Rafting the Colorado River Will Be the Ride of Your Life

First discovered by Spanish conquistadors in the early fifteen hundreds, the Colorado River is most well known for carving out the Grand Canyon; one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the United States. The river has humble beginning in Rocky Mountain National park and winds through 5 states on its way to the Pacific Ocean via California. This long trek consists of huge canyons, relentless rapids, unforgettable terrain, amazing wildlife, and numerous dams. Most notably the Hoover dam controls much of the water flow and helped create many of the lakes in Arizona like Havassu and Mead.

If you are looking into rafting the Colorado River, the season typically is a little shorter than the main white water rafting season in Colorado. Dams releases control the flow and the season tends to start in July and runs through September. Home to the most epic ride of your life, Gore Canyon on the Colorado River is not for the faint of heart. Only experienced rafters are allowed on this part of the Colorado River due speed and technical difficulty. While you may not have much time in the class IV and V rapids in the Gore Canyon to enjoy the wildlife and rich history, there are many other trips you can take on the Colorado River for a more relaxed adventure. These trips include float trips, inflatable kayak trips, and class III river trips. These adventures are much more suited for families and novice rafters. Regardless of the type of trip, expect your guide to be well informed, safety conscious, and respectful of the environment.

To take advantage of the Colorado River, you will need to stay near the actual river. The Colorado River is located on the western part of Colorado so accommodations in towns like Glenwood Springs, Aspen, Vail, Beavercreek, and even Grand Junction are ideal summer vacation spots. Colorado has a seemingly limitless amount of things to do in addition to whitewater rafting. Minimal rain and perfect temperatures make shopping, wine tastings, camping, hiking, mountain biking, and golf an excellent alternative to rafting.

Whether you are looking for a thrill ride or a relaxing float trip, rafting the Colorado River is guaranteed to be a trip you won't soon forget. The beauty of your surroundings, the peacefulness of nature, and a white knuckle ride through turbulent water, add to the trip of a lifetime. So what are you waiting for! Start planning for your next adventure today! Are your bags already packed and waiting? Mine sure are.