What to know about Arkansas River rafting near Pueblo this summer

Editors Note: This story was updated May 20 to include information from the Boys & Girls Club of Pueblo.

Conditions are ideal for a great summer rafting season on the Arkansas River this year, and some Pueblo youth will get to experience the cooling summer splash for free on June 5.

"We are expecting a couple hundred kids at least to help us kick off the rafting season June 5 with a free raft trip. The Boys & Girls Clubs in the region are bringing members from Salida, Buena Vista, Alamosa, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Cañon City and even some from Denver," said Bob Hamel, president of the Arkansas River Outfitters Association.

"Some of these kids are lower income, or their families don't raft so I think they will appreciate it. It will be kids in the 8- to 17-year-old age range, so we are excited about doing that as a kickoff," Hamel said.

A total of 10 middle school members from the Pueblo Academy of Arts Clubhouse will attend the rafting excursion. It will be a new experience for them, as it is a brand new clubhouse, and Yenny Espinoza Nino, outdoor equity and education manager.

Previous Boys & Girls Club rafting trip participants from Pueblo gave the activity a positive review.

"I would go rafting again. It was my first time and I had a great experience. It was fun and exhilarating," said Ronnie W.

"Rafting was a fun experience to do last summer, I would definitely do it again," said Olivia C.

This summer's rafting outlook for the Arkansas River

As for what kind of summer rafting season to expect, boaters will not be disappointed.

"It's looking incredible. It will be better than last year, which was a good year," Hamel explained.

Two factors will come into play this summer to help buoy flows on the Arkansas River, both of which have to do with fortuitous late spring snowstorms that have blanketed the high country.

When the snow melts, the water levels on the Arkansas River go up. Rafting outfitters like to see that because it gives their clients an exciting whitewater rafting experience.

Imported water from the Western Slope "is going to be incredible," Hamel said, because of the excellent snowpack in that area. Closer to home, last weekend's snowstorm "boosted snowpack to well over 100% when you look at the Snotel data as it relates to the flow on the Arkansas."

Flows have already been good for this time of year, "because they've been evacuating water out of Twin Lakes and Turquoise to make room for the import water. It's been good rafting flows for a couple of weeks now and we aren't even into the full-tilt runoff season yet," Hamel explained.

Hamel said the soil moisture content also is at a good level this year, which means as the snow melts, more of the runoff will make it to the "main stem" and feed the river instead of being soaked up into the ground.

Best places to go rafting on the Arkansas River near Pueblo

The best sections of the Arkansas River to raft near Pueblo are the Big Horn Sheep Canyon between Howard, just east of Salida, and Parkdale, just west of Cañon City; and the Royal Gorge canyon between Parkdale and Cañon City.

The Big Horn Sheep Canyon is the milder section ideal for beginners and families. The Royal Gorge canyon is wilder and suited to seasoned rafters because the narrowing of canyon walls pushes water into a tighter area and provides plenty of waves.

There are more than 20 local rafting companies that provide commercial trips in the Upper Arkansas River basin, complete with all the safety gear. To find a rafting outfitter, go to arkansasriveroutfitters.org.

https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/ArkansasHeadwatersRecreationArea/Documents/Admin/Publications/AHRABrochureFull.pdf

More summer fun: With peak season approaching at Lake Pueblo, CPW stresses importance of water safety

Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via X, formerly Twitter, at twitter.com/tracywumps. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Here's your 2024 summer guide to Arkansas River rafting near Pueblo