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Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival

Boats, bands, beer, and bikes!

The 12th Annual Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival (RGWF) features whitewater competitions and land-based recreation events to celebrate the whitewater season. Enjoy summer flows in a fantastic whitewater setting in historic Cañon City, Colorado. Held in the refurbished and family-friendly Centennial Park, the Whitewater Festival pairs boats, bands, and beer for a weekend of fun-filled (and whitewater-fueled) events. It's the biggest party of the summer in Cañon City and one not to be missed. It's all about "Boats, Bands, Bikes, and Beer!"

Choose from whitewater events, running events, or biking events. Each event will list the experience level needed. Events range from beginner-friendly to experienced only. There's something for everyone at the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival!

To register for more than one event (keep the event times in mind), simply select 'Add another registrant' after entering your information.

Registration fees

Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees

Great Escape Family / Beginner 5K Mountain Bike Ride Closed

Experience level: Beginner You can race if you want to, or you can just enjoy the fun atmosphere and aid stations of this fun-for-all event. This course involved no technical elements and traverses flowy, beginner trails. Children as young as 6 can enjoy this event with a family member, and kids 14 and older are welcome to ride solo.

  1. $39.44
    May 25 - Jul 24

Great Escape 5K Trail Run Closed

Experience level: Beginner to advanced This course leaves from Centennial Park and travels along the Arkansas Riverwalk trail. At the Eagle Wing Trailhead, you'll enter singletrack on Wagon Trail, leading up through the center of the South Cañon trail system toward Ecology Park. Enjoy a winding, juniper-strewn descent on Mutton Bustin' and return to the park for a beginner-friendly 5K race.

  1. $39.44
    May 25 - Jul 24

Great Escape 10K Trail Run Closed

Experience level: Intermediate to Advanced You'll experience the best of lower South Cañon on this beautiful fun. Leave from Centennial Park, climb up Wagon Trail, then make a hard right to climb all of Schepp Ridge for stunning views of the town, mountains, and the Ecology Park. At the end of Schepp Ridge, you'll use Piñon Trail to merge onto Recycle. You'll start your descent on Mutton Bustin', where you'll then return to Centennial Park to awaiting spectators.

  1. $39.44
    May 25 - Jul 24

Great Escape 10K Mountain Bike Ride Closed

Experience level: Intermediate to Advanced Intermediate-level riders with the ability to navigate some technical elements will enjoy this fun and fast 6-mile course. Leave from Centennial Park, climb up Wagon Trail, then make a hard right to climb all of Schepp Ridge for stunning views of the town, mountains, and the Ecology Park. At the end of Schepp Ridge, you'll use Piñon Trail to merge onto Recycle. You'll start your descent on Mutton Bustin', where you'll then return to Centennial Park to awaiting spectators.

  1. $39.44
    May 25 - Jul 24

Build Your Own Boat Race Closed

Experience level: Beginner Build it, bring it, float it, and flaunt it! The boat with the most applause and style wins the golden coin.

  1. $108.98
    May 25 - Jul 24

Great Escape Gravel Grinder Mountain Bike Ride Closed

Experience level: Intermediate to Advanced Grab your bike and get ready to hit the gravel road, Jack. Ride up Temple Canyon road, then enjoy one of the finest downhill descents in the South Cañon Trail System. Please note that this event is for intermediate to advanced riders. All riders who have not reached the checkpoint at Ecology Park by 9:15 a.m. will be escorted off of the course and will take an alternate route back to the park. (This is to accommodate other events.)

  1. $50.14
    May 25 - Jul 24

Duckie Dash Closed

Experience level: Beginner-Advanced Grab your inflatable duckie (or borrow one) and head down the slalom course from 1st street to Centennial Park. Battle head-to-head with others. Must be at least 10 years old to participate in this event.

  1. $23.39
    May 25 - Jul 24

USRA Events - Team Captain Closed

Gorge Race/Sprint/Slalom/Head2Head

  1. $108.98
    May 25 - Jul 24

Royal Gorge Race - R6 Team Captain Closed

This race is for people experienced in the Gorge. Start at Pura Vida beach and end at the lower feature in Canon City. This race is a mass start and is over 12 miles of hard paddling.

  1. $55.49
    May 25 - Jul 24

Royal Gorge Race - Kayaks Closed

This race is for boaters experienced in the Gorge. Start at Pura Vita beach and end at the lower feature in Canon City. This race is a mass start and is over 12 miles of hard paddling.

  1. $39.44
    May 25 - Jul 24

Raft Rodeo - Team Captain Closed

The classic whitewater festival event. Who can control the wave? Will be judged by the crowed and a neutral panel of judges who use established criteria. Lower feature.

  1. $66.18
    May 25 - Jul 24

Royal Gorge Race - R4 RMR STORM TEAM MEMBER Closed

This race is for people experienced in the Gorge. Start at Yurt beach and end at the lower feature in Canon City. This race is a mass start and is over 12 miles of hard paddling. Only 4 total teams can enter this event, using provided RMR STORM RAFTS

  1. Free
    May 25 - Jul 24

Royal Gorge Race - R6 Team Member Closed

This race is for people experienced in the Gorge. Start at Pura Vida beach and end at the lower feature in Canon City. This race is a mass start and is over 12 miles of hard paddling.

  1. Free
    May 25 - Jul 24

Community Raft Race - Team Captain/Bidder Closed

Auction Starts at 5:15 Main Stage. Race leaves from Pink House at 6:15 p.m. This registration is for the person organizing the team.

  1. Free
    May 25 - Jul 24

All Hands On Deck! Closed

Anything in town that floats, get on the water! Bring your SUP, your tube, your floatie, your canoe, your barrel, your wal-mart raft, BRING ANYTHING! This is a show of force. Get on the river and show the town how many people float.

  1. Free
    May 25 - Jul 24

Greater Fremont County Floatie Rodeo Closed

Bring something that floats! Everyone launch at the same time. Stay away from the dragons who are out to tag you out. First one to finish without being tagged "out" wins.

  1. Free
    May 25 - Jul 24

RMR Storm Head 2 Head - R2 Closed

Two rafts start at the same time. You must go around one buoy on each side of the river. First one to finish moves on to the next round. Tournament

  1. $23.39
    May 25 - Jul 24

Surfing competition Closed

Can you surf the features in the park? Boogie Boards, Surf Boards. This is not the raft surfing competition.

  1. Free
    May 25 - Jul 24

SUP parade Closed

This is a SUP show of force. If you SUP come show the town. Interesting outfits encouraged.

  1. Free
    May 25 - Jul 24

SUP Head 2 Head race Closed

This is a mass start event. Competitors will navigate around two buoys, one on each side of the river. If enough sign up, this will become a tournament.

  1. $23.39
    May 25 - Jul 24

Kayak Head 2 Head race Closed

Kayaks will start at the same time, each kayak must navigate around a buoy on each side of the river. Enough sign ups will turn this into a tournament with multiple heats.

  1. $23.39
    May 25 - Jul 24

Contact information

Event contact
Ashlee Sack
Email
ashleeneva@hotmail.com
Phone
7192486376