Big Gay Raft Trip™ - July Royal Gorge Rafting and Glamping Trip 2026 Schedule

Cañon City, CO

Pitch a tent and get paddled all in the same weekend! BGRT goes glamping in this debut trip on the Arkansas River!

Pack your sunscreen, your best pair of short shorts, and just a little bit of flair. The Big Gay Raft Trip™ is a weekend of sunshine, splashes, and spectacular scenery in the heart of Colorado’s Royal Gorge Region. Whether you’re here to conquer whitewater, sip cocktails under canyon sunsets, or simply make a few hundred new friends, this is the summer adventure you didn’t know you needed. Come solo or bring your crew, you’ll leave with a whole raft of new besties.

It's Big and Gay at the Royal Gorge

Date: July 10 - 12, 2026

Your weekend begins with a welcome cocktail and a fabulous little stroll around Starlite Vintage Resort, where retro roadside charm meets modern comfort and just a hint of vintage mischief. Named the #1 Vintage Trailer Hotel by USA Today, Starlite is a technicolor playground of restored trailers, cozy cabins, and RV sites. Whether you’re a glamper, a camper, or just here for the cocktails, there’s a spot with your name on it. Best of all, we’ve secured exclusive access to the entire resort, so the only people you’ll see all weekend are your fellow rafters and whatever handsome strangers happen to wander past your trailer.

When it’s time to get wet (calm down, we mean the river), buses will pick us up at Starlite and whisk us off to the Arkansas River. We’ll start by splashing through the playful rapids of Bighorn Sheep Canyon, giving everyone a chance to warm up their paddling muscles and perfect their dramatic “I’m falling out of the raft” face. Midway through the trip, our guides will pull over to cook a riverside lunch before we float into the spectacular walls of the Royal Gorge, passing directly beneath the iconic Royal Gorge Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in North America. The canyon is breathtaking, the water is exhilarating, and yes… we're all virgins for this trip!

Not feeling the rafting fantasy? No judgment here. You can hop into a Jeep tour and explore the rugged beauty of the Royal Gorge region from dry land. This off-road adventure includes a ride across the Royal Gorge Bridge itself, offering jaw-dropping views and a little adrenaline without having to paddle for it.

If your ideal adventure involves a comfy seat and a cocktail instead of a paddle, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad might be calling your name. This scenic two-hour train ride departs from Cañon City and glides along the Arkansas River through the gorge and beneath the Royal Gorge Bridge. It’s one of the most relaxing ways to soak in the towering canyon walls and fascinating geology… and frankly a perfect excuse to sip something bubbly while someone else does the driving.

Whether you’re here to paddle hard, ride wild, or simply lounge in vintage trailer glamour, the weekend promises big scenery, great company, and just enough splash to keep things interesting.

Because the best part of the Big Gay Raft Trip™ isn’t just the rapids, the Jeeps, or even the trains… it’s the people. Every year new friendships are made, old friends return, and the weekend somehow becomes the highlight of everyone’s summer.

Make plans to grab a spot on the raft, Jeep, or train, because the Royal Gorge is calling… and she’s feeling fabulous.

Trip Details

Friday

Take the day off and join us at the Starlite Vintage Resort for check-in and happy hour. Details are still in the works.

Saturday

Rafting: We'll be picked up for our rafting adventure right at the Starlite where we'll be fitted with helmets and life vests to compliment your biceps and board shorts. After a catwalk style introduction of the guides we'll load up (pun intended) on classic yellow school busses for the scenic ride up the Arkansas River to our rafting put-in spot. The bus ride is short, scenic, and just long enough to determine who's bringing the sunscreen, and who's bringing the drama.

We'll help unload the equipment (unless you handled equipment on the bus) and pile in rafts in groups of 6. We'll raft the Sheep Canyon section in the morning and Royal Gorge section of the river in the afternoon. We'll stop for lunch at a nice sandy beach along the river where the guides will serve up the meat and hot buns with some cold beverages to wash it all down! Lunch is included and vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options will be available if requested at the time of ticket purchase.

This trip is best for those with prior rafting experience or truly adventurous. The Arkansas River is significantly more dangerous and participants will need to listen to their guide, paddle, and be sober.

All necessary equipment including helmets, life vests, and splash jackets (if requested) will be provided. Trip is strictly for adults 21 or over. Consumption of alcohol is prohibited on this trip. Coolers and gear bags are also not allowed. Water in a factory sealed bottle is permitted. Anyone appearing impaired, consuming alcohol, marijuana, or other substances will be removed from the trip and no refunds will be given.

Train and Wine Tasting: Start the day aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad riding beneath the Royal Gorge Bridge with dramatic canyon views. Dome car seating offers elevated views, access to the open-air car, and the option to order food and beverages from the 402 Grill (meals not included, but highly recommended). Upon your return to the station you'll tour the historic and beautifully restored Gibson Mansion for a photo-worthy glimpse of life in the late 1800's followed by a VIP wine tasting at the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey featuring a curated flight of wines with meats and cheeses between pours.

Evening: After a day of canyon adventures, the party floats right back to Starlite Vintage Resort. Lounge by the pool, swap river stories, or wander between trailers making new friends along the way.

For dinner, we'll pile back on those big yellow limousines and head into Cañon City for dinner and strolling through the historic downtown area. We'll provide restaurant reccommendations, but the bill is all yours. As the sun sets behind the mountains and the stars come out over the Arkansas Valley, the yellow limousine brings us back to the resort which has turned into our own little retro playground of laughter, music, and maybe a little naughty fun.

Sunday

Jeep Tour & Royal Gorge Bridge Crossing: We'll depart the Starlite Resort at 9:30am for a one of a kind Jeep tour of the Royal Gorge Region. After navigating Skyline Drive's razor thin road and steep drop-offs on either side, we'll enter the Royal Gorge Bridge Park via exclusive access to the south entrance allowing our tour to be the only vehicles to drive across the bridge. There will be time for photos, browsing the gift shop, walking across the bridge, and and for the truly adventurous, a zipline ride across the Royal Gorge on one of the highest ziplines in the world! Food and beverages are available for purchase in the park. We'll return to the Starlite at 3pm

Make it a Long Weekend and Stay Sunday Night! While the event and resort exclusivity officially ends Sunday, if you don't have to rush home plan to spend another night at the Starlite or move to a swanky AirBnB in town. The Royal Gorge Region offers world-class mountain biking, hiking, and other adventures. If you'd like more info email Ladd@biggayrafttrip.com

More trip details including pricing will be added as they are finalized, and some event details are subject to change before registration opens.

Registration Information

Each activity will be ticketed separately. Capacity for rafting is limited so we break in the new rafting company gently. Reservations for the Starlite Vintage Resort cannot be made on their website but you can look at the campers, RVs, amd layout of the park to get an idea of lodging features amd amenities.

Registration will open May 2, 2026 at 10am MT

Rafting must be booked by July 6, 2026 (unless sold out sooner). Your reservation is fully-refundable through June 27, 2026, minus a $20 per attendee administration fee. Non-refundable after June 27, 2026.