Canon City Family Float Trip Review: What to Expect
Planning a family trip can, too, feel like herding cats sometimes, but Colorado has so many things to offer that are fun, different, yet pretty memorable. Is that Arkansas River calling your name? A family float trip down the Arkansas River near Canon City, Colorado, complete with lunch, pictures, and optional wetsuits, could be just the ticket for your next great outdoors outing. Is that going to be relaxing or super soaked? Here’s my breakdown, based on firsthand experience, to give you the real lowdown.
First Impressions and Getting Prepared
Show up and, okay, there’s that buzz of excitement and maybe a touch of nervousness that comes before trying anything new. The outfitter shops that provide this excursion tend to be buzzing. Checking in felt pretty quick and easy. Next thing is that they go through what gear you might or might not have. Is that helmet comfortable? Wetsuit tight? What do you need to store where, safely? Now, for folks who aren’t used to being on the river, putting on a wetsuit can feel slightly awkward and potentially snug in places you were never expecting. It turns out, too, that having a well-fitting wetsuit actually makes a pretty big difference when you’re spending several hours on the water, particularly on a chilly day or when that river is running super cold! Those river experts will show you how to make sure that you, too, are going to be comfortable for the duration of the float. They covered some ground rules too about safety, what to expect as far as the rapids go, what we will and will not do. Those guides are there to give you the best time!
On the River: Scenery, Rapids, and the Overall Experience
Wow! This part is where the fun kicks in! Drifting down that Arkansas River gives you an up-close peek at some really striking Colorado scenery. The towering rock formations and canyon walls are something different. You might be trying to snap pictures, or maybe soak in all that visual overload; either way it really is picturesque. When it comes to the rapids on the family float trip, so they were mild. More like gently exciting rather than white-knuckle scary, which means it’s a good way to introduce younger kids (and maybe the slightly anxious adults!) to that thrill of that river without totally overwhelming them. Anyway, as far as things go, teamwork is key here. With everyone paddling together, or maybe doing their best to paddle together anyway, can add a unique sort of bonding thing. It felt pretty cool to work together as a family, with other groups on the river, trying to keep us straight. Those guides usually make sure there’s good chat along the way too. They’ll point out some interesting spots, talk about all that local history and geography, tell you a few stories; a really great crew can really dial up the entertainment in addition to handling their responsibilities to make sure we are doing great!
Lunch on the Banks: Fueling Up the Fun
Around that midpoint, you might be landing on a bank for lunch and so, it’s that time to refuel and recharge. The lunch setup tends to be simple picnic fare; sandwiches, fruit, maybe a cookie, and enough juice or water to stay hydrated. You know, the grub isn’t fancy gourmet eating or something, but really, it totally hits the spot when you’ve been working those arm muscles. That time spent resting gives everybody an opportunity to stretch out, relax a bit, take in even more of that amazing scenery at a slower pace. It may give you that feeling of real contentment! Just be ready for potentially uneven ground, and remember to pack any personal snacks that you might feel necessary; nobody wants a hangry kid when you still have half the river to get through!
Photo Opportunities (and Wetsuit Considerations)
Most of these outfitters actually promote that they will be capturing the photos from different parts along that river and so you will have the opportunity to purchase photos of your crew navigating through the experience. Depending on that particular package, there might be some options on how to receive these photos. Given the focus on getting images, you might consider what sort of gear that is conducive. Of course that GoPro will allow you to take some of your very own videos if you, too, are interested. Is that worth the extra cost of a wetsuit? Depends! So, if you’re going on a really sunny day and don’t mind maybe getting splashed a bit, it may not be strictly needed. You may get colder than expected and those wetsuits can really impact the ability to move about, sit, get into a raft and out of a raft for older visitors with different physicalities. Those wetsuits can be super invaluable if it’s a little cold and are certainly more important in those early season, or even those late season excursions when water temperatures dip down. A lot of it could be down to personal choice, tolerance for cold and weather!
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
To sum things up, if you, like your family, have that urge to want to check out Colorado’s gorgeous countryside, and need to spend that quality time together without crazy tech, consider the family float! So, while those ‘mild’ rapids and spectacular scenery might be something that can be really awesome, there might be times to carefully consider a more rugged excursion. As always, be aware of what capabilities of your family may or may not have, pack what you’ll think you might need, and get prepared to unplug from all that noise and be present as possible!
- Mild Rapids: Very beginner-friendly! Good for almost every age!
- Spectacular Scenery: Views and that Colorado light are absolutely unforgettable.
- Family Bonding: Getting in that boat together makes a better group!
- Lunch Included: Simple, satisfying, but pack more if required!
- Photo Opportunities: Buy ’em! They really are the best proof it happened!
- Wetsuit Decision: A must if you don’t want to be chilled, though it can restrict older members of the family in some respects.