
Mild Scenic Family Float on Arkansas River
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 45 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Mild Scenic Family Float on Arkansas River worth booking?
Mild Scenic Family Float on Arkansas River is a 1.5-hour experience in Colorado Springs, United States, from $109 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 45 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (45)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $109 per person
This is by far the best Family Float trip on the Arkansas River! This convenient trip offers the best whitewater for little kids with spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery. Our 1/4 day is a 5 mile trip with easy Class II-II
What you get
About this experience
This is by far the best Family Float trip on the Arkansas River! This convenient trip offers the best whitewater for little kids with spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery. Our 1/4 day is a 5 mile trip with easy Class II-III rapids. This is the perfect introductory trip for families with little kids or timid beginners. You will float from Coaldale to our riverside base in Cotopaxi while enjoying scenic views of the Sangre de Cristo Range. This itinerary is the best trip for rafting in Colorado on the Arkansas River for families with young kids. We are the only outfitter offering this trip since we conveniently finish this trip right at our riverside base!
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Use of Helmet/Life Vest/Splash Jacket/wetsuits
- Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
- Live commentary on board
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Guide Gratuity
What you'll see and do
Once you arrive at our Cotopaxi location you will be greeted and checked in by our friendly office staff, then you will meet your guides, be outfitted into your necessary rafting gear, go through and in depth safety orientation, and then hop on a short shuttle to the river put in
45 minutes here
Arkansas River
Once you arrive at the river put in you will be given specific instructions by your guide and then hit the river for a fun mellow adventure on the river. Scenic views and fun mellow whitewater! Great for Families with young children and seniors.
60 minutes here
Once you finish your fun river trip you will be at our private beach where you started and be able to change into dry clothes and check out your fun action photos from your river trip.
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Colorado Springs
If coming from Canon City drive west on Hwy 50 and we are located on the river just 1 mile west of Cotopaxi. If driving from Salida drive east on Hwy 50 and we are on the river right before you get to the town on Cotopaxi.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
If coming from Canon City drive west on Hwy 50 and we are located on the river just 1 mile west of Cotopaxi. If driving from Salida drive east on Hwy 50 and we are on the river right before you get to the town on Cotopaxi.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Arkansas River Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Recommended dress code is no cotton. Anything synthetic such as swimwear, workout gear, and sandals/sneakers with a heel. No flip flops for crocks!
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 45 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
45 verified traveler reviews for Mild Scenic Family Float on Arkansas River. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great experience with Arkansa River Tours
The ART team was just awesome. Isaiah and Cruz were just great. Very attentive and knowlegeable about the river conditions and how to navigate the outcrops, especially with a low water level in the river.
via Viator
Excellent river trip!
We had an amazing experience with Arkansas River Tours! The guides were incredibly friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable, making everyone feel comfortable from the moment we arrived. They shared interesting information throughout the trip and made the entire adventure both fun and safe. Their professionalism and positive attitudes made our experience even more enjoyable. We would absolutely recommend Arkansas River Tours to anyone looking for a memorable rafting adventure and can't wait to come back!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you had such an amazing experience with Arkansas River Tours. Our guides are passionate about creating fun, safe, and memorable adventures, so it's great to know their friendliness, knowledge, and positive attitudes made such a lasting impression. We truly appreciate your recommendation and can't wait to welcome you back for another adventure near the Royal Gorge as you're always welcome here.
via Tripadvisor
Well Worth the Drive
We had a wonderful, calm river rafting trip that was perfect for us two seniors. The water was gentle, the scenery was beautiful, and Allie, our guide, was patient, knowledgeable, and very safety-focused. It was relaxing, enjoyable, and a great way to spend time together outdoors. We would happily do it again and recommend it to families looking for a peaceful adventure.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your kind review! We're so glad you enjoyed a peaceful day on the river and that Allie helped make the experience relaxing, safe, and memorable. We appreciate your recommendation and would love to welcome you back for another whitewater rafting adventure together! Please come see us again soon at Arkansas River Tours near Canon City and the Royal Gorge.
via Tripadvisor
You can't go wrong with this company!
Enegetic, knowledgeable staff. Exceptional backoffice support. Perfect whitewater rafting excursion. We had a blast!
via Viator
Katharine was awesome!!
The staff was super friendly and helpful. Out guide Katharine was very funny, knowledgeable and caring
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 16
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Mild Scenic Family Float on Arkansas River: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Colorado Springs.
How much does Mild Scenic Family Float on Arkansas River cost?
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Prices start at $109 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Colorado Springs usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Mild Scenic Family Float on Arkansas River take?
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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Colorado Springs is not rushed.
Is Mild Scenic Family Float on Arkansas River worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 45 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Colorado Springs, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Mild Scenic Family Float on Arkansas River?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Mild Scenic Family Float on Arkansas River suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Mild Scenic Family Float on Arkansas River?
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Around 16 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Colorado Springs can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Colorado Springs and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Mild Scenic Family Float on Arkansas River start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Colorado Springs within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Colorado Springs?
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Colorado Springs runs Pikes Peak cog railway and jeep tours, Garden of the Gods drives and climbs, Manitou Springs walks, zip lines and Royal Gorge day trips. On Outty we rank every Colorado Springs experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Pikes Peak Jeep Tour, Classic Food Tour in Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Jeep Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Colorado Springs?
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May to September, with cog railway seats selling out in July and August. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Colorado Springs?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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