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Experience Colorado’s wild side with a day spent rafting Class III rapids through Bighorn Sheep Canyon followed by a zip line tour across the Royal Gorge plateau. This dual adventure offers adrenaline, scenic views, and a chance to connect with nature’s relentless energy.
Experience Colorado’s wild side with a day spent rafting Class III rapids through Bighorn Sheep Canyon followed by a zip line tour across the Royal Gorge plateau. This dual adventure offers adrenaline, scenic views, and a chance to connect with nature’s relentless energy.
The morning sun catches the ripples on the Arkansas River as you push off the bank for a rafting run unlike any other. Bighorn Sheep Canyon asserts itself immediately—rock walls rising steeply on either side, the water daring you forward with a pulse of whitewater and calm eddies. This stretch of river weaves through a landscape carved over millennia, its currents honed by ancient geology that strips bare layers of sedimentary rock and reveals a rugged, raw Colorado.
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Operated by Royal Gorge Rafting Zip Line Tours · Canon City, Colorado
The morning sun catches the ripples on the Arkansas River as you push off the bank for a rafting run unlike any other. Bighorn Sheep Canyon asserts itself immediately—rock walls rising steeply on either side, the water daring you forward with a pulse of whitewater and calm eddies. This stretch of river weaves through a landscape carved over millennia, its currents honed by ancient geology that strips bare layers of sedimentary rock and reveals a rugged, raw Colorado.
Your raft negotiates the flow, racing through Class III rapids like Wake Up and Sharks Tooth, the water slapping your paddle and soaking your spirit in equal measure. Between rapids, the river flattens, easing your pace among quaking aspen groves and piñon pines, while bighorn sheep graze along the cliffs, occasionally meeting your gaze as wild residents of this canyon home.
After lunch in a shaded riverside spot, the afternoon brings a different kind of adrenaline on the Royal Gorge plateau. Here, the landscape stretches wide—rolling hills dusted with sagebrush and punctuated by towering pines. Nine zip lines thread over 100 acres, sending you soaring high above valleys and prairie, each landing pushing your pulse faster. The final dual race line invites a partner with you, racing side by side across a steel cable where the wind pulls your body like a bird on the breeze.
This two-part adventure blends water’s restless energy with air’s swift invitation, an opportunity to measure yourself against Colorado’s wild heart. The canyon’s story runs deeper: the Arkansas River shaped ancient trade routes and modern rafting paths alike, while the Royal Gorge’s commanding views hint at centuries of native legends and early settlers navigating this challenging terrain.
Practical details matter here. The trip lasts roughly seven hours, beginning 8 miles west of Canon City along Highway 50. Expect moderate physical demands—paddling strength and zip line readiness are prerequisites, with a minimum age of eight years old. Dress in layers; Colorado’s weather swings quickly, and rain or shine, this tour presses on. Hydrate before and after, and secure footwear that grips and drains well, as wet shoes are a guarantee.
Equipment and guidance come from experienced instructors, ensuring safety and maximizing thrills. Whether it’s your first paddle or tenth zip line, this combo unlocks a multi-sensory passage through some of Colorado’s most dynamic terrain. Expect to return tired, exhilarated, and profoundly connected to a landscape that refuses to be taken lightly.
Participants must be at least 8 years old to join this combined rafting and zip line tour.
No prior paddling experience is needed; guides provide instruction and assist throughout the rafting portion.
The tour operates rain or shine, but cancellations for severe weather are possible; dress appropriately for conditions.
Both the rafting and zip lining activities begin and end at a base located 8 miles west of Canon City, adjacent to the helicopter pad.
Yes, a lunch break is part of the itinerary, served riverside during the rafting half of the trip.
Waterproof cases are recommended; you will have opportunities to capture views, but hands-free options are best during zip lining.
Royal Gorge Rafting Zip Line Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The morning sun catches the ripples on the Arkansas River as you push off the bank for a rafting run unlike any other. Bighorn Sheep Canyon asserts itself immediately—rock walls rising steeply on either side, the water daring you forward with a pulse of whitewater and calm eddies. This stretch of river weaves through a landscape carved over millennia, its currents honed by ancient geology that strips bare layers of sedimentary rock and reveals a rugged, raw Colorado.
The morning sun catches the ripples on the Arkansas River as you push off the bank for a rafting run unlike any other. Bighorn Sheep Canyon asserts itself immediately—rock walls rising steeply on either side, the water daring you forward with a pulse of whitewater and calm eddies. This stretch of river weaves through a landscape carved over millennia, its currents honed by ancient geology that strips bare layers of sedimentary rock and reveals a rugged, raw Colorado.
Your raft negotiates the flow, racing through Class III rapids like Wake Up and Sharks Tooth, the water slapping your paddle and soaking your spirit in equal measure. Between rapids, the river flattens, easing your pace among quaking aspen groves and piñon pines, while bighorn sheep graze along the cliffs, occasionally meeting your gaze as wild residents of this canyon home.
After lunch in a shaded riverside spot, the afternoon brings a different kind of adrenaline on the Royal Gorge plateau. Here, the landscape stretches wide—rolling hills dusted with sagebrush and punctuated by towering pines. Nine zip lines thread over 100 acres, sending you soaring high above valleys and prairie, each landing pushing your pulse faster. The final dual race line invites a partner with you, racing side by side across a steel cable where the wind pulls your body like a bird on the breeze.
This two-part adventure blends water’s restless energy with air’s swift invitation, an opportunity to measure yourself against Colorado’s wild heart. The canyon’s story runs deeper: the Arkansas River shaped ancient trade routes and modern rafting paths alike, while the Royal Gorge’s commanding views hint at centuries of native legends and early settlers navigating this challenging terrain.
Practical details matter here. The trip lasts roughly seven hours, beginning 8 miles west of Canon City along Highway 50. Expect moderate physical demands—paddling strength and zip line readiness are prerequisites, with a minimum age of eight years old. Dress in layers; Colorado’s weather swings quickly, and rain or shine, this tour presses on. Hydrate before and after, and secure footwear that grips and drains well, as wet shoes are a guarantee.
Equipment and guidance come from experienced instructors, ensuring safety and maximizing thrills. Whether it’s your first paddle or tenth zip line, this combo unlocks a multi-sensory passage through some of Colorado’s most dynamic terrain. Expect to return tired, exhilarated, and profoundly connected to a landscape that refuses to be taken lightly.