The 14th 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! All event participants will receive FREE entry to the festival on the day of their event.
Online registration is now closed so we can prep participation lists and bibs. If you'd like to register for an event, you can still do so in person.
Whitewater events: Visit the white registration tent at the festival at least 30 minutes before your intended event.
Great Escape Trail events: Register at packet pickup at Centennial Park (north-west corner) on Friday from 5:30-7:30 pm or on Saturday morning at least 30 minutes prior to your intended event. Prices are $5 more than listed on the website.
Registration fees
Great Escape 5K Trail Run - Sat., July 22 Closed
Experience level: Beginner to advanced This course leaves from Centennial Park and travels along the Arkansas Riverwalk trail. You'll cross over the river at the pedestrian bridge, head toward Tunnel Drive, and turn around at the Trailhead (or go up the hill for a beautiful view and a little extra elevation gain). Return to the park for a nice, easy second half and post-run celebration at the park.
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$20.00May 9 - Jul 19
Great Escape 10K Trail Run - Sat., July 22 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.
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$20.00May 9 - Jul 19
Great Escape Family / Beginner 5K Mountain Bike Ride - Sat., July 22 Closed
Experience level: Beginner Coming Home Realty 5K Family / Beginner Mountain Bike Ride Location: Arkansas Riverwalk Start Time: 9:45 a.m. Distance: ~4 miles Elevation Gain / loss: 279 feet Course: Along the Arkansas Rivewalk to Tunnel Dr. Cost: $35 for adults / $15 kids (discount at checkout) Bring the kiddos! Try a mountain bike event for the first time! This low-stakes and super-fun course will allow mountain bikers of all experience levels to enjoy participating in an event. This course follows the Arkansas Riverwalk west to Tunnel Drive and has very little elevation gain. Youth as young as 6 years old may enjoy this course (our younger on a bike seat), and kids as young as 10 are welcome to ride solo. This course leaves from Centennial Park and travels along the Arkansas Riverwalk trail to the trailhead at Tunnel Drive. Turn around at the trailhead or climb the hill for an extra high-five and a sweet view. Return to the park for a beginner-friendly 5K race.
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$15.00
(Per person)
May 9 - Jul 19
Great Escape 10K Mountain Bike Ride - Sat., July 22 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.
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$20.00May 9 - Jul 19
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.
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$100.00May 9 - Jul 19
Great Escape Grinder Mountain Bike Ride - Sat. July 22 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.)
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$35.00May 9 - Jul 19
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.
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$20.00May 9 - Jul 19
USRA Events - Team Captain Closed
Gorge Race/Sprint/Slalom/Head2Head
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$100.00May 9 - Jul 19
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.
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$50.00May 9 - Jul 19
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.
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$35.00May 9 - Jul 19
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.
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$60.00May 9 - Jul 19
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.
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$20.00May 9 - Jul 19
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.
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$20.00May 9 - Jul 19
SUP parade Closed
This is a SUP show of force. If you SUP come show the town. Interesting outfits encouraged.
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FreeMay 9 - Jul 19
Surfing competition Closed
Can you surf the features in the park? Boogie Boards, Surf Boards. This is not the raft surfing competition.
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FreeMay 9 - Jul 19
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
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$20.00May 9 - Jul 19
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.
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FreeMay 9 - Jul 19
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.
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FreeMay 9 - Jul 19
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.
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FreeMay 9 - Jul 19
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.
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FreeMay 9 - Jul 19
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
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FreeMay 9 - Jul 19
Contact information
- Event contact
- Ashlee Sack
- ashleeneva@hotmail.com
- Phone
- 7192486376
