What Is Arkansas River Tours?
Updated
Arkansas River Tours is a Colorado whitewater rafting and fly fishing outfitter that has operated since 1973 and reports more than 325,000 guests served. It runs rafting trips on the Arkansas River and Clear Creek, with two outposts — one in Cañon City and one in Cotopaxi — serving guests coming from the Denver and Colorado Springs areas.
What the Company Offers
The site positions the company around guided whitewater rafting in Colorado, alongside fly fishing trips. Its two named locations give a sense of how trips are organized geographically:
| Outpost | River access noted on site |
|---|---|
| Cañon City Outpost | Arkansas River and Clear Creek trips |
| Cotopaxi Outpost | Arkansas River trips |
The homepage headline is "The Best Whitewater Rafting in Colorado," and the trust line reads "Trusted by 325K+ GUESTS — Setting the standard since 1973." That date is the clearest signal of the company's age and scale; the guest count is the operator's own figure.
Who It's For
This is a fit for travelers who want an established, guided rafting operator rather than a self-guided river experience. The site also publishes family-oriented content, such as a post on "4 Best Family Getaways in Colorado for All Ages," which suggests trips are marketed to mixed-age groups and vacation planners, not only experienced paddlers.
If you are deciding between operators, the useful comparison points are the specific river section and trip class you want, which outpost is closer to where you're staying, and whether you want rafting only or a combined fly fishing outing. The site does not list prices or booking terms in the material available here, so confirm current rates, season dates, and age or skill requirements directly with the company before committing.
Practical Next Step
Start from the outpost that matches your travel base — Cañon City or Cotopaxi — then check which river (Arkansas River or Clear Creek) that location runs on your dates. Because pricing and availability are not published in the source material, treat any cost estimate as unconfirmed until the operator responds.