Arkansas River Camping Trips
AT A GLANCE
Highlights
- Exhilarating Class IV+ Whitewater
- Comfortable Base camping
- Multiple Trip Options
- Delicious Camp Cuisine
Overview
The Arkansas River is perhaps the most classic whitewater river in the United States. From its upper reaches at the base of the near 15,000ft Collegiate Peaks near Leadville down to its desert canyons near Canyon City the Arkansas river rolls and roars through a series of unique alpine canyons and valleys. Each section offers its own variety of river excitement; from fun and splashy class II/III floats to the steep maneuvers of The Numbers and the stout rapids in the Royal Gorge.
The Arkansas River has long been a destination for families and groups looking to experience the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and the adventure of a fantastic mountain river.
Of the various sections, Browns Canyon and Big Horn Sheep Canyon offer great family friendly options for some class III+ river running, while The Numbers and the Royal Gorge stand out as some of the best technical whitewater in the Rockies.
We offer several combinations of the possible river sections and each trip can be catered to meet the exact needs of your group. We always recommend our classic Arkansas 3-day, but are happy to mix and match any of the sections and for groups looking for a quicker get away the 2-day adventure is a fun and relaxing option.
About
Our Classic Arkansas 3-day consists of 3-days of some of the best whitewater this river has to offer: Day one will be our warm up day on Browns Canyon, followed by days in Big Horn Sheep Canyon and the infamous Royal Gorge. You will enjoy three full days of exciting rapids and a variety of beautiful mountain scenery. Guests can expect fun and challenging rapids, comfortable camping and great wildlife viewing opportunities.
Itinerary
Day 1: The day will begin by meeting at the offices of Canyon River Instruction, our partners in our Arkansas River trips. There, we will equip you with all necessary river and camping equipment that you will need for the next few days. Once we are ready for the day we will load up and take the 20-minute shuttle to the starting point for our 13-mile run down one of the most exciting Class III stretches in the west. Enjoy rapids such as Zoom Flume, Widowmaker, Siedel’s Suckhole and Twin Falls. Every day will be punctuated by a fresh and delicious riverside lunch.
After the day is over we will return to our private camping area and set up our basecamp where we will be staying for the two nights of the trip. The great thing about basecampjng is that we don’t have to break camp every day!
Day 2: Wake up to a beautiful morning in the Arkansas Valley and enjoy hot coffee and a delicious breakfast. Once we are all fed and ready to go, we will load up and head to the put in for our day in Big Horn Sheep Canyon! We will enjoy a beautiful day of whitewater and high desert scenery in this lower altitude section of the Arkansas River. Notable rapids will include Three Rocks, Pinnacle Rock and Spikebuck. After another exciting day on the river we will return to our camp for a relaxing evening under the Colorado stars.
Day 3: After another beautiful morning we will set off for the day and run the most exciting and exhilarating whitewater of the trip. The Royal Gorge has long been a revered section of adventurous whitewater. Tucked tightly within towering vertical walls rapids come one right after another as you make your way through classics such as Sunshine, Wall Slammer and Sledgehammer. After a beautiful day on the water, we will return you to your vehicle around 3 pm.
Camp Scene/Gear
Camp Scene:
Get ready to pitch a tent, sling a hammock, throw down a pad, and relax! Every day we will prepare and serve you a delicious riverside lunch, not limited to, but often including an array of home-roasted sandwich meats and homemade dips and salsas. In addition, our camp dinners and breakfasts are a classic staple of the Far Flung experience, as 40 years in business has not only taught us the principles of reading white-water…but also of cooking and camp ambiance!
***Please let us know ahead of time about any allergies or special food requirements***
Camp Gear:
Following is a list of required and recommend items for this three-day camping excursion. As part of this experience we will provide waterproof dry bags for all of your personal items, camp chairs for fireside relaxation and enjoyment, and any camping equipment that you need.
About
If you are looking for an exhilarating and beautiful two-day adventure, this is the trip for you. Experience a fantastic array of canyon wilderness, premier whitewater and comfortable base-camping beneath the high peaks of the Arkansas Valley. Our Two-day trips are typically arranged to highlight the Browns Canyon Section and the Royal Gorge, but if you are interested in a different itinerary please let us know!
Itinerary
Day 1: The day will begin by meeting at 9am at the offices of Canyon River Instruction, our partners in our Arkansas River trips. There, we will equip you with all necessary river and camping equipment that you will need for the next few days. Once we are ready for the day we will load up and take the 20-minute shuttle to the starting point for our 13-mile run down one of the most exciting Class III stretches in the west. Enjoy rapids such as Zoom Flume, Widowmaker, Siedel’s Suckhole and Twin Falls. Every day will be punctuated by a fresh and delicious riverside lunch.
After the day is over we will return to our private camping area and set up our basecamp where we will be staying for the two nights of the trip. The great thing about basecampjng is that we don’t have to break camp every day!
Day 2: After another beautiful morning we will set off for the day and run the most exciting and exhilarating whitewater of the trip. The Royal Gorge has long been a revered section of adventurous whitewater. Tucked tightly within towering vertical walls rapids come one right after another as you make your way through classics such as Sunshine, Wall Slammer and Sledgehammer. After a beautiful day on the water, we will return you to your vehicle around 3 pm.
Camp Scene/Gear
Camp Scene:
Get ready to pitch a tent, sling a hammock, throw down a pad, and relax! Every day we will prepare and serve you a delicious riverside lunch, not limited to, but often including an array of home-roasted sandwich meats and homemade dips and salsas. In addition, our camp dinners and breakfasts are a classic staple of the Far Flung experience, as 40 years in business has not only taught us the principles of reading white-water…but also of cooking and camp ambiance!
***Please let us know ahead of time about any allergies or special food requirements***
Camp Gear:
Following is a list of required and recommend items for this three-day camping excursion. As part of this experience we will provide waterproof dry bags for all of your personal items, camp chairs for fireside relaxation and enjoyment, and any camping equipment that you need.
About
The Arkansas River has many fantastic sections to float to can accommodate the different needs or desires of your group. For groups looking for more excitement, the addition of the Numbers and Fractions sections makes for a fantastic full day trip. For those looking for less whitewater, there are several beautiful class II/III sections that can be substituted in order to accommodate those looking for a less aggressive itinerary. Please inquire to so we can put together the perfect trip for you and your group!
BOOK YOUR TRIP TODAY!
Join us for an adventure that you will never forget!