Big Gay Raft Trip™
Glenwood Springs, CO
The Big Gay Raft Trip combines whitewater rafting and social events into a weekend of adventure in two scenic Colorado locations for the LGBTQ+ community and friends. This summer marks our 19th year and our first trip on the world famous Arkansas River through the Royal Gorge. Each event brings together 130+ guys and gals from all over Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Nebraska and around the country for a weekend of whitewarter rafting and chill social gatherings.
About The Big Gay Raft Trip™
The Big Gay Raft Trip™ began in 2008 with a little persistence and a simple idea. Solomon was working as a raft guide at the time and kept pestering his friend Ladd to come rafting. Ladd, newly single and looking for something fun to do, tried to convince his friends to join him, but nobody seemed particularly excited about the idea.
So he took matters into his own hands.
Ladd created a public event on Connexion.org, a now-defunct social networking site for the LGBTQ+ community, hoping maybe seven people would sign up so they could fill a single raft. Instead, nearly 50 people showed up that first year, turning a small experiment into something much bigger than expected.
Since then, The Big Gay Raft Trip™ has grown into a twice-a-year tradition, with more than 130 people joining each trip for a weekend of rafting, community, and adventure.
From the very beginning, the trips have been guided by three core principles:
- Create a welcoming, friendly event that people look forward to returning to year after year.
- Increase the visibility of LGBTQ+ people in Glenwood Springs.
- Promote Glenwood Springs as a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ travelers by supporting its hot springs, restaurants, and local tourism.
In 2024, Ladd moved from Denver to Cañon City for a career change, placing him near another of Colorado’s legendary rafting destinations: the Arkansas River. With this new backyard playground, The Big Gay Raft Trip™ continues to grow.
In 2026, we’re launching a third trip with a slightly different flavor, combining rafting with a glamping-style experience and the trip is open to non-rafting participants as well.
What started as a hope to fill one raft has become a thriving community tradition built around rivers, laughter, and showing up exactly as you are.
