Colorado River

Expedia Viewfinder teamed up with Colorado Rafting to showcase the hottest reasons to visit the river this summer.

It’s summertime, and the Colorado River is calling. Its cool, refreshing water is the perfect temperature for making a splash, while its rugged mountain landscape provides an epic backdrop for an outdoorsy retreat. Whether you’re looking to get your adrenaline pumping or simply to recharge outside of the city, the Colorado River is the place for a weekend summer romp.

Here at Expedia Viewfinder we know sometimes it’s tricky to drop everything and commit to a getaway in nature, so that’s why we partnered up with Colorado Rafting. Together we’ve provided the best reasons for spending a weekend on the Colorado River, from tapping into your adventurous side to getting in touch with nature. With whitewater rafting excursions, floating trips, and fly fishing outings, there’s no excuse for not hightailing it to the Colorado River this weekend.

Colorado River

Adventure

Grab a paddle and hold on tight—it’s going to be a bumpy ride! As your raft snakes down the river and water splashes your face, your heart will pound with excitement. Whitewater rafting is a widely popular activity on the Colorado River, as it offers excursions for every kind of thrill seeker, regardless of skill level. The Class III Shoshone Rapids rush along Glenwood Canyon located in the scenic Glenwood Springs, as the Class IV and V rapids at Gore Canyon entice the brave, more extreme rafters. From tiny ripples for beginners to rushing whitewater for the experts, this river serves up a variety of adventure.

Relaxation

Who says adventures have to include high-speed adrenaline rushes? Forget about roaring rapids, and instead kickback and meander through calm and gentle waters. A float trip down the Colorado River is the prime excuse to indulge in some much-deserved R&R, while still receiving a dose of excitement. Soak up that Centennial State sun, take a refreshing dip in the water, and stay on the lookout for glimpses of wildlife. Choose from half- and full-day trips or go all out with an overnight journey.

Colorado River

Peace and Quiet

A float trip is great for some relaxation, but a fly fishing retreat will really put you in the zone. Whether it’s the thrill of the catch or the peaceful flow of water, there’s something about wading knee-deep in the river and casting with a fly rod that connects a fisherman with nature. Fly fishing in the Colorado River provides the ultimate reason to spend a weekend along the shores, as the water is teeming with cutthroat, carp, brook trout, and countless other fish species. Drop a line in the Upper Colorado, in areas such as Byers Canyon and Sunset Access, or mosey down to the Lower Colorado, and bait fish around Grand Junction.

Make this the weekend for a river retreat. Give in to whatever drives you to venture out on the Colorado River—the promise of adventure, the lure of relaxation, or the excitement of a big catch.

Written by Chloe Mulliner

Alison Mathes
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