Any recommendations for a white water rafting vacation?

[4forMe]

We are attempting to plan a family trip with my brother's family this summer. All the kids want to do a white water rafting trip. Any suggestions where to go (we were thinking Colorado)? There will be 8 kids ages 8 to 14.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Consider S Utah as well - you'd be close to severals National Parks too - Arches, Canyon Lands, Zion and the Grand Canyon.

Here's what I found when I googled - RAFT

 

[Darcy03231]

If you're looking at one of those week long trips where you camp out along the river, be prepared - they're expensive! We looked into it and when we found it was going to run us about $1,000/pp (without airfare), we decided to do something else instead.

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

I definitely recommend ARTA and the Green River through the Lodore Canyon. It starts in Colorado, goes through Utah. ARTA is a wonderful organization (I trained and worked with them a bit years ago when I was a white water rafting guide).

We took our then 5 yr old dd and 7 yr old ds for the family trip. The first 5 minutes of rafting my 5 yr old said, "Are we there yet?" Fortunately, that was the last time she asked and it was a wonderful trip. The guides were great with the kids. My dd still remembers her guide's name 4 years later.

http://www.arta.org/green-lodore/index.htm

 

[jedijill]

There is some great rafting on Clear Creek which is right outside of Denver. We have a national park that is close too. Rocky Mountain National Park. There is also great rafting near Canon City, CO. I think most of the company's offer 1/2 and full day trips. Lots of stuff to do in Colorado especially with kids in the age range.

HTH

Jill in CO

 

[MichelleinMaine]

There is some great rafting on Clear Creek which is right outside of Denver. We have a national park that is close too. Rocky Mountain National Park. There is also great rafting near Canon City, CO. I think most of the company's offer 1/2 and full day trips. Lots of stuff to do in Colorado especially with kids in the age range.

HTH

Jill in CO

We did not raft, but have to say we had a great family vacation in CO this summer. We were in Colorado Springs most of the time (probably not so much in the rafting dept there!) but also spent a couple days in Estes Park (Rocky Mountain National Park) and then a couple in Denver. Plenty fo do for everyone!

 

[skip323]

We did a great trip a number of years ago On the Nantahala in North Carolina. It really was a great trip. We had high schoolers and maybe one middle schooler with us at that time.

 

[bridget]

I love Colorado. I've done white water rafting by Colorado Springs. There is lots to do in that area.

I also love Estes Park!

 

[PeterBanning]

The options for whitewater rafting in Colorado are as diverse as the state itself. You can find options almost anywhere you go. It largely depends on the scenery you want to look at while you're rafting and the area you want to be in. Rocky Mountain National Park has options on both sides, Grand Lake and Estes Park. Estes Park is very cool but also very touristy. Grand Lake side is far less commercial and just as beautiful. Down in the Colorado Springs area you are close to the Royal Gorge which has some great rafting and impressive scenery. Buena Vista is a great little mountain community with lots of rafting. On my side of the state we have Glenwood Canyon which is spectacular. You also have the hot springs and you're easy day trip to/from Aspen or Vail. If you're more into a desert/canyon/redrock type of experience there are trips from Fruita/Grand Junction going through Ruby Horsethief Canyons along the Colorado River or a multiday trip to Moab.

So my advice, for Colorado anyway, is figure out where in Colorado you might want to go and then find rafting near there. Are there any other types of experiences you want to have? Most any destination you might pick will have rafting close by. There are so many different ways to experience Colorado and they're all great. You really can't lose. Hope that helps.

You might also consider posting under California and the West in the Disneyland section. Lots of people from the western states read those and they are very friendly and helpful.