How to Go Rafting in Colorado's Glenwood Canyon

Feel the rush of whitewater rafting on the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. It's an experience that lasts a lifetime.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cash, check or credit card to rent a raft or schedule a guided trip
• Your own raft or inflatable kayak, or
• A friend with a raft

1. From April through October, Glenwood Canyon in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, is home to exciting–and often times challenging–Class III-IV whitewater rafting. The changing rapids through the Shoshone stretch of the Colorado River in the spring and early summer make for a good time on the water. From Grizzly Creek on down the river, families can float through Glenwood Canyon with ease, taking plenty of scenic photographs along the way.

2. With guided tours, all levels of skill can be accommodated and gear can be rented depending how cold the water is. For hourly or 1/2-day guided tours, call the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association at 1-888-4-GLENWOOD and visit the chamber Web site, or call rafting companies directly at:
   
   Blue Sky Adventures
   970-945-6605
   
   Glenwood Canyon Rafting, Inc.
   970-384-0445
   
   Rock Gardens Rafting
   970-945-6737
   
   Up Tha Creek Expeditions, Inc.
   970-947-0030
   
   Whitewater Rafting
   970-945-8477

3. For rafters with their own boats, put in at Shoshone for bigger rapids, running a shuttle to Grizzly Creek to do laps. Or, for a chill float, start out at Grizzly Creek and float down to Two Rivers Park in West Glenwood for grilling out later in the park.

4. In the late summer months, when Glenwood heats up, try tubing on the Colorado River for a real-life whitewater ride. Don't forget the beer.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear a personal flotation device (PFD), aka life jacket, on the Colorado River.
• If the water's not too cold, wear river sandals, preferrably those with straps instead of Velcro (I prefer Chacos).
• Wetsuit booties are also an option to keep feet mostly warm and dry.
• Bring a disposable waterproof camera instead of expensive equipment.
• A waterproof jacket is also nice to have in a dry bag in case of rain.
• Watch those sunglasses. They're a common sacrifice to the river gods.
• Pay attention during the safety talk before a raft trip in case you swim.
• Wear plenty of sunscreen.

Resources

• Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association
• Glenwood Springs Post Independent
• Colorado Travel and Tourism

[broandsisinlaw]

on 10/29/2007 Sounds fabulous, I'd love to be able to go, at least one time! /Lori