Rafting The Royal Gorge
With Buffalo Joe's River Rafting.

Add some real excitement and adventure to your Colorado vacation with incredible Colorado white water rafting led by the expert guides at Buffalo Joe's River Rafting. The fun and adrenalin begins at the Royal Gorge section of the Arkansas River near Canon City, Colorado about a 1 and 1/4 hour drive from Colorado Springs south on Highway 15.

Buffalo Joe's features rafting trips for all ages and skill levels with half-day, full-day and up to six-day rafting tours through Class II to V rapids depending upon the skill level and vacation excitement that stimulates the senses. Whether you are a seasoned rafting expert, a raw rafting rookie or even a non-swimmer, Buffalo Joe's has a guided rafting option for singles, couples, families and groups. Class II and III rapids are best for family trips and Class IV and V rapids are higher adventure for the more daring.

River Rafting Experience & Safety.

The owners of Buffalo Joe's, Jahvea and Coby Vidakovich offer a combined 30 years and over 35,000 miles of river rafting experience and run one of the oldest rafting tour companies in Colorado. They and their rafting guides have the skill and knowledge to match you, your family or group with the ideal whitewater experience. Buffalo Joe's was established in 1978 and since its inception, has never had a major accident. That's an incredible safety record which demonstrates their commitment to both safety and rafting fun.

Buffalo Joe's is a member of several related trade organizations including the Colorado River Outfitters Association and the Arkansas River Outfitters Association. Its river guides have completed guide training programs that exceed the requirements set by the State of Colorado and the associations.

Royal Gorge Half-Day Rafting.

Buffalo Joe's half-day whitewater rafting explores the 1100 foot deep Royal Gorge Canyon over a course of 10 miles through Class III to Class IV rapids including Sledgehammer, Sunshine, Grateful Dead, and the Narrows. It is highly recommended that rafters be in good physical condition and must have previous experience riding Class III whitewater rapids. The minimum recommended age is 14 years old. Tour departures are scheduled at 8:45 AM, 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM. Meals are not served on half day trips, so be prepared accordingly.

Royal Gorge Double Dip Rafting Trip.

The same features and conditions of the half-day trip apply. Get two rafting trips at Royal Gorge in the same day. Ride the rapids in the morning and do it again in the afternoon. This trip includes Buffalo Joe's Steak Dinner in between trips.

Royal Gorge Super Deluxe Rafting Option.

This is the most challenging of the Arkansas river rafting trips through Royal Gorge through 20 miles that includes 21 Class III to Class V rapids. The trip begins at Bighorn Sheep Canyon through an 11 mile section of Class III rapids that will prepare you for Class IV and V rapids of the Royal Gorge that follows after a Steak Dinner. Be sure to bring your camera to snap the spectacular views and the bighorn sheep that frequent the canyon walls. Good physical condition, the ability to swim and a minimum age of 14 is highly recommended.

Milder Rapids For Kids and The Inexperienced.

Buffalo Joe's also features rafting trips on the more gentle Class II and III rapids with both half-day and full-day trips running through Bighorn Sheep Canyon. These are the perfect rafting trips for families with younger children. Steak Dinner is only served on the full-day rafting options.

Discount Programs.

Singles, couples and groups of 7 or less are not discounted. Special group rates begin at 8 quests and the group organizer rides free with scheduled groups of 10.

Location of Buffalo Joe's at Royal Gorge.

Buffalo Joe's River Rafting is located at the Fort Gorge RV Park and campground about 7 miles west of Canon City on US Highway 50. Find us about 1/4 mile east of the Royal Gorge Turnoff on the southside of Highway 50. Follow the signs. Buffalo Joe's also has an office and separate rafting trips at Buena Vista Colorado. For questions and more information about Royal Gorge rafting or rafting in the Buena Vista area, call 1-800-356-7984.

Reservations can be made online at https://www.buffalojoe.com/contact/.

How To Dress For Rafting.

Buffalo Joe's rents wetsuits, booties and splash jackets. The guides carry a dry storage bag that can hold sunscreen or sweater. Bring quick drying clothing or swimsuit (no cotton items). Also an old pair of sneakers, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, fleece long sleeve shirt and a dry change of clothes for after the rafting trip. If you plan on staying at a hotel or motel in the area, bring other items that you may need for additional area sightseeing.

Directions From Colorado Springs.

Plan on a drive time of about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Take Highway 115 south from the Nevada Avenue Exit 140B off Interstate 25, turning right onto the Highway 50 west exit which is also the Canon City exit.

Directions From Denver.

Plan on a drive time of about 2 and 1/4 to 2 and 3/4 hours. Take Interstate 25 south from Denver to Colorado Springs. Then follow the directions from Colorado Springs.

Directions From Breckenridge.

Drive time is about 2 hours. Take Highway 9 south to Fairplay. Continue south on Hwy 9 to Hartsel. Continue South on Hwy 9 towards Canon City to the Hwy 9/US Highway 50 junction. Turn left and take Hwy 50 east to Canon City.

Directions From Vail Colorado.

Drive time is about 3 hours. Take I-70 east to the Copper Mountain/Leadville exit, which is Hwy 91. Take Hwy 91 to Leadville (where Hwy 91 becomes Hwy 24 east), then take 24 east to Buena Vista. Just 2 miles south of Buena Vista, take a left onto Hwy 24 east and 285 north and continue on 24 east to Hartsel. Turn right onto Hwy 9 south and go to Hwy 50. Take Hwy 50 east to Canon City.

Directions From Buena Vista.

Drive time is about 1 and 1/2 hour. Take Highway 24 west to Hartsel, then to Hwy 9 south. Continue on Hwy 9 south to Hwy 50 east. Take Hwy 50 east to Canon City.

For more information.

Buffalo Joe's Website
P.O. Box 921
Buena Vista Co, 81211
1-866-BUFF-JOE (1-866-283-3563)
719-395-8757

Helpful Connections.

Colorado Springs Hotels
Canon City Hotels
Canon City Colorado

*Schedule times and options subject to change without prior notice.
Photos compliments of Buffalo Joe's.

Visitors often use misspellings and abbreviations including CO Springs, Colo Sp,
Colarado, Calorado and Colorada. We've used those terms for user convenience.