Bighorn Sheep Canyon

Family & Group Rafting on Colorado’s Arkansas River

Family Rafting at it's best!

Ages:
6+ (Family Float 3+)
Skill Level:
Beginner - Intermediate
Rapids:
Class II - III (Family Float II - II+)
Departs From:
Royal Gorge Office or Texas Creek
Season:
April - September
Gear:
FREE wetsuit, splash jacket & river shoes

Bighorn Sheep Canyon is the best whitewater rafting in Colorado for families and groups. The Canyon has a high desert feel to it with lots of wildlife to see along the way. This section of the Arkansas River is scattered with fun rapids and plenty of time to sit back, relax, and enjoy God’s Creation. Grab your family and friends and join us on your next Colorado Rafting Adventure.

Find Your Perfect Trip

Our Full-Day and Half-Day Bighorn Sheep Canyon trips are perfect for beginner to intermediate rafters as young as 6 years old, with our Family Float trip for those as young as 3. All of our rafting trips include free wetsuit rentals and all required safety equipment. Full-day trips include a delicious riverside lunch. Each trip includes the incredible opportunities to experience Journey Quest’s Christ-centered ministry directed by your guide.

Half-Day Bighorn

Duration:
2 - 3 Hours
Price:
Adult: $89 / Child: $79

Full-Day Bighorn

Duration:
6 - 7 Hours (Includes Lunch)
Price:
Adult: $159 / Child: $149

Bighorn Family Float

Duration:
2 - 3 Hours
Price:
Adult: $89 / Child: $79

Half-Day Bighorn

The Half-Day Bighorn Sheep Canyon trip is our most popular rafting adventure! You will experience excellent Colorado Rafting as you hit the most exciting and iconic rapids in the Bighorn Sheep Canyon. This is the perfect Arkansas River trip for beginner to intermediate rafters. You’ll love the scenery, the experience, and the intentional ministry led by our guides on your next Colorado whitewater rafting adventure. Learn More…
Ages:
6 +
Skill Level:
Beginner - Intermediate
Duration:
2 - 3 Hours
Price:
Adult: $89 / Child: $79

Full-Day Bighorn

The Full-Day Bighorn Sheep Canyon trip is a perfect way to have fun with family and friends. On this purposeful rafting adventure, you will see incredible scenery, experience wonderful whitewater rafting, and create memories that will last a lifetime. With a full-day on the river, there’s plenty of time to take a plunge into the Arkansas River, play games, view wildlife, and enjoy everything else Bighorn Sheep Canyon has to offer. Join us on your next full day of Colorado Rafting fun! Learn More…
Ages:
6 +
Skill Level:
Beginner - Intermediate
Duration:
6 - 7 Hours (Includes Lunch)
Price:
Adult: $159 / Child: $149

Bighorn Family Float

The Bighorn Family Float is the perfect introductory whitewater rafting trip for families with young children! This stretch covers a milder stretch of Bighorn Sheep Canyon, giving your kids a thrill for Colorado Rafting. There are several fun class II-II+ rapids on this stretch and the opportunity to stop and swim in the Arkansas River. You and your family will love this trip! Learn More…
Ages:
3 +
Skill Level:
Beginner
Duration:
2 - 3 Hours
Price:
Adult: $89 / Child: $79

Rafting with a Purpose

As a Christ-centered Wilderness Ministry, Journey Quest strives to have a greater purpose behind all of our trips than just having fun. Our Bighorn Sheep Canyon trips are perfect for your family, friends, or youth group who are looking to grow in a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Our guides seek opportunities to use even a couple hours together on the river to share about the love and grace that is found in Jesus Christ. Whether you’re already a Christ-follower or if you’ve never come to know Him, we would love to share what He’s done in our lives and encourage you to take the next step in faith – whether that be increasing in love for Him or beginning a lifelong relationship with Jesus. Read more about how and why we do this at Why Journey Quest?

What Our Guests Are Saying

“Amazing Family Adventure”
teamschwalm6
Kansas City, Missouri
“We'd been waiting to raft until our youngest could go with us. Journey Quest provided a wonderful family rafting experience for us all. We had Mark with us and our group of six, four being our kids ages 8-12. He was great throughout and being a father himself, answered all the kids' questions without a problem. It was fast-paced for the adults, but tame enough for the kids. Very experienced and professional group of guides.” Read Full Review
“Rafting trip”
290visitor
Covington, Louisiana
“Thoroughly enjoyed our trip! The guide was very friendly and safety conscious. We were able to relax and enjoy the scenery.” Read Full Review
“Such a great time, Journey Quest became an annual event!”
ProfDW
Sasayama-shi, Hyogo, Japan
“Several years ago, my church in Colorado Springs decided to make rafting a summer event. We chose Journey Quest (VFH at that time) and had a blast. We did the half day trip that ends just before the Royal Gorge, and it was perfect for our mixed group. With kids from 13 years old through adventurous grandparents, we wanted something everyone would enjoy; Journey Quest delivered a safe, entertaining, and exciting voyage each time.” Read Full Review
“Unforgettable experience!”
Kyle G
Via TripAdvisor
“From beginning to end, this was an incredible experience! Kody Adcock was my guide for the day, but the entire staff and crew was wonderful! They made me feel so comfortable and we had plenty of laughs along the way...The water was wonderful, the stories were spectacular, and the scenery was amazing! I'd recommend a trip with JourneyQuest to anyone looking for an adventure and ready to get their adrenaline going! Thanks guys!” Read Full Review
“Everything about this company was amazing!”
Alexandra Meiris
Via Google +
“Everything about this company was amazing! Staff was great, very friendly, knowledgeable, and i felt 100% safe climbing into a raft with anyone of their members. I felt very blessed to have gone. I would recommend this company to anyone and will defiantly be booking another trip! ” Read Full Review
Bighorn Sheep Canyon Arkansas River Map

About Bighorn Sheep Canyon

Bighorn Sheep Canyon is the second-most popular Rafting adventure in Colorado! Located in the beautiful Arkansas River Valley between Canon City and Salida, Colorado, this is the closest family rafting trip to Colorado Springs.

Explore the Canyon

Bighorn Sheep Canyon is known for the outstanding whitewater rafting, Trout fishing, riverside camping, and the Bighorn Sheep that roam the high desert landscape. You will also find excellent hiking and ATV trails to explore in and around the canyon. A scenic drive on Highway 50 between Canon City and Salida is a great way to experience the entire Canyon, but nothing beats the experience you will have on the river.

Family-Friendly Rafting

The Arkansas River between Texas Creek and Parkdale boasts amazing Class III-IV rapids like Maytag, Three Rocks, Spikebuck, and Shark’s Tooth. This section of river is fun for first-timers and seasoned boaters alike who aren’t quite ready to take on the thrill of rafting the Royal Gorge. Bighorn Sheep Canyon is real Colorado white water rafting, so be ready to get soaked and paddle hard when your guide tells you to!

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