The Arkansas River's Lower Bighorn Sheep Canyon is located downstream of the more popular Browns Canyon.
The white water rapids in Bighorn Sheep Canyon are often compared to Browns Canyon in difficulty. During higher water the waves can be somewhat larger but the white water is usually somewhat less challenging than the white water encountered further upstream on the Arkansas.
The Lower Bighorn Sheep Canyon of the Arkansas River has a highway on one side and railroad tracks on the other, so we don't get a lot of requests from individuals for this section. We only offer this option to groups of 10 people or more that are looking for a new stretch of great white water and that aren't concerned about being on a more remote section of the Arkansas.
Tour Itinerary:
8:45 am: We meet at the Parkdale Recreation Site, which is the ending point for our full day adventure through the Bighorn Sheep Canyon. There are parking, changing, and restroom facilities at the site. Due to the distance from our headquarters and timing of this trip, we are not able to provide the complementary continental breakfast that guests coming to our headquarters in Buena Vista have come to expect. Plan ahead for breakfast so you have plenty of energy for the morning!
9:30 am: Once you are suited up, you will be whisked to the river for your full-day adventure. At the “Put-in”, your trip leader will give you a comprehensive orientation and safety talk with plenty of time for questions. You will have the confidence needed to handle anything that comes up during the trip.
10:30 am: The morning portion of the trip features fun rapids like Gosh Awful, Texas Creek and Maytag. These rapids feature big, splashy waves and are very forgiving for beginning rafters. The morning is milder than the afternoon, giving us time to warm up for the big stuff. The vegetation in this section is influenced by dry, high desert conditions. Cholla and prickly pear cactus dot the rocky hillsides.
12:00 pm: A well-deserved lunch break at a shady cottonwood tree covered bench gives you time to dry out and stretch your legs while soaking in the sweeping canyon views. Enjoy some tasty hors d’oeuvres while the guides prepare a hearty, deli-style lunch.
1:00 pm: The afternoon is packed with class III-IV rapids similar to those in Brown’s Canyon. Some of the highlights are Three Rocks, Spike Buck, Shark’s Tooth and Double Dip. The water here is warmer than in Brown’s canyon and has a higher volume creating bigger splashes and a thrilling ride. In June, when the river is swollen with snowmelt, prepare for a wet and wild ride with towering waves and powerful currents – a wetsuit is a must for rafting at this time of year. During July and August, the river changes, requiring technical maneuvers around rocks and dropping through narrow chutes. As the river warms, wetsuits disappear and are replaced by swimsuits, providing opportunities to splash fight with new friends or even swim a rapid!
3:30 pm: We will arrive at the Parkdale Recreation in mid-afternoon where you can change out of your river clothes and enjoy a cold drink. Your car will be parked here, so no bus ride back to the headquarters is needed. It’s time to say good-bye to new found friends and reflect on this rapid-filled trip. You may also choose to remember your trip with a T-shirt, hat or pair of shorts. There is no better way to spend a day!
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Adult Price - $77.00;
Child Price (4 - 12) - $64.00.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Arkansas
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
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