Opening Day at River Runners

2017 Colorado Whitewater Rafting Season

Raft the Arkansas River

The River Runners whitewater rafting season opens April 1, 2017. Raft the Browns Canyon, the Family Float, the Royal Gorge, and the Bighorn Sheep Canyon sections of the Arkansas River. Only half day tours are offered early season. The full schedule of trips will open May 13 – September 4. Book your raft trip online or call 800-723-8987.

Deep snowpack setting up another epic whitewater rafting season

The snowpack in Colorado’s Arkansas River Basin is well above average heading into spring. This means big whitewater for late May and June and good flows the rest of the season.

Plan your whitewater rafting trip on Colorado’s Arkansas River

High Water
Spring runoff starts mid-May and goes through the end of June – with peak runoff around June 15 on average. These are the “powder days” of whitewater. You’ll find the most exciting experience during this time, but there are still family-friendly options on class I sections of the river.

Medium Water
Colorado’s Arkansas River could have medium flows in April but will give way to spring runoff for about six weeks starting mid-May. Medium flows will return in July through mid-August. These are great water levels for first-time rafters and young families to raft Browns Canyon or Bighorn Sheep Canyon. It’s also a good time for thrill-seekers to challenge advanced sections like the Numbers and the Royal Gorge, which are usually closed during high water.

Low Water
Low water is typical of late-August and September. This time of year is less crowded, the river is more technical, and the water is clear.

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