Half-Day Bighorn

Family-Friendly Colorado Rafting

Our Most Popular Family Rafting Adventure!

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.

What to Expect

Our half-day trips depart twice a day from both of our locations and covers 7-14 Miles of river, depending on river flow. You will have the opportunity to jump off of a rock or take a swim in the Arkansas River at one of our riverside swimming locations. After your trip, be sure to check out the action photos we take of you and your crew as you take on the rapids!

Trip Details

Ages:

6 - Adult

Skill Level:

Beginner - Intermediate

Rapid Rating:

Class III - IV

Check-In Time:

9:00am & 1:00pm

Duration:

2 - 3 Hours

Departs From:

Texas Creek or Royal Gorge Office

Cost:

Adult: $79 / Child: $69

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What Our Guests Are Saying

“Great Fun, Inspiring people, memories for life!!”

KevnDanata
Cotopaxi, Colorado 

“It was the most amazing time we have had in a looong time! From the beginning when Mark gave the safety meeting I knew we were in good (Gods) hands! We then met our guide for the trip, Ryan is an amazing young man, and an inspiration to anyone who is lucky enough to meet him! ...There are tons of Rafting companies on the Arkansas River, but we will be back and recommending Journey Quest every time... ” Read Full Review

“Excellent Experience – Highly Recommend”

Cococanuck14
Hoschton, Georgia 

“Our party represented a wide range of ages (50-something to age 8) and rafting ability (first-timer to very experienced), yet management and our personal guide, Denise, worked with us to find a half-day trip that would please everyone. The scenery was lovely, and the trip delivered just the right amount of thrills for our group...We appreciated the fact that the trip began with a prayer for safety and ended with prayer of thanksgiving for a safe journey. Look forward to traveling with Journey Quest again.” 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

“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

“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

Rafting with a Purpose

Like all our trips, the purpose is much more than just white water rafting. 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. On this Half-Day Bighorn trip, we seek to share the transformational power of the living Gospel with all of our guests using spiritual analogies, personal testimonies, and thought provoking questions. This trip is perfect for your family, friends, or youth group who are looking to grow in a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Our guides look to be an example of what a disciple of Christ looks like by proclaiming the truth of the Bible, showing love towards one another, and praying with you during your trip. Read more about how and why we do this at Why Journey Quest?

Bighorn Sheep River Map Colorado's Arkansas River

Half-Day Bighorn

The Journey Begins

Navigate iconic Rapids such as Three Rocks, Spikebuck, and Shark’s Tooth as you get soaked on our Half-Day Bighorn adventure. With calm sections in-between rapids, be on the lookout for Bighorn Sheep, Blue Herons, and Geese that populate the landscape. Take a swim at Harvey’s Wallbanger, a great riverside swimming beach, or take a leap off a rock into the river at Monkey’s Rock or Double-Dip Rapid. Don’t forget to take in the beauty of the rolling canyon hills and the gorgeous flowers that bloom on the Cholla Cactus.

The Great Railroad War

Did you know there are sniper forts in the canyon? There was a railroad war that ensued between two railroad companies for the rights to build their tracks through the Royal Gorge. On this section of river, be on the lookout for sniper forts that were created in an effort to halt the construction of the railroad. Rifles and Pistols were soon paired with shovels and pick axes as the fight for the railway began. Be sure to ask your guide about the history of the Royal Gorge railroad war.