Rapids

Is there a good time of the year to go white water rafting?

I heard it's in the spring, but I'm planning a trip to the Rockies in July. This will be my 1st time white water rafting, so I'm definitely a beginner. That said, I'm in good shape and am looking for a fun trip down the river. Will I be OK in July? I'm pretty open to places to go. Some friends referred me to spots by Canon City and Buena Vista. I'd like to stay within 100 miles or so of Denver.

Public Comments

1. Depending on where you are planning..."Rockies" doesn't tell us much. You should still be good in July for good rapids. **Edit: You could def go to South Park for good rapids on the Arkansas in July. Also you could head north to the Cache La Poudre River, in July its great! That was my first river trip and it was amazing! That's only about 75 miles away from Denver. Canyon City area would probably be good as well. I don't know much about it so can't say for sure!
2. June and July are very good. Spring is, of course, the best as the snow is melting and the rivers cfs is way up. However, it's been such a cool spring this year that the snowpack is just not melting off that quickly. The Arkansas is going to be a little more than 100 miles for you. If you're determined to stay close to Denver, you should stick to the Colorado River. However, the whitewater on the Arkansas is much better! I would definitely suggest there first. My DH and his friends are all whitewater kayakers. We live in southern Colorado and spend a lot of time on the Arkansas. I would suggest using Raft Masters (http://www.raftmasters.com/ ) as your rafting company. They have always been very good to the Pueblo Paddlers as far as offering their services for our whitewater events and festivals. Have fun! I know you'll enjoy it!
3. July is perfect, particularly early July. The water is going to be high this summer due to the incredible snow winter.