The Royal Gorge Route Train runs along side the Arkansas River as you raft the Royal Gorge. This adds excitement as it echos through the canyon.

River Runners will transport your group eight miles back to the River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center at the conclusion of your whitewater rafting adventure in Canon City, Colorado. Here you can watch your whitewater rafting photos from your Royal Gorge rafting trip.

Whitewater professionals will teach you how to raft

Your group will be outfitted with the latest whitewater rafting gear at the River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center. River Runners will assign your group a professional whitewater river guide who will teach you the basics of whitewater rafting. You will have time to practice your whitewater paddling skills before you hit the big rapids of the Royal Gorge.

What makes River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center in Canon City unique?

• River runners has been teaching people how to raft in Canon City since 1972
• Our whitewater rafting guides in the Royal Gorge have many years of experience and come back year after year to work for River Runners
• River Runners is the most popular whitewater rafting company in Canon City, Colorado
• Our whitewater rafting guides get to run the Royal Gorge regularly
• View professional photographs of your Canon City whitewater rafting trip on our flat screen TVs at the River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center
• From your first phone call you will learn why River Runners is the most popular whitewater rafting company in Canon City, Colorado

Royal Gorge whitewater rafting videos

Raft at The Royal Gorge Rafting Center in Canon City, Colorado

Canon City, Colorado Royal Gorge Rafting Center

Royal Gorge Rafting Trip Details

• Advanced reservations for your Royal Gorge rafting trip are recommended.
• Please meet at River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center 44641 US Highway 50, Canon City, Colorado 81212.
• Please arrive 1 hour prior to your trip time. This is to check in and be fitted with your rafting gear.
• Once you check in please allow 3 hours for your half day rafting trip and 6 hours for your full day rafting trip.
• Once you arrive transportation will be provided up the Arkansas River to the Royal Gorge put in.
• Professional photographers will take photographs of you while you are rafting the Royal Gorge.
• After your Royal Gorge rafting trip enjoy a free slide show of your rafting photographs.

Map and driving directions to Canon City, Colorado

Your white water rafting trip will start and end in Canon City, Colorado

If you are driving from Colorado Springs, Colorado please allow 1 – 1.5 hours, it is approximately 55 miles to Canon City, Colorado.


If you are driving from Denver, Colorado please allow 2.5 hours, it is approximately 122 miles to Canon City, Colorado.

View Larger Colorado Map:

River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Canon City, Colorado