2026 Royal Gorge Adventure

Join Show-Me Women Paddlers for an unforgettable whitewater adventure through Colorado’s iconic Royal Gorge! This trip is designed for women who want to build skills, confidence, and connection while tackling challenges not typically found in the Ozarks 🚣‍♀️🌄

This trip is appropriate for adventurous beginners and intermediate paddlers. No prior rafting experience is required. Participants should be comfortable in moving water, preferably able to swim (though the company has kayakers to help non-swimmers!), and prepared for a physically active day on the river.

Women, including trans women, and femme-aligned non-binary individuals who support the organization’s mission and community values are welcome on this trip.  Gender identity will not be considered in rooming assignments. 

Friday, September 26:

Depart Springfield, MO around 7:00 AM for the drive to Pueblo, CO.  We'll be staying at the Extended Stay America at 6020 N. Elizabeth St, Pueblo, CO (pending availability)

Saturday:

We’ll join Royal Gorge Rafting  for a full day through Big Horn Canyon and the Royal Gorge, experiencing Class II–V whitewater.

Our professional guides select routes and lines appropriate to group ability and prevailing river conditions, prioritizing safety while still delivering an exciting challenge.

Sunday:

Head home bright and early.

Royal Gorge Rafting provides:

• All required rafting gear (excluding personal items such as sunscreen and sunglasses)

• Saturday lunch

• A professional photographer documenting our adventure

• Safety Kayakers

SMWP plans to purchase a shared photo package, which will be made available to all participants. Photos may be used for SMWP promotional purposes

Full Registration (SMWP Alumni Only) ($617 for ACA Members/$627 for Event Members)*

Requires a $305 deposit at registration. 

Limited to participants who have previously attended an SMWP event. If you register and are not on our list of past participants, we will respectfully request to move your registration to another option. 

This option Includes:

• Transportation in rented full-size sedans or 7-passenger SUVs

• Double-occupancy hotel accommodations; Roommates will be assigned unless a specific request is made. 

• All rafting amenities and access to the group photo package

Participants are responsible for snacks and most meals (except Saturday lunch). The hotel provides a basic breakfast.

*This price is dependent on us being able to reserve rooms at our selected hotel once initial registration closes.  If the hotel becomes unavailable, our back-up hotel costs approximately $38/person more.  In the event we are forced to reserve with our back-up hotel, you will be notified and given the option to cancel with no penalty.   

Rafting-Only Registration ($305 for ACA Members/$315 for Event Members)

Must be paid in full at registration. 

Covers:

* All amenities provided by Royal Gorge Rafting, including Saturday lunch. 

* Access to the SMWP group photo package

Transportation and lodging are not included. 

Registration opens April 1st!

Initial registration closes May 31  to secure a spot

Additional participants may be accommodated on a space-available basis

There is no minimum participation.  Maximum participation limits apply to participants wanting the full registration . A wait list will be started after 8 registrants and adjusted from there based on vehicle capacities and available drivers.  

Please review and be willing to abide by the following:

1. SMWP Community Guidelines

https://www.showmewomenpaddlers.org/community-guidelines

2. Royal Gorge Rafting Policies

https://royalgorgerafting.net/rafting-policies/

3. Royal Gorge Waiver *(do NOT sign yet)*

https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/544fd0a680d7d/web/](https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/544fd0a680d7d/web/

4. American Canoe Association Waiver *(do NOT sign yet)*

(https://americancanoe.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/aca_waiver__release_of_liab.pdf

Waiver signing instructions, a detailed itinerary and packing list will be provided to registered participants closer to the trip date. A pre-trip Zoom meeting is scheduled for September 14th.

Through May 31:  100% refund

June 1 – August 20:  $15 cancellation fee unless your rafting spot can be filled. 

August 20 – August 30th:  $305 cancellation fee

August 30th - September 23rd:  $305 cancellation fee for rafting-only participants;  $445 cancellation fee for full registrations. 

If at any time SMWP is able to fill your spot with a later registrant, your cancellation fee will be returned to you. 

Partial refunds beyond what is indicated here may be issued at SMWP’s discretion from excess funds after the trip.

Due to deposits paid to vendors, refunds will be processed after the trip concludes unless your spot is filled by a later registration.

• Gratuities for rafting guides are not included. Please plan to reward for a trip well done. 

• Rafting operates rain or shine; itinerary adjustments may occur due to weather or river conditions. These decisions will be made by the rafting company. 

• Participants must meet all safety requirements set by Royal Gorge Rafting

• If you do not wish to contribute to Zeffy, when you get to that question select "Other" then indicate $0.