Bighorn Sheep Canyon - Full Day Group Tour

Guided

Duration: 9 hours

Buena Vista • Nathrop • Salida

Features

Private

Beginner Friendly

Kid Friendly

Locally Owned

Instant Book

Shuttle Included

$150 Adult

(Ages 13+)

$131 Child

(Ages 10-12)

Description

Bighorn Sheep Canyon - Private Full-Day Rafting Trip for Groups of 10+

This private group adventure allows you to paddle through the stunning scenery of Bighorn Sheep Canyon, where towering rock formations and rugged cliffs create an unforgettable backdrop. Here, the canyon walls open to beautiful views of Colorado's Sangre de Cristo Mountains, rising to over 14,000 feet. Get ready for 23 river miles of stunning views and exciting whitewater!

With Class II-III whitewater, the trip begins with a gentle start to warm up before moving into more challenging whitewater, tackling rapids like Five Points, Spikebuck, Sharks Tooth. Between rapids, stop to swim, take photos, and keep an eye out for the canyon’s namesake bighorn sheep, often spotted grazing on the rocky slopes. This full day trip travels 23 miles on the river, stopping for lunch midway. It's the perfect introduction to whitewater rafting, but with enough excitement to keep the more experienced rafters in your group on their toes!

With a group minimum of 10 guests, this is the perfect Colorado rafting trip for scout groups, families, bachelor or bachelorette parties, and anyone traveling with a big group!

Duration

9 hours in total

Location / Where to Meet

17921 U.S. Hwy 285

Nathrop, CO, 81236

Our location is easily accessible from Buena Vista and Salida, making it an easy and exciting addition to any Colorado vacation.

Ages & Requirements

Ages 10+ May, July, August and September
Ages 13+ in June (high water)
Minimum weight 45 lbs

A minimum of 10 guests is required to book this private tour. If you have a smaller group, consider these trips:

What's Included

Riverside lunch
All equipment and gear included
Shuttle to and from the river

Not Included

Photos
Wetsuits
Neoprene booties

Gratuity

What to Bring

Splash jackets/pants are provided (or you can bring your own)
Nylon shorts and non-cotton shirt or poly propylene top (fleece top)
Light water resistant jacket
Pair of tennis shoes – tie-on preferred (NO sandals) or wet boots
Wool socks will help keep feet warm in tennis shoes
Sun glasses with loss protector/keeper, with UV protection
Sunscreen (you'll be at over 8000′ altitude – lots of UV exposure)
Hat for sun protection (tie-on)
Personal water bottle that can be secured (with a clip)

Podcast

About the Outfitter

Bill and Jaci Dvorak have been outdoor educators together since their marriage in 1969. They have taught in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and England, where they have worked for several outdoor leadership courses, such as NOLS and Outward Bound. Proud to be a family-run outfitting business, Dvorak Expeditions offers rafting and custom fishing trips, instructional courses for youth organizations, and certified rescue swift water and rope training. Their world-renowned adventures have been featured in ESPN, National Geographic, the Chicago Tribune, travel books, Backpacker Magazine, Outside, television specials, local publications, and chambers of commerce.

ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY Dvorak Expeditions

FAQs

When does Bighorn Sheep Canyon run?

Great question! Check out our guide to the seasonality of Colorado rivers for an overview of when rivers are running, difficulty, locations, and more.

Is there a minimum number of guests required?

A minimum of 10 guests is required to book this tour. If you have a smaller group, consider these trips:

Are there photos available?

Yes, there will be photos available for purchase through our photo partner, Whitewater Photography, after the trip.

What if I cannot swim?

Many of our guests cannot swim. We supply the best Type 5 U.S. Coast guard PFDs (personal flotation devices) which keep you bouncing above the waves if you should for some reason fall out of your boat.

Is the river trip all whitewater?

No, whitewater rapids are encountered as the river descends or twists between stretches of calm water. On many rivers, the extent of flatwater versus rapids depends on the gradient of the river. Also, depending on the time of year and snowpack run-off each season, water flow and the size of a river’s rapids will be lower or higher.

Do I have to paddle?

You have a choice. We offer paddle boat crews where four to seven people join a guide and paddle down the river. Alternately, you may enjoy the ride as a passenger!

Do I have to fill a raft?

Whether you come alone or bring 25 friends, we can accommodate you on a trip. We are limited to maximum group sizes on some rivers, but on many others there is no issue with a larger party.

Is this trip appropriate for first timers?

We take first-time rafters down our rivers all the time! This trip is a great option for first timers, and a thorough safety orientation is always provided before you embark on your trip.

What happens if there is an emergency on the river?

We have long-standing relationships with medical support teams serving our rivers and fortunately, rarely have had to rely on them. Our staff is professionals with trip leaders qualified EMTs, and all staff has first aid and CPR certifications. DVK requires all guides to be certified Swiftwater Rescue Technicians.

What safety training do your guides receive?

We have long-standing relationships with medical support teams serving our rivers and fortunately, rarely have had to rely on them. Please call us for specific information about the local facilities for your river trip. Our staff is professionals with trip leaders qualified EMTs, and all staff has first aid and CPR certifications. DVK requires all guides to be certified Swiftwater Rescue Technicians.

What if the weather is bad?

Mother Nature is still in control out West, so please realize that we cannot control her weather patterns or the water flows. But we can recommend all things to make your trip a well-prepared and comfortable experience regardless of the changes that may occur. We reserve the right to change river sections, move to adjacent rivers, or postpone the trip if water levels, weather conditions, or circumstances arise beyond our control. The client's river skills and abilities can also determine whether a particular river or trip is substituted.

Cancellation Policy

When a cancellation is made more than 48 hours before departure, all monies are refunded LESS a $25 per person fee. A reschedule fee of $20 per reservation may apply. With less than two days’ notice, no money will be refunded.

Our cancellation policy is firm. We operate under stringent federal regulations, restricting the number of guests per trip and the number of trips per season. We incur substantial expenses before each trip departs. In the event of late cancellation, Dvorak Expeditions cannot recover costs, nor can we make refunds. *ALL CANCELLATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED IN WRITING or EMAIL.*