Colorado Springs rafting: Bighorn Sheep Canyon or Royal Gorge
Rafting near Colorado Springs does not take place in the Garden of the Gods. The trips run on the Arkansas River around Cañon City and Cotopaxi, in two very different stretches: Bighorn Sheep Canyon, with Class II to III rapids that suit first-timers, and the Royal Gorge, where the trips are listed as Class III to V and ask for real paddling.
Prices are per person and current as of November 2026: from $98 for a Bighorn half day to $249 for a full day in the Royal Gorge.
Our picks: rafting trips
A Bighorn half day for beginners, a full day with lunch and the Royal Gorge for bigger water.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator and GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Full-day Bighorn Sheep Canyon rafting from Cotopaxi
- Professional guide
- Helmet, life jacket and splash jacket
- River-side lunch
Royal Gorge half-day rafting, Class III to V
- Professional guide
- Helmet, life jacket and wetsuit
- Splash jacket
Half-day Bighorn Sheep Canyon rafting from Cotopaxi
- Professional guide
- Helmet and life jacket
- Wetsuit, splash jacket and river shoes
The lowest-priced way onto the river: Class II to III rapids in the canyon, for beginners and up.
Check availability →Colorado Springs rafting tours
Two Bighorn Sheep Canyon half days, a Bighorn full day with lunch, and two Royal Gorge trips, each with a guide and river gear.
Bighorn Sheep Canyon rafting for beginners
There are two Bighorn half days. The $98 trip starts at Texas Creek near Cotopaxi and runs Class II to III rapids. A second half day starts in Cañon City and costs $149, with a minimum of age 7 and 50 pounds.
Royal Gorge rafting: the bigger water
The Royal Gorge trips start in Cañon City: a half day of about 3.5 hours for $149 and a full day for $249, both listed as Class III to V.
The minimum age is 14. You need to swim and be fit enough to paddle, though first-timers who are ready for an adventure are welcome. Helmets are required in the gorge at any water level, and when the river runs very high the state parks agency advises against this stretch, so trips can change with the flow. To see the gorge from above instead, read about the Royal Gorge bridge and park.
What the price difference buys
The $98 Bighorn half day is the lowest-cost way onto the river. For a first rafting trip, a Bighorn half day gives you most of the fun at the lowest price; for experienced paddlers, the Royal Gorge is the reason to come.
Season and what to bring
The Bighorn half day runs from April to September and the full day from May to August. The Royal Gorge trips run from early May to the Labor Day weekend, with a short extension when conditions allow.
Wear quick-drying shorts or a swimsuit and bring river or tennis shoes, sunglasses with a strap, sunscreen and dry clothes and shoes for afterwards. Cooler days call for fleece layers. Thunderstorms can stop a trip, so book a day with some flexibility. Planning other days? See our Garden of the Gods tours for jeeps, e-bikes and Segways.
Rafting near Colorado Springs: questions and answers
How much does rafting near Colorado Springs cost?
Per person, the Bighorn half day costs $98 or $149, the Bighorn full day $169, the Royal Gorge half day $149 and the Royal Gorge full day $249. The full-day trips include lunch.
Is there rafting in the Garden of the Gods?
No. All five trips run on the Arkansas River near Cañon City and Cotopaxi, outside the park. The Royal Gorge trips start in Cañon City.
What is the minimum age for rafting?
The Bighorn trips start at age 6 or 7, depending on the trip, and the second also needs a minimum of 50 pounds. The Royal Gorge trips require age 14 and the ability to swim.