Royal Gorge

America Outdoors outfitters offer whitewater rafting adventures on the Arkansas River in the popular Royal Gorge.  Kayaking, fishing, hiking, camping and mountain biking are also provided by the outfitters.

The Arkansas River, which fittingly flows through the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, offers many miles of thrilling white water rafting which attract river enthusiasts from all over the world. The Arkansas River drops 5,000 feet in its first 125 miles from its headwaters in the Colorado Rockies near the Continental Divide to the plains near Cañon City, Colorado. Steep rocky gradient makes for excellent white water rafting and the mountainous scenery contains some fascinating geology. This part of the Arkansas River as it flows through Buena Vista and Salida is America's most popular white water river. The Arkansas River will host close to half a million boaters annually.

The popular Royal Gorge is known for its big and powerful drops. Sheer walls, over 1000 feet high, channel the river into narrow, powerful rapids where the views are awe inspiring-if you have the time to look!