All commercial rafting outfitters operating in Colorado are licensed by the state, and all guides must undergo an extensive training and fulfill requirements set forth by the state. Additionally, all guides are also required to have CPR and first aid certification.

Summit Whitewater was established in 1986. Kevin and Mary Foley are the owners. Prior to Summit Whitewater, Kevin was a manager for a large rafting company from 1981-1985.

We take pride in the guide staff at Summit Whitewater, and our excellent safety record. Our guides are highly skilled professionals with many years of combined experience and are truly some of the best in the business. All guides undergo an extensive training program that meets and exceeds the state's requirements. We have a low guide turnover rate from year to year, resulting in a guide crew with one of the highest average years of experience around. Many of our guides have additional certifications such as swiftwater rescue training and advanced first aid training.

Experience. We are one of the largest and most experienced rafting outfitters in the state. We currently host approximately 16,000 rafting guests per season. Over 300,000 people have taken rafting trips with us since 1986, with enough river miles to circle the earth over 150 times! Our company goal is to provide the highest quality trip available at competitive prices, and we have one of the best safety records in the business. We are active members of several professional trade organizations including the Colorado River Outfitters Association, the Arkansas River Outfitters Association, and America Outdoors, helping to set the highest of standards for rafting outfitters in the state. We have a very high percentage rate of return guests every year who were completely satisfied with their whitewater experience with Summit Whitewater.

In any outdoor adventure activity involving risk and inherent dangers the possibility of injury is always present. We take many precautions to minimize the risk, resulting in very few minor injuries each season. There is a low potential for injury on our mild to moderate trips. The potential for injury increases with a trip's level of difficulty. We give a very informative river orientation/safety talk prior to each trip that familiarizes the guests with some of the potential risks.

We have a wide range of trips suitable for all ages and levels of experience. We have several trips available for takin non swimmers. We also provide mandatory life jackets. The life jackets are designed to keep your head above water in the event that you end up outside of the raft.

Call our office and let our reservation assistants help you determine which trip would be the most appropriate for you or your group.
Consider the following when planning your trip.
-- The age range and ability level of the group.
-- The physical condition of the group members (for the more difficult class trips)
-- The length of the trip: 1/2 day, Full day, Multi-Day What class /level of trip?
Mild - Family adventure
Moderate - Exciting, but not overwhelming
Extreme- Class V adventure

Do you want to participate?
We offer paddle boats where everyone participates, oar boats where the guide solely navigates the raft, or paddle assist which is a combination of the two where the guide rows, and the crew paddles intermittently.

Driving distance to the trip departure office

Departure times and return times

Arkansas river:
The Arkansas River is considered to be one of the best whitewater rafting rivers in the world, offering wide range of exciting rafting - from family adventure trips to extreme whitewater trips.

The Brown's Canyon section offers class 3-4 whitewater amidst spectacular mountain and desert scenery, and is the most popular raft trip in the country.

The Royal Gorge section is a class 4+ section through an 1100' deep Gorge that goes beneath the world's highest suspension bridge. There are other whitewater trips ranging from class II- V available on the Arkansas River, as well as Multi-Day trips.

The season runs from May through early September. We have Arkansas river offices in Buena Vista and Canon City/Royal Gorge.

Blue River: The Blue river 1/2 day trip offers class 3 whitewater through beautiful alpine scenery. The season is from late May through early July ( varies slightly from year to year ). This trip departs from our Frisco office.

Colorado River: Great family trip. Class 1-2 whitewater ,( small rapids ), through Canyon scenery .Season runs May through early Sept.

The age restrictions for the different rivers are based on the degree of difficulty, and are as follows:
(these guidelines can be found on your trip of choice as well. When in doubt, call us!)

Arkansas River:
Mild and Scenic
Class I-II
Recommended minimum age is 4 years old and 30 lbs.

Brown's Canyon:
Moderate
Class III-IV
Recommended minimum age is 7 years old and at least 50 pounds. Exceptions are made when the water levels subside. We may also adjust upward during above average flow rates.

The Narrows
Moderate
Class III-IV
Recommended minimum age is 10 years old

The Numbers
Challenging
Class IV-V
Recommended minimum age is 16

Royal Gorge
Challenging
Class IV - V
Recommended minimum age is 16. The minimum age varies with conditions. We will adjust the ages downward to 14 years old with lower flow rates.

Blue River
Moderate
Class III+
Recommended minimum age is 7 years old and at least 50 lbs.

Colorado River
Easy
Class I - II
Recommended minimum age is 4 years old and 30 lbs.

Check the details of your trip of choice for meeting and departure times. When in doubt, call us!

Yes. We provide the highest quality Coast Guard approved lifejackets available. We require them to be worn at all times while on the river. We have lifejackets to fit almost any size person.

If you are paying attention and listening to your guide, the chances of falling out are fairly remote.

Yes. Each raft has a highly qualified guide on board. Each guide has undergone an extensive training and certification program.The Summit Whitewater, Inc. training program exceeds the requirements set forth by the State of Colorado and the U.S. Gov't.

Wear comfortable, quick drying clothing ( swimsuit, shorts), and protective footgear ( sneakers that you don't mind getting wet ).We also recommend sunglasses, hat, sunscreen and a fleece or capilene on cooler days. We have wetsuits, booties, and whitewater splash jackets available for rent. Dry storage bags are provided for small items, such as sunscreen, and sweaters. We recommend bringing a dry change of clothes for after the trip.

Summit Whitewater has changing rooms at all of our full service conveniently located offices, featuring indoor restrooms, rental departments, retail shops...etc. Our facilities are clean & comfortable and help to make your experience the best that it can be.

We recommend bringing money for any souvenirs, t-shirts, photos of your trip, etc... that you may wish to purchase. If you have an enjoyable trip a guide gratuity is also appropriate.

A delicious buffet style lunch is provided on all full day trips, along with a beverage. You may bring non-alcoholic canned beverages if desired.

Trips are rarely cancelled due to weather. Whitewater splash jackets and wetsuit rentals are available. Temperatures are generally warm at the different river locations.

Our rafting season runs from Late April through mid September. The water levels for rafting are generally great through mid to late August due to a flow program on the Arkansas River that provides a minimum flow for rafting. Peak runoff (high water) is in late May through June, and the water levels gradually subside throughout the course of the summer. The flows will vary from year to year based on snowpack and weather.

We offer the choice of paddle boats (group participation), oar boats (guide solely navigates the raft), and a combination of the two. Recommended minimum paddle age is 12.

Advance reservations are strongly recommended to ensure the trip of your choice. Last minute reservations and walk-ins are welcome on a space available basis.

Group reservations: The office contacts for large group reservations will be Kevin, Maryjo, Ellen, or Julie. If they are not available when you call, the reservationist you are speaking with can assist you. Give us a call for group rates (10 or more people) and special quotes.

We reserve the right to alter your scheduled trip if river conditions prevent us from running certain sections. Minimum ages may vary with changing river conditions.

Yes. A 50 % deposit is required to guarantee space & can be made by phone with a credit card, by sending a check or by stopping by one of our offices.

For a refund, less a $ 5.00/pp cancellation fee, you must notify us 72 hrs prior to your trip (2 weeks for groups of 10 or more). No shows & cancellations within 72 hours of the scheduled trip are non- refundable,unless the vacated spaces can be filled. For groups of 10 or more, any cancellations within 2 weeks are non-refundable, unless the vacated spaces can be filled.

We reserve the right to alter your scheduled trip if river conditions prevent us from running certain sections. Minimum ages may vary with changing river conditions.

Summit Whitewater will provide transportation from the meeting location/office to the river, and back to the office where your vehicle is parked following the trip.

Arkansas River
Full Day trip: Transportation to the Arkansas river office is available from some resort areas for an additional fee. Guests are encouraged to use their own transportation. Directions are clearly outlined on the back of our brochure.

Arkansas River
Half-Day trip: We can arrange transportation for groups to the Arkansas river from some resort areas through a local transportation company for an additional fee ( market rate ).

Blue River
Transport to and from the river is provided from our Frisco office.