Echo Canyon River Expeditions

Echo Canyon is an institution on the Arkansas River. When they started in 1978, whitewater rafting was still a niche adventure sport. Today, they've introduced hundreds of thousands of guests to the thrill of Colorado whitewater, and their commitment to safety and guest experience has only grown stronger. Their 8-Mile Full Day trip through Bighorn Sheep Canyon is the most popular offering—a perfect blend of exciting rapids, stunning scenery, and enough calm stretches to catch your breath and take in the towering canyon walls. The Royal Gorge Expedition is their most extreme option, reserved for those ready to tackle Class IV-V rapids in one of North America's most dramatic canyons. But Echo Canyon is more than a rafting company. Their adventure campus west of Canon City is a destination in itself. The zip line course features multiple lines with aerial views of the Arkansas River valley. The Via Ferrata climbing route lets you scale cliff faces using a protected cable system—no previous climbing experience needed. Jeep tours venture into backcountry areas most visitors never see. The facilities are first-rate: a full-service restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, the retail shop carries quality outdoor gear (not just logo t-shirts), and the changing facilities include private showers. During peak season, the energy at base camp is electric—groups returning from the river trading stories while new adventurers gear up. Guides go through one of the most rigorous training programs in the industry, including swift-water rescue certification. Many are also certified in wilderness first response. When you raft with Echo Canyon, you're in genuinely capable hands.